Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
As I posted the other day in The GOP war on women: define 'legitimate' rape, "Rep. Todd Akin's comment reflects the mainstream view of the majority of the Tea-Publican Caucus in Congress. Akin's ignorant comment is not the product of the lunatic ravings of a madman. But that is what the GOP would have you believe today as they attempt to distance themselves from Akin's ignorant comment and to throw him under the bus."
GOP campaign operatives are calling on Rep. Akin to exit the race and throw him under the bus for having the temerity to speak what the majority of the Tea-Publican Party actually believes. Rep. Akin should be the keynote speaker at the GOP convention.
E.J. Montini of the Arizona Republic picks up this theme in his column today, It sounds like Mo. Rep. Akin should be a GOP spokesman:
Missouri Rep. Todd Akin must be very confused.
He's a vehement anti-abortionist with a 12th-century (or perhaps Neanderthal) view of women's rights. His position on abortion happens to be shared by the Republican Party's vice-presidential nominee, Paul Ryan.
So, why would Republicans have a problem with Akin claiming a woman's body can prevent pregnancy in the event of a "legitimate rape"?
Particularly because the party's platform, which will be considered at the upcoming Republican National Convention, includes an anti-abortion position that allows no exception for rape or incest.
[On Wednesday, the GOP platform committee approved the language. GOP platform: No abortions, and no exceptions for rape]
It's a position shared just as vehemently by Arizona's Rep. Trent Franks, who tried to get a ban on abortions after 20 weeks gestation passed by Congress. The proposal included no exception for rape victims. (The bill failed.)
So, why then are top party officials trying to get Akin to withdraw from Missouri's U.S. Senate race?
And why are other Republicans trying to distance themselves from him? If Akin doesn't believe in allowing a woman to have an abortion, even if she's raped, then his view on how she gets pregnant really doesn't matter.
And if the party doesn't believe a woman should have the right to an abortion, even in the event of rape or incest, why should it be upset about Akin's comments?
Sounds, instead, like he could be a party spokesman.
Agreed.
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