I just read this plea on behalf of Todd Akin by none other than David Catanese at Politico. The first money tweet:
"Poor phrasing, but if you watch the intv @ToddAkin meant to convey that there's less chance of getting pregnant if raped," he said.
Then this:
"So perhaps some can agree that all rapes that are reported are not actually rapes? Or are we gonna really deny that for PC sake?" he said. "So looks like he meant to say -- 'If a woman was REALLY raped, it's statistically less likely for her to get pregnant.' What's the science?"
What's the science, David? Why don't you do your job and dig a little. I found the answer (below) in about 30 seconds. Catanese wrote the Politico cover story about Akin's comments. More below the squiggle.
Catanese's article is pretty much about the GOP handwringing over Akin's execreble remarks. Nothing about the easily ascertainable fact that over 32,000 victims of rape get pregnant. This is based on a 1996 study that pretty much stands as the unrefuted standard on this point. But heaven forbid that Mr. Catanese actually do, you know, research on the subject. Apparently what passes for journalism at Politico is fielding a couple of "woe is us" phone calls from some Republican operatives. This after leading the article with Akin's non-apology.
Politico of course is so concerned about journalistic ethics that they fired Joe Williams, an African American reporter for tweeting some mocking comments about Romney. Will they do the same to Catanese? Or is this an example of IOKIYR? Or maybe Politico will show its backbone and defend Catanese defending Akin, so they don't fall victim to that dreaded "PC," David tweets about.
Who is David Catanese? He has a masters in journalism from Medill at Northwestern, lessons apparently that are now long forgotten. But he does enjoy a good joke:
A proud native of Washington, New Jersey, he has an affinity for ‘the Shore’, hip hop music, most programming on HBO and Showtime and anybody who gets the joke. Feel free to send him an e-mail at dcatanese@politico.com.
Well, I'm not laughing.
8:57 AM PT: UPDATE: This morning Catanese decided he wasn't "taking sides" His latest tweet:
Re last night: Bad idea trying to have nuanced conversation on highly charged issue on here. Did not intend to take a side. Lesson learned.
I guess there are two sides to this debate: legitimate rape and not so legitimate. This takes false equivalence to new heights. I mean, even Willard has seen the light (sort of). Again, why does Catanese still have a job?