Todd Akin and the perils of ‘personhood’
Two weeks ago, Missouri’s Todd Akin took a big step in his quest to go from the U.S. House to the U.S. Senate by winning the state’s Republican primary for the seat. Instead of moving toward unseating incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill, however, Akin may have taken an even larger step back this weekend with his remarks about rape and abortion during an interview with a St. Louis TV station:
First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. 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 on the rapist and not attacking the child.
From his bizarre distinction between “legitimate rape” and, well, I’m not sure what (maybe Whoopi Goldberg could help him out with that?) to his crackpot notion that the female body “has ways to try to shut [pregnancy by forcible rape] down,” Akin has created a hot, offensive mess. There are calls from conservative commentators and at least two Republican senators (Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin) for Akin to drop out of the race and let someone else fight the general election against McCaskill.
Whatever becomes of Akin’s candidacy — he indicated in an interview this afternoon on Mike Huckabee’s radio show that he doesn’t plan to quit the race — I really hope the backers of the so-called personhood amendment have been watching.
Akin might have found the most offensive, least intelligent way of stating opposition to one of the three most common exceptions that many pro-life people would make for abortions (the other two being incest and a threat to the life of the mother). The problem with the personhood approach, which would eliminate at least the rape and incest exceptions, is that there really isn’t a way to put it that persuades most Americans.
Gallup has perhaps the longest record of tracking public opinion about abortion. While the trend over the past couple of decades is clearly in an anti-abortion direction, one consistency is that the position with the most adherents — by far — is for abortion to be “legal only in a few circumstances.” That’s “a few,” not “one” or “none.”
Add the “few circumstances” group to the “no circumstances” tally, and three in five Americans support much stricter regulation of abortion than has been in place since Roe v. Wade. But only one in five supports making it completely illegal.
There is a certain inconsistency to the personhood approach: Why make it OK to take a life in certain circumstances, but not others. Life is life, right?
It’s far from clear, however, that consistency is the top priority for Americans on this issue. It’s more likely the case that Americans want to strike a balance among the sometimes-competing interests of protecting the innocent, personal responsibility and personal liberty.
My guess is the rape exception remains an imperative for most people because a woman doesn’t choose to be raped and cannot possibly be deemed responsible for that action or a resulting pregnancy. However pro-choice and anti-abortion people differ about the question of responsibility in other cases, this one seems beyond debate.
That’s probably a big reason personhood failed in statewide referendums in Colorado and Mississippi. It’s a big reason I’m convinced, despite its showing in a non-binding vote on last month’s Georgia Republican primary ballots, it would fail in Georgia if there were a statewide vote for a personhood amendment to the state constitution.
The vast majority of elective abortions in this country have nothing to do with rape or incest. Right-to-life groups — and aspiring politicians — should focus on those.
– By Kyle Wingfield
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
137 comments Add your comment
East Lake Ira
August 20th, 2012
2:58 pm
This is why Sex Ed is so important folks.
And also too, his current committee assignments:
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces (Chairman)
Committee on the Budget
Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
td
August 20th, 2012
2:59 pm
Road Scholar
August 20th, 2012
2:45 pm
“Once again, if you do not want an abortion, do not get one!”
Using your same logic then if you do not chose to beat your children then do not do it but leave me alone when I do because they are mine and it is none of your business.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 20th, 2012
3:00 pm
instead of just blasting them on their mountain of ridiculous economic ideas
yeah, unlike trickle down economics, starting two wars while handing out tax cuts, or getting soooo absorbed with concern for public debt that everything else must halt. Sound principles those!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 20th, 2012
3:01 pm
without interference from a 3rd party.
Unless, of course, they are forced to pay for it, then the libs have a much greater tolerance of the 3rd party, for some odd reason.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
3:02 pm
td
Within the limits of each state’s laws his abortion illegal?
Can you say the same for beating your children?
You are way up front for most stupid post of the day. Outside of yourself, I doubt anyone can “beat” that one
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 20th, 2012
3:04 pm
Subcommittee on Seapower
Glad Missouri is so concerned about our seapower….. But I guess if they keep voting in Republicans, Global Warming will bring the ocean to a Missouri shore sooner rather than later?
F. Sinkwich
August 20th, 2012
3:06 pm
Before hyperventilation kicks in for some of you, try this:
Close your eyes, pretend you’re floating in air, then imagine that these offensive words were uttered by our VP.
Now this becomes a non-issue; just Joe being Joe. No media outrage except just at those who express outrage about the comment. Excuses made and accepted on all the Sunday shows.
Feel better?
Beverly Fraud
August 20th, 2012
3:08 pm
Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces (Chairman)
Can this guy even SPELL “SEAL”?
Hopefully, they let him play with the GI Joes while the grownups make all the important decisions.
Beverly Fraud
August 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
“Close your eyes, pretend you’re floating in air, then imagine that these offensive words were uttered by our VP.”
I tried to, for a good two hours in fact, but not even the LSD allowed me to picture something THAT stupid.
BS Aplenty
August 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
Huge gaffe. Where do they get these candidates, Retard’s Bar & Grill, Joplin, MO? For those victims of rape there is Plan B from your pharmacist. It’s generally effective against unwanted pregnancy, reasonably priced and only causes a little nausea in some.
Ernest T Bass
August 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
If you make abortion illegal you will not stop one abortion in this country.
You will just push it underground and the criminals will take it over.
Back alley clinics will pop up and the rich will just go overseas.
Its better where it is. Out in the light.
Potential mothers can be counseled and offered other avenues such as adoption.
No one who is pro-choice ( such as myself ) is pro-abortion. I wish it didn’t happen. Unfortunately it does and we have to deal with it as a society.
Educate kids on sex and condoms. Trash the abstinence programs ( which don’t work. Newsflash kids are going to have sex. They might as well have a condom on ) and watch the unwanted pregnancies go down.
Making abortion illegal will have the same effect prohibition had. It wont stop it. It will just make it a lot more dangerous.
kelly
August 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
Ryan is joined at the hip with this guy legislatively. Wake up people. This is the kind of crap you will get from a republican administration.
Ernest T Bass
August 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
Excuses made and accepted on all the Sunday shows.
Just not Fox.
I love how we always hear about the biased liberal media. But never a peep about the biased conservative one.
And believe me there is one.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
Anybody else figure out what’s up with the latest lib tactic, from a people wholly incapable of independent thought and mindlessly awaiting their next set of instructions, of criticizing obozo?
I’m confused on this one. The sycophants have turned against der fuehrer?
Is this some sort of sympathy ploy?
InAtl
August 20th, 2012
3:14 pm
Ala Kelly: “Ryan is joined at the hip with this guy legislatively. Wake up people. This is the kind of crap you will get from a republican administration.”
You’re a little short there on details, Kelly. Biden is joined at the hip with Obama, and we get plenty of crap from both of them on a daily basis, and we’ve already woken up to that fact.
Ernest T Bass
August 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
You’re a little short there on details, Kelly. Biden is joined at the hip with Obama, and we get plenty of crap from both of them on a daily basis, and we’ve already woken up to that fact.
Have you got any details ?
oldfart
August 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
I shudder to think how someone who would utter something this stupid got elected to public office in the first place.
SlickRick - glad to no not have to worry about suffering through Myth Robme and The Boy Wonder's ineptocracy
August 20th, 2012
3:16 pm
I Report – Please either refill the prescription or see a doctor about increasing the dosage; pronto. You’re starting to sound about how I’d think Mr. Holmes sounded just before he decided to lose it completely.
stands for decibels
August 20th, 2012
3:18 pm
three in five Americans support much stricter regulation of abortion than has been in place since Roe v. Wade.
Strange then that so many Americans continue to stand behind R v W.
http://pollingreport.com/abortion2.htm
(Ok, not so strange when you consider the traditional pro-Republican house effect over at Gallup.)
stands for decibels
August 20th, 2012
3:19 pm
The vast majority of elective abortions in this country have nothing to do with rape or incest. Right-to-life groups — and aspiring politicians — should focus on those.
Yes, you should make sure that those dirty girls who’ve had sex for enjoyment’s sake should be punished.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
Rick – Read the syntax errors in your screen name for an apt example of someone fixin to blow.
Were you heavy panting as you typed?
stands for decibels
August 20th, 2012
3:20 pm
Akin’s views on the evil, lying nature of women are basically the standard views of the anti-choice right. He just made the mistake of being too blunt about it.
Tom
August 20th, 2012
3:22 pm
Bass-ackwards idiots like Akin (not to mention the state legislators in KY who are still trying to get evolution taken out of the science curriculum) are the main reason we have such a hard time attracting more independents/moderates into the GOP.
L'il Aynie
August 20th, 2012
3:26 pm
The anti-choice people are are so bogged down in their silliness they can’t think straight!
They have redefined the language so that zygotes and fetuses are “babies”, anti-abortion is the same as anti-choice, and forcing a woman to carry a fetus to term is protecting her God-given rights.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 20th, 2012
3:28 pm
Speaking of silly liberal ideas, how long before Lucy, the ape we all “evolved” from, joins Julia on the government dole?
Shouldn’t the beasts have social security numbers?
Beverly Fraud
August 20th, 2012
3:33 pm
They say you can’t fix stupid. But Akin just proved you can SQUARE it.
SlickRick - glad to not have to worry about suffering through Myth Robme and The Boy Wonder's ineptocracy
August 20th, 2012
3:33 pm
I Report – sore loser, huh?
retired early
August 20th, 2012
3:35 pm
……….makeup, wigs, false eyelashes and provocative apparel.
“They asked for it…”. Break out the “burkus” guys…cover up these sluts…I mean females. It’s only natural for a man to act “manly”…right!!!
These were the thoughts going thru Todd’s head that he edited to reflect a more “acceptable” discourse about rape and abortion.
William Wilberforce
August 20th, 2012
3:36 pm
Not an eloquent quote, but acting like the murder of 1.5 million preborn children is a right is WAY crazier, and I don’t see any reports about that.
Also, rape is wrong for exactly the same reason that abortion is wrong. They are both violations of another person.
And Mr. Wingfield, you don’t strike a balance with murder, you don’t poll whether people support murder, there is only one thing to be done with abortion, and that is abolish it, just like we did with slavery. The rest is playing games.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
3:37 pm
Slick
Just wait until the election?
Beverly Fraud
August 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
@Wilberforce they don’t call it murder if you kill in self-defense.
SlickRick - glad to not have to worry about suffering through Myth Robme and The Boy Wonder's ineptocracy
August 20th, 2012
3:39 pm
Regressives fighting for a majority in the Senate. Akin wins the Regressive nomination for Missouri.
Muwahahahahahahaha
And: I’m lovin’ it.
And: Schnirt
SlickRick - glad to not have to worry about suffering through Myth Robme and The Boy Wonder's ineptocracy
August 20th, 2012
3:41 pm
po dunk – Yeah, I’m thinking that post-election I Report will be a TNT-cloud laying motherf—–r; that’s if he doesn’t have a heart attack on the night of the election.
InAtl
August 20th, 2012
3:46 pm
From Ernest T Bass: “You’re a little short there on details, Kelly. Biden is joined at the hip with Obama, and we get plenty of crap from both of them on a daily basis, and we’ve already woken up to that fact.
Have you got any details ?”
Boy, have I ever. But let’s just start with a few of the zingers:
Obamacare, executive order to gut Clinton’s welfare work requirements, recess appointment of union guys to the NLRB, blocking the Keystone Pipeline, failing to allow permits to go forward to drill in the Gulf of Mexico despite being slapped down by a federal judge for this, bailing out automakers to preserve union contracts while cherry picking dealerships he wants to close. This list goes on and on.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
Slick
I just hope that he doesn’t kick the dog as he stomps around and pouts
SlickRick - glad to not have to worry about suffering through Myth Robme and The Boy Wonder's ineptocracy
August 20th, 2012
3:48 pm
InAtl – You forgot targeting OBL for a kill and succeeding. And saving the world from The Second Great Depression. To name but two.
Bob Loblaw
August 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
Funny, if a fertilized egg is a person, then Atlanta’s fertility clinics have cities the size of Columbus in their freezers. People: the Egg ain’t going nowhere without a uterus.
md
August 20th, 2012
3:53 pm
“an erection is a medical necessity? The individual’s life would be in danger if they couldn’t have that? Other than sex, what does the erection do for the owner? Point directions?”
Yes, no, basic need, and possibly.
From a medical perspective, that organ was designed to get hard….believe it or not. And also, believe it or not, sex is a basic need of the human mammal. And in regards to the life in danger part……what has that got to do with anything? We fix broken people all the time that are never in danger of dying.
As for the necessity of birth control pills as a paid option……..it’s no different than condoms, and believe it or not every generation prior to this one has managed to pay for their own…….but this gimme generation seems to want it all……..for “free”.
atler8
August 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
InAtl
There’s no delicate way to say this but you are a talking-points regurgiating liar at 3:46.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
Republican Source: Akin Moving To Withdraw
atler8
August 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
That should be “regurgitating’.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
Republican know this dude will go down
Senate Republicans are urging Rep. Todd Akin to drop his U.S. Senate bid in Missouri after the candidate told a local news show that women “rarely” become pregnant through “legitimate rape.”
The National Senatorial Campaign Committee has pledged to pull the $5 million it had planned to spend in Missouri if Akin stays in the race, a Republican with knowledge of the committee’s activity confirmed to RealClearPolitics. Crossroads GPS, a super PAC that has been running ads against Akin’s Democratic opponent, Sen. Claire McCaskill, plans to withhold additional ads if Akin does not drop out, spokesman Nate Hodson said.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/08/20/akins_rape_remark_echoes_beyond_missouri_race.html
Ralph
August 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
I’m an old white guy who does not trust other old white guys to make intimate decisions for young women.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
“Republican Source: Akin Moving To Withdraw”
Translation: He is being pushed very hard at this very moment
Hillbilly D
August 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
Looks like it’s time for a new topic.
po dunk
August 20th, 2012
4:07 pm
HillBilly D
Agreed. Dude f’d up and he will be gone soon.
That in itself doesn’t change anyone’s position on abortion, however from a political view, Akin rendered himself to be toxic.
md
August 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
“Funny, if a fertilized egg is a person, then Atlanta’s fertility clinics have cities the size of Columbus in their freezers.”
And that may not be too far off the mark……..most geneticists will tell you that every human has a very distinct starting point based on their dna…….and that starting point is in the beginning. Couple that with the ever changing viability through technology, and who knows.
Currently, the definition is quite fluid as technology changes, and if one really thinks about it that definition is only there for one purpose……to justify an action.
Kyle Wingfield
August 20th, 2012
4:17 pm
William Wilberforce @ 3:36: As I’ve written before, I would rather take a chance now to abolish 95% of it than to wait years, if not decades, in order to get all 100% in one fell swoop. In my view, moving the goal posts before you’ve ever made a kick is what amounts to “playing games.”
InAtl
August 20th, 2012
4:17 pm
Atler8: “InAtl
There’s no delicate way to say this but you are a talking-points regurgiating liar at 3:46.”
Wow, I’m sure you were trying to be delicate. Since when are legitimate issues and policy difference “talking points”? These are things we conservatives are really frosted over. And where’s the lie, Atler8? You failed to point it out as you were spewing with your keyboard.
atler8
August 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
InAtl
You’ve been spewing a venomous mixture of lies & talking points all day & I finally had to call you on them.
I’d need to go back & present citations on nearly every one of your posts of today to be thorough & I don’t have the stomach or inclination to do that. .
In the meantime, I have a ride home from work that I’ll go catch instead of wasting any hopeless time on you. See ya!