Can utter morons misspeak?
Just yesterday, MO-2 Congressman Todd Akin (R-naturally) who is running against Claire McCaskill for the US Senate seat in the "Show Me" state of Missouri, declared in an interview for local TV:
“First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare.” And, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” And, “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.”
So, no abortion for you, Madam! End of story.
But it wasn't.
It took Cong. Akin only a few hours before he recanted. Sort of. Then clarified. Sort of. In his written statement Sunday afternoon:
“In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year,” he said. “I recognize that abortion, and particularly in the case of rape, is a very emotionally charged issue. But I believe deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action.” (emphasis added)
One of his constituents nailed the point, as reported in the Chicago Tribune this morning:
“'Akin, you utter moron,' wrote Facebook user Michael Mendis. 'This was supposed to be a winnable seat for us. Now you’ve blown it. You’re going to be trying to explain away this comment all the way to November, and it won’t do you any good. Step down now and let someone else have the Republican nomination.'”
And speaking of the "deep empathy" you bring to this "emotionally charged issue", soon-to-be-Mr. Akin, you are pretty confident, are you, that rape victims will be assuaged by whatever penalties the law may dish out to rapists in the fullness of time?
This will surely haunt the Republican Party nationwide. And Todd Akins has just succeeded in becoming its poster candidate on the issue.