In a rare form of unity, Republican leaders joined Democrats in condemning GOP Senate nominee Todd Akin's comments over the weekend suggesting "legitimate rape" rarely causes pregnancy.
While discussing his opposition to abortion tied to instances of rape, the conservative Missouri congressman told a TV station, "First of all, from what I understand from doctors, [pregnancy from rape] is really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Rep. Akin continued, "But let's assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child." Akin backtracked later, saying he "misspoke." But the damage had already been done.
The Romney campaign issued a statement following the completely scientifically inaccurate comments saying, "Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," his campaign said in a statement Sunday.
Just to make sure that message came out loud and clear, Romney addressed the issue himself on Monday. "Congressman’s Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable and, frankly, wrong," Mitt Romney said, distancing his campaign from his fellow Republican. "Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive."
Based upon his understanding of how human biology works, the DCCC started a petition to remove him from the House Science and Technology Committee.
Massachusetts Senate candidate Scott Brown formally called for his resignation from the Missouri Senate race. "As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin's comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong. There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking,” Brown said.
Akin's Democratic opponent, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill did not call for his resignation. Instead, she told MSNBC she hopes her challenger's remarks serve as a "gut check" for voters in November.
"I spent 10 years as a prosecutor in the courtroom and did hundreds and hundreds of rape cases, held their hands, cried with them," McCaskill said. "That’s why for me this is incredibly painful, because it shows how many people are out there sometimes in very important positions that just don’t understand the trauma and don’t understand what it means."
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Leave him where he is so that a democrat can replace him in November.
RAPE is RAPE. i am still shaking me head around the comment "made" by a male who "assumes" he knows how a woman's body works. it does not surprise me just how out of touch the republican party continues to be with issues in the main stream. but this also goes to show us all, you get what you vote for.
heres something i have not heard a comment on, if there is no aboritions allowed what happens to all the unwanted children ? i think the women should take the children that were forced on them and give them to the goveners and senators and congress men who forced the women to have them
McCaskill is the sitting Senator and a democrat, the incumbent but it is (was) one of the races the republicans think they could win in an effort to get the majority. I believe I have heard romney say even in instances of rape, abortion is not acceptible, now he is turning around again.
You can be sure if the Republicans control the presidency, the senate and the house all these things will be passed. Romney really isn't concerned with that ethic one way or the other, he will always answer to the people he believes will get him or keep him in office.
Yeah...and Harry Reid heard someone say Romney didn't pay anytaxes for 10 years. I heard someone say...I seem to remember somone saying....what a line of bullcrap, Michael.
Since tomorrow is the last day he can resign, it probably won't happen. I prefer that he stay in the race and drag his party down with him.
This is just further evidence that the GOP's War on Women is alive and kicking. I cannot believe that Republicans do not worry about alienating a demographic that is 51% of our society. If women do not speak up in this election cycle, their voices will have been silenced for some time to come.
If you truly believe the republican party has a war on women, then you are only listening to what MSNBC and the dems spew!! Not true. I am a woman, and nearly 80 percent of my female friends plan to vote conservative!! Amen to the Romne and Ryan finally having the guts to take on the tough issues!! It is the only party to be brave enough...just as Scott Walker did here in our Wisconsin.
Breaking news... Karl--aka Turd Blossom--Rove's Super Pac, Americans for Prosperity, has just pulled funding for attack ads against McCaskill in Missouri...
Bears repeating: he's on the House Science and Technology Committee!
How old is the universe, Todd?
Do not worry folks, R will flip-flop on this just like he does everything else when he hears what his other repub/repukes are spouting.
It will not take long till he is a real FAN of Akin, I am thinking about 24 hours!
Three posts on the same sorry subject. Must have hit the rape fantasy nerve that Little Larry in the closet holds in dark secret to get such prominant treatment.
How about canning this distraction...one man in America that made an ignorant and indefensible off hand comment in an interview in a Mid-Western state in the Bible belt is not a national crisis, such as the state of our economy, the even more wretched state of our nation's fiscal situation, the Obama administations insane energy policies and practices, and the flagging state of our nation's Defense. Perhaps is because Romney is leading Obama in over 30 men and women voters, and that Obama's support amongst under 30 voters is down 13% from what he obtained in 20008? That married women support Romney far more than they do Obama? So Little Lying Larry and this Obama loving network need to push this out to the hysterics in our land who will obsess on this bizarre and isolated individual's statement, and try to paint the whole Republican Party with a red brush of shame. How juvenile, O'Donnell.
Amen Keith !!! Agree. MSNBC talks about the "stupid" party!!! Cat calling the kettle black.
If The Government Ever Forces a Woman Who was Raped...To have the Child....
Who is Supposed to Support The Child.?
The Rapist ? Would He Not Be In Jail ?
Magi.......
Thw government isn't forcing anything...they just want to deterine how the tax payers money is spent, Maji.
If the Government ever forces a woman to have a child even if they have been raped.
Then who is Responcible for the Childs Support.?
The Rapist,? Whould He not be in Jail...?
Magi.......
i would think the congress and senate those who vote for no abortions should be responsible for the unwanted children
Sorry for the double Post. But Think about the Question..
And Would the Child Get Free Health Care.?
Who Would Be responsible...Romney....Ryan..?
Magi.......
Magi........
Search "Rape Victim Abortion Funding by Kristen Schaal" she defined rape for Jon Stewart. Seriously, watch the video.
The GOP is throwing Akin under the bus.... The only reason they are even telling him to step down is NOT that they disagree with his views and policies which they helped write and backed but rather don't want to lose their possible seat in the senate and presidential election. As Romney said himself. "Akin should spend 24 hours considering what will best help the country at this critical time."What he's saying is that we need to first do what ever it takes to get in by beign vague and ambiguous and then make these changes whether redefining rape or otherwise because it's best for the country. You better believe even if they say "rape" their definition of rape is not our definition of rape. We do not have a meeting of the minds It's truly terrifying!
Don't know why the Romney/Ryan ticket is opposing Akin, THEY SHARE THE SAME POLICIES!
Politics as usual. FYI, voters, especially Women, are certainly up to snuff on all issues concerning their health, family finances, health care and everything else.
I absolutely have enjoyed watching Lawrence tonight!! He sounds like such a child, and is just so worked up about how good the republican ticket is !! The worst he behaves, the more we conservatives know how worried he it!!!! Lovin it!!!!!! I'm from WI, and laughed at the propaganda and lies MSNBC put out about the recall. We knew what was going on here..and that Scott Walker would win bigger than the first time around..it will be the same in the presidential election!! The majority of Wisconsinites are voting conservative...and really want Obama gone. Can't wait to watch election night!!!