Representative Todd Akin is running for the Missouri Senate (Latinopost.com)
Never have I witnessed a single statement truly show the incompetence and ignorance of an individual, let alone a politician. But Rep. Todd Akin sure made it possible. When asked by a reporter if he would oppose abortion in instances of rape, the Missouri congressman implied that women cannot get pregnant unless it is a ‘legitimate rape.’
“It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare,” Akin told KTVI-TV. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. 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 of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”
As opposed to an illegitimate rape? That’s the problem with some politicians these days. No matter how far they get backed into a corner, they will do literally anything to try and save face.
However, if you are so inclined to adhere to your pro-life position as to imply it is ‘really rare’ for women to get pregnant when raped, it’s time to reassess what you stand for.
Even Mitt Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin “disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape,” according to Romney spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg.
There’s no sugar coating extenuating circumstances, and disregarding the physical and psychological harm done to women who are victims of rape is disheartening and unacceptable.
It took over 24 hours to hear a legitimate apology (yes this can be distinguishable) from Akin, who will not step out of the race for the Missouri senate despite the urging of his peers.
“The good people of Missouri nominated me, and I’m not a quitter,” said Akin. I guess Richard Nixon wasn’t a crook either, but that didn’t stop him from resigning as President during Watergate.
Call it a wrong choice of words or a brain fart; Akin has essentially ruined his campaign and put the Republican party under a deeper lens of the microscope that is politics. Yet instead of swallowing any pride that coincided with his run for Senator, Akin instead chooses stubbornness and resiliency at about the most inopportune time as his comments on abortion and rape.
And no matter how much Akin fights to salvage his campaign, you simply can’t un-bake a cake.
This is a car beyond repair, a scar that will never heal, and a hemophiliac’s worst nightmare: a wound that won’t stop bleeding.