On Tuesday night, Republican Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock forgot to moderate some of his extreme views, declaring during a debate that when a woman becomes pregnant during a rape, "that's something God intended," which is why he's comfortable with laws that force women impregnated by rapists to take their pregnancy to term.
Jay Leno helped keep the story alive, asking President Obama about the controversy on NBC's "The Tonight Show."
For those who can't watch clips online, Obama seemed to summarize the thoughts of many when he said, "I don't know how these guys come up with these ideas." It wasn't long before the president connected the controversy to the bigger picture.
"[T]his underscores, though, this is exactly why you don't want a bunch of politicians -- mostly male -- making decisions about women's health care decisions. Women are capable of making these decisions in consultation with their partners, with their doctors. And, you know, for politicians to want to intrude in this stuff, often times without any information, is a huge problem. And this is obviously a part of what's at stake in this election. You've got a Supreme Court that, typically a president is going to have probably another couple of appointments during the course of his term. And, you know, Roe vs. Wade is probably hanging in the balance. You've got issues like Planned Parenthood where, you know, that organization provides millions of women cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, all kinds of basic healthcare.
"And so I think it's really important for us to -- to understand that women are capable of making these decisions and that these are not just women's issues. These are family issues."
As it turns out, Obama wasn't the only national figure talking about Mourdock's mess; the president's 2008 rival was, too.
In fact, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had thrown his support to the Indiana Republican, but is now reconsidering.
"I think it depends on what he does," McCain told CNN's Anderson Cooper, when asked if he still counts himself among Mourdock's supporters. "If he apologizes and says he misspoke and he was wrong and he asks the people to forgive him, then obviously I'd be the first. ... But, you know, in the years that I've been around, I've made a few, Anderson, and I've asked for people's understanding and forgiveness when I won't -- when I own up to it," he continued. "It's when you don't own up to it when people will not believe you."
As of this morning, Mourdock has not backed down. Mitt Romney, who has championed Mourdock's candidacy, also has not made any additional efforts to distance himself from the right-wing Senate candidate.
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Women of the United States of America, get out and vote!!! Now more than ever are your civil liberties under attack. The issue of pro-choice or not is not the real issue, the real issue is whether or not you have a choice. If the Romney/Ryan ticket wins it is clear you will have no choice. So it doesn't matter if you are Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, or an Atheist, RAPE is Rape, period. You know where Romney stands on this issue, oh that's right you don't. Governor Romney has more flip flops than a party on the beach. My one question that no one seems to be asking is this; Who is responsible for raising the child that is a result from this CRIMINAL, Sexually Deviant act? With the Republican Party wanting to reduce the size of government and especially programs for those people, who is responsible for taking care of these poor souls who are brought into this world in this fashion??
Who is going to decide if the rape is legitimate?
Referencing Mourdock's statements show the problem with voters themselves people voting on party lines rather than policy directions. Although, various individuals calling for him to apologize because that makes it all better. Apologies are cosmetic and are only meant to fool the public with the appearance of error. After all these career politicians don't want to lose their (pretend to actually be working) job, and have to go back to working retail jobs where their mentality belongs. stocking shelves at the big box discount store
Exactly. Even if he did mouth an acceptable apology, you know that he meant what he said originally because it was spontaneous. An apology is something that was forced out of him for expedience' sake. If he is elected, he will act on his actual beliefs, not his "apology."
I'd like to know what Republican women really think - that is those who are allowed to - about this Mourdock/Akin/Ryan/Romney mess. You know - the "I know God's will for your life"; "God gave your body a way to ignore the rape, so do it - turn off the mechanism"; "I will be happy to sign the bill that allows absolutely NO rapes!" I wonder what Republican women really think! And the husbands who love and support those women - do they think or are they just followers too?
It's called denial, the strongest force in the universe! It's called I hate the President more than I love my own freedom. It's called turning your life over to someone who will do all the hard thinking for you so you don't need to be inconvenienced by life's complexities!
The part of denial that is most prevalent with those women, and is the reason that they are so susceptible to the attitude that "she was asking for it," is that they want to believe that it couldn't happen to them. As long as they can blame the woman who was raped and punish her, then they feel safe from rape themselves "knowing" that since they didn't "ask for it", it won't happen to them.
If they accepted that the victim was in fact a victim and not at fault, then the world becomes a much more dangerous place.
I have been reading that an awful lot of the denial is in the form of "they won't really move this kind of legislation. No sane person would attempt to move this kind of legislation" ... and this is as regards choice, taxes, Medicare, everything.
Why would you vote for someone who you believe is LYING ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL DO?
JOJO: I hate giving Palin credit for anything, but I'll give her this... when her daughter found herself with an "unplanned pregnancy" she didn't whisk her off to fix the situation. That was her choice.
But when and if the choice is no longer available for ALL women, how many of those right wingers will do the same?
Choice will always be available for the rich with money and means through private hospitals or visits to far away places.
As for choice:
Religion brainwashes women from an early age that abortion is murder. They threaten girls/women with eternal damnation if she chooses to end a pregnancy for any reason. There is very little chance for women to make a rational personal choice with the threat of hell looming over them.
Religion has done real damage to women's power of choice by crippling them in their decisions from the get-go!
Indeed , even in the face of the fact that ryan supported such legislation with AKIN the pig , and romney IS a moron extremist , and would be the 1st religious extremist to ever be elected in america , their excuses are worthless about this
Romney and so called moderate Republicans at least sometimes claim to allow abortions when the life of the mother is at stake and in cases of rape and incest. But no one is talking about the life of the child. Last spring with abortion was discussed on this blog, there were many posts by women who had faced the possibility of deciding whether to have an abortion because the child was going to be born with serious even fatal defects.
I am 72, have never been pregnant, but I have always wanted the option of a legal, safe abortion to be available in the case of a mal-formed fetus. My reason for this opinion is not only because of the suffering, both economic and emotional of the parents, but also because of the suffering of the child.
Think about this! The women is raped,lives through the shame and humiliation of this nightmare.Then only to find out shes pregnant!With out any options.Because of a Romney, Ryan ticket.She then has to carry this child for 9mo. being reminded everyday why shes pregnant.and not wanting this child.but has no options.But to have it. Will this Rape baby be loved? or abused? will the mother look at this child everyday knowing full well that this baby was never wanted! And reminds the child everyday of its life.That he or she was not wanted! There are enough children in this country being abused! And nothings being done to prevent it.so now were going to add to the problem,by bring more unwanted children into this world.and who's going to pay for all of these kids?not the republicans if they have there way! Just saying!!!
There you go again Sen. McCain – being the maverick! I disagree with McCain on just about every issue. But I try to remind myself that he is a man with integrity and there are some lines he won't cross. During a rally in '08 one of his supporters derisively said Obama was "an Arab". McCain's response was :
McCain did the right thing then and I think he's doing the right thing now. It takes courage, something that Romney seems to lack.
Sen. McCain, I spoke too soon! Now your campaign is saying:
What happened senator?!? Did your Maverick badge expire overnight?!?
McCain is just assuming the "position" don't ya know!
I thought McCain's response was lame. What's an apology worth when your fundamental beleifs remain the same? What was the apology for? For believing what he believes? Or was it for saying out loud?
They are men. They can't get pregnant or have babies. They don't care. I am just so tired of these self-righteous pigs thinking THEY have the answers for women. No man in this society has the right to tell women what to do with their bodies. If they could have babies, there would be an abortion clinic on every corner and they would be free.
I certainly hope there is no moderated messages from these radicals. There words need to be accepted as their truth and their agenda and no apologies or walking back of their hateful statements should be accepted. Mitt and puppyboy need to be questioned every day about personhood amendments. They need to own their peers legislated actions in the red states and be made to speak clearly about equality and justice for women.
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If some dark night he caught a baseball bat back of the head, would that also be God's will?
So here's the question I think these trogs should be asked:
Suppose the law reflects your belief. Suppose your daughter has been raped, and during the month she is in the hospital recovering from her physical injuries, it is discovered she is pregnant. After she is released to a psychiatric hospital where she will spend the next 6 months trying to get her head around what happened and what your legislating has forced on her, she tells you she never wants to see or speak with you again.
Will you arrange to adopt the child and raise it?
While McCain, Ayotte and company are hoping to display integrity by distancing themselves from a hot political topic, their continued support of Romney, the leader of a Republican party that has spent OUR tax dollars in attempts to disenfranchise US citizens, shows how little integrity they really have.
What is the difference between denying Americans the right to make personal decisions, and shooting a 14 year old in the head because she disagrees with the local patriarch?
The Teaprty/Taliban are afraid of women making decisions. They would deprive any who disagree with them a voice.
Good point. There is really no difference. It is all male dominated control. Why they are so insecure is beyond me.
They are afraid we will refuse to have sex with them and that they cannot father sons to carry on their names and genes.
Women have a power that no man has. She can bear children. She needs a man to impregnate her, but she can now get that artificially.
If a women can get a good job at the same rate of pay as men, she does not need a man to survive. She does not have to sell her body to live a good life. That means that men have to be interesting, responsible, caring, etc. to get access to a woman's woom. He has to accept her as a friend and partner and not as a cute, ignorant little girl who is willing to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.
Come on now bflynch,
Aren't you being a little hard on the guys? After all they do come in handy for taking out the trash and the heavy lifting!
just kidding :)
The republicans keep talking about "smaller government, smaller government." You can't get much bigger than sticking your hand up a woman's vagina!!! and have they considered regarding abortion that a 13 year old female's body is not physically ready to give birth!!! and what if the woman's rapist is not known, what then? No one gets punished EXCEPT the woman. we cannot go back to the 50s on this. It's so hard to understand why abortion has become their platform. and also regarding abortion, vasectomies and condoms are forms of birth control, and probably should also be regulated like they want to regulate a woman's choices.
Thirty-one (31,31,31,31) states give parental rights to the rapist.
I am so sick & tired of these deeply disturbed religious people always trying to foist their views & beliefs on everyone else! It seems the GOP has taken up the mantle of those in the middle east who shoot & kill kids & women for having an opinion & the guts to voice it. We are not quite there yet, but who knows?
I adhere to the oft spoken adage my parents felt was important; "LIVE & LET LIVE" ! I'm unable to get my head around the fact, that there are women in this country that will vote to put mitt wit & his ilk into office, so their rights & liberties can be farther eroded.
Now does this mean we have to check if the doe is pregnant during hunting season? How about is the baby an accessory if a pregnant woman kills her husband?
Did Bachman talk them into this so she could increase the size of her orphanage oops her group of foster children that she raised while being a working Mom.
Maybe the girl could ask to go to prison where we can spend 52000 to keep her more than a raped high school girl forced to quit school would make while trying to raise a child that reminds her over and over again of her good luck or wondering why God punished her by deciding this on her.
Or finally if Gods predestination is so singular then maybe we don't need laws at all and we can all die by predestination or Gods will.
The distraction gained by this perennial issue is to lose the election's focus. Don't fall for it.
"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side." ~Aristotle
"Religion is what keeps the poor from killing the rich." ~Napoleon Bonaparte
I do not understand why abortion and contraception are political issues. I had always thought they were personal and family matters. Of course, I am 83, so that may explain it.
It's nothing to do with your age Dick. This has been my question exactly! They want to overturn Roe versus Wade and stop all abortion clinics from providing services. Why the Reps. feel the need to pry into these personal affairs is beyond me!
I sncerely hope a large majority of women agree with Tracey!
As an amateur philosopher, I have to ask: If it is the will of God that the rape resulted in pregnancy, how do we know that it is not the will of God that the pregnancy is ended by an abortion? A loving God is not one that would require a woman to have a permanent reminder of what is most likely the worst, most horrific event in her life.
Richard Mourdock thinks rape is a bad thing,
But getting pregnant by rape is a blessing.
However it's done,
God created that bun.
To complain; An offense meriting jailing.
https://www.facebook.com/PoliticallyCorrectLimericks
They are Theocrats.
A new super pack 'fostered' by polliticians against abortion is receiving donations faster than they can deposit it into slush fund accounts.
Investigations indicate the money in the slush funds has a primary spending target.
Strategists have determined that pregnant women who want abortions are being heavily targeted by advertisers of the Polliticians Having Unsatisfied Congressional Kinks In Tumult (PHUCKIT) organization.
The organ-ization is said to be marketing nation wide to pregnant women their Revenge Against Prevention of Excitement (RAPE) product. The package includes a film crew (usually a pornographic film company), a rapist (usually a pollitician with a halloween mask) and an affidavit signed by the rapist (usually using an assumed name like Akin Fallos or Moredock Rock).
A spokesman for PHUCKIT said the affidavits ensure that the rapes are legitimate. The affidavits can be used to substantiate rape and make abortion AOK.
--As reported by Jack Unplugged of News Organization for Satyrical Hyperbole In Transition (NO@!$%#).
What I find odd and disturbing is that these otherwise educated white men (of which I too am one, but not that proud of it at the moment, we tend to really screw things up sometimes)can be so bat@!$%# crazy. And illogical. If you believe in freewill, fine. A rapist has freewill. He exercised it. But the consequences are visited on him only if he gets caught. Or has a conscience. Which if you're rapist is probably in short supply. The girl is impacted beyond a man's capacity to understand. We can't possibly. But for a moment seperate the emotion of the argummnt and , like Paul Ryan, size it up like an emotion -free snake . If God gives freewill to the rapist and the product of that is a pregnancy for a woman, then the God ordained plan was that the pregnancy could only be acheived through rape. So following this thinking, Mr Dick Mourdouche, God ordained rape. So you said what you meant even though you didn't realize it and you only back pedaled when your staff told you about the mess you created.
Now, that child may grow up, if carried to term and loved unconditionally, to be a great leader and thinker and contribute to the betterment of our society. Or if not loved , then possibly host a "news" show on Fox. But to force a woman to carry a pregnancy through this way is wrong. It's goverment intrusion of the worst sort.
I'm voting for Donnelly because on this and so many other issues, he votes and voices his truth and is still responsive to the wishes of his constituency. So there.
"As an amateur philosopher, I have to ask: If it is the will of God that the rape resulted in pregnancy, how do we know that it is not the will of God that the pregnancy is ended by an abortion?"
William Francis, THAT is a great argument. If only I had the gift of brevity.