On rape, pregnancy and the GOP fight for the U.S. Senate
Life, as every member of the GOP knows and accepts, isn’t fair.
Monday was to be the day given over to celebration of the fact that the most important playground in Republican society, Augusta National, would let Condi Rice and Darla Moore play through. As the club’s first female members.
Instead, we are embroiled in an argument over whether a Missouri member of the U.S. House, seeking promotion to the U.S. Senate, should withdraw from the contest because of his declaration – now retracted with much apology – that raped women have natural impediments to prevent pregnancy.
Karl Rove’s Crossroads organization has said it will spend no money on Todd Akin’s campaign. An official with the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee said the group’s head, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, called Akin on Monday to tell him that the committee had withdrawn $5 million in advertising planned for the Missouri race.
Here’s the lede of the Associated Press’ 13th write-through on the topic since Sunday:
Missouri Rep. Todd Akin apologized Monday for his televised comments that women’s bodies are able to prevent pregnancies if they are victims of “a legitimate rape,” but he refused to heed calls to abandon his bid for the Senate.
Appearing on former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s radio show, Akin said rape is “never legitimate.”
“It’s an evil act. It’s committed by violent predators,” Akin said. “I used the wrong words the wrong way.”
Akin has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to decide whether he’s in or out. Republican control of the Senate could be at stake. A guess: Christian conservatives and tea partyers behind Akin will rally against what they see as an effort to drive their candidate out of the race in order to please a GOP establishment.
As for the substance of what Akin told a local TV reporter, we’ve heard this before.
There was state Rep. Henry Aldridge of North Carolina in 1995, during a debate to eliminate a state abortion fund for poor women:
“The facts show that people who are raped — who are truly raped — the juices don’t flow, the body functions don’t work and they don’t get pregnant,” said Aldridge, a 71-year-old periodontist. “Medical authorities agree that this is a rarity, if ever.”
Then there was the case of state Sen. Don Thomas of Georgia – a soft-spoken Republican from Dalton, who in 2003 argued that rape victims ought not to be exempted from legislation intended to make women think twice before submitting to an abortion:
“Relying on my personal experience in my home county of 90,000 people, we don’t have rape cases resulting in pregnancy, ” he said.
Again, an elderly male physician declared that the lack of “vaginal secretions” was the key. (Thomas has since retired from the Legislature.)
Just in case we have a few doubters in the audience, allow me to point you to a 1996 study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. From the abstract:
The national rape-related pregnancy rate is 5.0% per rape among victims of reproductive age (aged 12 to 45); among adult women an estimated 32,101 pregnancies result from rape each year. Among 34 cases of rape-related pregnancy, the majority occurred among adolescents and resulted from assault by a known, often related perpetrator.
Only 11.7% of these victims received immediate medical attention after the assault, and 47.1% received no medical attention related to the rape. A total 32.4% of these victims did not discover they were pregnant until they had already entered the second trimester; 32.2% opted to keep the infant whereas 50% underwent abortion and 5.9% placed the infant for adoption; an additional 11.8% had spontaneous abortion.
The study pointed to rape-produced pregnancies as a factor in child abuse.
For the still unconvinced, consider the use of rape as a weapon in modern warfare. From a 1996 UNICEF study that speaks to rape’s efficiency:
Sexual abuse is also appearing more often as a systematic policy of war, deployed to terrorize civilian communities. In some raids during the carnage in Rwanda in 1994, virtually every adolescent girl who survived militia attack was later raped. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the rape of teenage girls was systematized into a deliberate policy. It has been estimated that more than 20,000 women have been raped since the Balkan war began in 1992.
So you can understand why many Republicans, including Mitt Romney, were so quick to put air between themselves and the congressman from Missouri.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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49 comments Add your comment
GaBlue
August 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
I hope he stays in the race and continues to educate the American people with his brilliant grasp of biology and good sense. Don’t be afraid, Repubs! Just, you know, shout it out… whatever pops into your head. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, only that it sounds good to you while it’s coming out of your mouth. Right?
Jeff
August 20th, 2012
6:20 pm
But Erick Erickson, of RedState.com and CNN, defended the guy.
John K
August 20th, 2012
6:21 pm
GOP, you wanted to dance with the Tea Party, this is what you got.
Shar
August 20th, 2012
6:25 pm
It’s horrifying that such a prejudiced ignoramus has a vote over women’s health.
GT GRAD
August 20th, 2012
6:27 pm
Todd Akin should drop out of the race. Period.
This article is a shameful attempt to imply a significant percentage of Republicans believe this nonsense………….the truth is that a VERY small percentage of Republicans believe this is true and all people who believe this nonsense are simply wrong.
It is also simply wrong to think or imply Republicans in general believe this nonsense regarding rape.
cc
August 20th, 2012
6:37 pm
GaBlue:
He should immediately withdraw from the race.
“Just, you know, shout it out… whatever pops into your head. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, only that it sounds good to you while it’s coming out of your mouth. Right?”
Yeah, and I guess we should ajudge all dimocrats guilty of the above based on the inane statements offered by Uncle Joe Biden, right?
Aquagirl
August 20th, 2012
6:41 pm
a VERY small percentage of Republicans believe this is true and all people who believe this nonsense are simply wrong.
So Republicans aren’t stupid, they just elect stupid people. There’s a ringing defense of the GOP.
Kris
August 20th, 2012
6:42 pm
Dalton Ga’s, own Quack in residence Dr. Don Thomas. In for the fame (stupidly) and $$$$$….His office is near the duck pond. He too was diagnosed with stupidly and diarrhea of the mouth.
Thank god he retired.
As the REPUBLICAN attack on Women continues…
Politicians, have no man or God given right to interfere with any ones health care.
Vote the GOP scum out.
Recall or Impeach the rest.
Re-Elect President OBAMA
Bernie
August 20th, 2012
6:43 pm
Just another reminder by The Republican Party to the Women Of America as to why they should come out in record and historical Numbers to Vote AGAINST every Republican candidate at every Level of Government in November and years going forward.
Then and only then will their be a REAL change in their mindset and the NEGATIVE Legislative actions toward the Women Of America. Time to show them the error of their WAYS!
Ahhhhh!!!!!!! Nothing like The Smell of Republican and Tea Party……. FEAR!
GaBlue
August 20th, 2012
6:43 pm
cc,
I would not presume to make an important private decision for you. Whom you believe, support, judge, or vote for in a private voting booth is your beeswax. Is that okay with you?
sheepdawg
August 20th, 2012
7:29 pm
typical gop ignorant bigoted old white guy bufoon…….hopefully a dying breed
ld
August 20th, 2012
7:34 pm
Akin seems more intent on fighting against women’s right “free will” and individual liberty than fighting for a GOP majority.
Wonder how much Augusta paid Condi to get her to join and to use her name to try to make them seem like Augusta’s infamous golf club had moved out of the 19th century?
Just Wait
August 20th, 2012
7:40 pm
So, at least one Republican, that we know of, believes that women who are raped can “magically” keep themselves from becoming pregnant. And by “truly” raped, we can suppose at least one Republican believes that most women who claim rape are lying. What dark corner of the world do they find these people?
cc
August 20th, 2012
7:43 pm
Aquagirl:
“So Republicans aren’t stupid, they just elect stupid people. There’s a ringing defense of the GOP.”
So Democrats aren’t stupid, they just elect Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Barney Frank, Charlie Rangel, et al . . .
double
August 20th, 2012
7:52 pm
All the above,and a vote for Zoller should send these chauvinistic pugs a message.Ladies do not forget tomorrow.
julia
August 20th, 2012
8:00 pm
if I wanted the government in my vag*** I’d **** a Senator.
findog
August 20th, 2012
8:12 pm
The USA had to stick with W
Elections have consequences, he is the GIOP’s man
Ask the SC DNC about a dude named Greene
Buckhead Boy
August 20th, 2012
8:25 pm
Kris, it is odd that you refer to Dr. Thomas as a “Quack” and place his office as “near a duck pond”, because believe it or not female ducks really do possess the mental power to avert unwanted pregnancy. Do you think that this confusion of women with ducks could be an unintended consequence of male Republican frustration resulting from the abstinence-only sex education that they advocate?
Kris
August 20th, 2012
9:09 pm
@ f345HEAD BOY
“Never assume malice when stupidity will suffice.”
RJ Hanlon
Vote the incumbent (GOP) slime out
OBAMA 2012
B. Thenet
August 20th, 2012
9:19 pm
Abortion without exceptions for rape, incest, and health of the mother is the default GOP abortion position these days, it is the personal view of the current GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan.
Heck, the state of Mississippi is just one appeal away from banning ALL abortions in the state. Where exactly is the national GOP on this supposedly extreme and minority position that they have taken?
Why exactly did Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Rick Perry all sign on to make the “Personhood” movement that essentially grants citizen like rights to fetuses from the point of conception, a movement that makes ZERO exceptions for rape, incest, health of the mother.
Anyone in the GOP who thinks that this is a minority view within the GOP is fooling themselves. And it is rather hilarious to see the entire GOP run like hell from a candidate who holds what is essentially a mainstream view among GOP legislators.
Buzzy
August 20th, 2012
9:49 pm
It’s good to see something about the abortion issue blow up in the Republicans’ face.
If they really felt so strongly about it in the past, why not move to amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit abortion? They won’t even try. The reason is that the Republicans don’t want this issue to really go away. They want to use it in every campaign they can to get the far Right voters to the polls.
So it’s good to see the abortion issue blow up in their face since they have used it so cynically to get votes in earlier elections. I don’t believe that all Republicans think the way that Akins does. However, this man is running for the Senate and it does show that some Republicans are willing to put up a man this ignorant and radical for such an important post.
The Republicans need to realize that they will pay the price for their efforts in recruiting far Right nut cases.
Bernie
August 20th, 2012
10:10 pm
It is my HOPE and Prayer that the CONGRESSMAN remains in his RACE, as a reminder to the WOMEN OF America, the TRUE FACE of The REPUBLICAN PARTY! and Vote against their every candidate at every LEVEL Of Government.
I encourage ALL WOMEN to VOTE FOR The RE -ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA in spite of such Vile and Hateful Remarks regarding RAPE of the Women of America!!
Yudont Nomey
August 20th, 2012
10:13 pm
I like what Julia said (if I wanted the government in my vag*** I’d **** a Senator). I want a bumper sticker that says that.
The real truth
August 20th, 2012
10:40 pm
Bernie
August 20th, 2012
10:10 pm
I have been reading these blogs on the AJC for a few months and you continuously repeat that same little message over and over again. I am willing to make a bet that you are a true, As Rush say, feminazi. A real breaker and I also bet you are this way because due to a large body that no man would want to touch.
Dirty Dawg
August 20th, 2012
10:55 pm
I’ve seen observations that this idiotic guy’s comments were a window into his mind. Let’s take a broader look. This, combined with all the other off the wall comments and practices coming from the Right – voter suppression directed at minorities, Hank The Skank’s calling the President a farm, military and USA hating Muslim, immigration reform-blocking, you name it…all this is a 70-inch, HDTV window on the mind and motivation of an entire political party. They think that this is an all-white, predominately male country, and nobody else better get uppity about it. I mean think about how many asinine comments and positions have come out of just Georgia’s idiotic Republican Congressmen, and try to tell me that it’s not endemic. This is a bunch of evil cretins that need to banished from ever holding power again.
zem
August 20th, 2012
11:48 pm
Republicans/Tea Party are very scary.
eli
August 21st, 2012
1:00 am
What constitutes illegitimate rape?
I would bet the farm that Akin believes that women can not be raped by their husbands…because such an act is a husbandly right…just like the Taliban and Al-Qaida believe.
Akin should.have given a concession speech…but, just like the rest of the Tea Party, he is, by definition, a retard.
As a Democratic Party activist I would like to thank Akin of helping us keep a majority in the Senate. We may not be able to have done it without you.
eli
August 21st, 2012
1:02 am
BTW, over 3000 women a year are impregnated by their rapists.
Akin and Paul Ryan want to force these women to give birth to the child of their rapists.
That is not only sick, but unjust.
S
August 21st, 2012
1:22 am
There are 63 Republicans in congress that believe just like congressman Todd Akin. All 64 signed the bill, HR212 the person hood bill sponsored by none other than Paul Broun of Ga. Some of the Cosigners on that bill, VP PICK of Romney, Paul Ryan, and Lynn Westmoreland of Ga..
There have been 67 Republican sponsored Abortion bills since these extremist Republicans have been in office and Paul Ryan has signed every one. Another bill HR 3. tried to change the wording of RAPE. Rape is Rape, how can you change that! HR212 bill would essentially do away with birth control.
The Republican Party of yesteryear is dead, the Tea Party burnt the big tent when they came into congress.
Watchful Eyes
August 21st, 2012
1:46 am
Julia, I am not the government, but would ya **** me?
Kris
August 21st, 2012
2:01 am
To the Georgia GOP (you too “fetal pain DEAL)
As one of the many women and men you represent, I want to personally tell you how outraged I am by your attack on women’s rights — and your attempts to bully, subjugate and silence women.
This year, I will raise my voice and my vote against your war on women. I will work to ensure you and your fellow Republicans reap unprecedented losses in November.
Sincerely,
Kris
https://waronwomen.com/RockTheSlutVote/soundoff
Vote out the GOP scum Recall or impeach the reset.
@ Watchful Eyes … Trojan rubbers prevent republicans
Attack Dog
August 21st, 2012
5:57 am
Does anyone remember Democrats electing Bush, Hastert, Frist, Bachmann, West, King, etc.? On topic: Dixiecrat women know their men like them barefoot and pregnant. So, what’s the problem?
WAW
August 21st, 2012
5:59 am
B. Thenet & S: Right on! In the July 31st Primary Election, there was one of the “opinion poll” type questions asking if you support legislation declaring that life begins at conception. Response was a huge majority of Georgia Republican Voters. This is political strategy aimed toward a “moral” issue. The US House of Representatives has already passed such a bill, Google HR212 it is only 3 pages. What it “says” that it does not say is that if any female member of your family is raped, she must carry the child until birth (at birth she can leave the child at the hospital and the state will be responsible for placing it somewhere). This issue has already been resolved by Congress in the Affordable Healthcare Act with the Stupak (D) – Pitts (R Amendment. Romney and Ryan supported this position prior to Rep. Akins “ill conceived” comment (that’s a pun).
What I would ask all you “Defend the Party at all Cost” Republicans, “Do you not know someone who was raped?” If not, and I can’t believe that there is anybody so sheltered from reality, there are women who have been raped who will speak about it. Ask! And don’t vote against you wife, daughter and other female relatives.
Gallaway: Can you use your connections to see what Bills the Legislature will introduce to address the pressing issue since Georgia Republicans have expressed such a “mandate” for a Georgia Sanctity of Human Life Act?
Buckhead Boy
August 21st, 2012
6:49 am
eli, “illegitimate rape” is GOP-speak for when the victim is afforded the opportunity to place an aspirin between her knees.
Edmund Ruffin
August 21st, 2012
7:28 am
Unlike the dems, the left wing Rockefeller northeastern wing of the Republican Party, the wing which actually controls the party, kills their wounded. If the Republicans would unite behind Akin he can beat the Obamabot. The poor man misspoke, Biden does it almost everyday.
honested
August 21st, 2012
7:58 am
ruffin,
As I always suspected, you are stuck so far in the past you still believe there is a ‘Rockefeller’ wing remaining in the repug. party.
On another note, let’s hope Akin stays in the race until McCaskill is declared victor in November.
I want to see how a current Senate campaign looks with no RNC millions and no horrible interference from rove.
TiredOfIt
August 21st, 2012
8:02 am
“The poor man misspoke” —- No he told the truth as the GOP believes it to be.
julia
August 21st, 2012
8:04 am
Yudont Nomey, maybe a t-shirt?
http://crocktees.com/life/government_in_my_womb.htm
I hope I’m not breaking any rules by posting this?
honested
August 21st, 2012
8:11 am
Julia,
Thanks!
A perfect pre-election present for all the women in my family.
No More Republican
August 21st, 2012
8:12 am
Ryan and Atkin had the same bill that women that was rape couldnt get abortion.
Atkin will make the republican lose all the election.
JPL
August 21st, 2012
8:14 am
Some words don’t need adjectives and adverbs to define them.
sharon
August 21st, 2012
8:42 am
Oh…….yes. Here they go again. “some” men think they know it all…….especially about women and
“their” issues. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh so wrong.
Some GOP men think they can “forcefully” bully women into anything………WRONG.
There are good men out here that actualy think a woman and “her” rights are important.
evryone’s rights are important. I do mean “everyones”.
The vast amount of voters in this Nov. election will be women. This is a fact.
How they vote………..well,if the GOP keeps on….the path they currently are on……the gop will not have them in their camp.
td
August 21st, 2012
8:49 am
sharon
August 21st, 2012
8:42 am
“here are good men out here that actualy think a woman and “her” rights are important.
evryone’s rights are important. I do mean “everyones”.”
You mean “everyones” except the basic value of human life of the unborn. Hypocrite.
DJ Sniper
August 21st, 2012
10:58 am
TD, there’s nothing hypocritical about that statement. As we’ve said plenty of times before, if abortion isn’t for you or your family, then don’t have one. However, you need to realize that everybody’s situation is different.
Riddle me this: You have a 15 year old daughter that’s a victim of rape, and she get’s pregnant as a result. Would you force her to give birth to that child, especially if you knew she wasn’t emotionally prepared to raise a child that was conceived in such a violent way?
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
August 21st, 2012
11:10 am
Akin is just the tip of the Roman “shark’s” nose Thomas Jefferson warned us is “the real Anti-Christ.” No true Southerner or American disagrees:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/21/no-rape-exception-in-republican-platforms-constitutional-abortion-ban/
honested
August 21st, 2012
11:24 am
td,
With gladness I accept that only a few religious zealots would enforce the notion of ‘zygote citizenship’ on the rest of us.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
August 21st, 2012
3:15 pm
…not “zealots,” “honested,” for that is an honorable and righteous name used by true Jews who objected to rule by G-dless foreigners in their land just as “whig” was the epithet, akin to “whacko” or “tinfoil hat” our ancestors adopted for themselves used by the false elite to deride one unwilling to fight for a Roman Catholic monarch.
Those who would force a rape victim to bear, and have been doing so for thousands of years, are of Satan…nothing honorable or righteous about them. They are dogs…and in a bad way…the core of the Gay Old Pervert party – front for “the real Anti-Christ.” Who else would do nothing to “suspend” 9/11-committing Bush’s and Cheney’s right to walk among true Americans breathing our air?
Michael
August 21st, 2012
5:07 pm
Don’t withdraw, abortion is such a sideshow issue anyway. Just like gay marriage and other social issues. No politician really gives a damn about them but they know they can get votes out of it. Think about it, Republicans controlled the federal government under Bush and somehow they did not manage to get abortion made illegal. This means they aren’t really trying to get rid of this juicy campaign issue. Politicians want to ride in on their social issues and then get down to their regular business of insider deals and partying on the taxpayer’s dime.
Attack Dog
August 21st, 2012
6:09 pm
If you are a Dixiecrat and your female is raped and gets pregnant, then she consented?