Apparently Not All Abortion Extremism Is Created Equal UPDATE: Mourdock Presser

Having had their fun with Todd Akin in Missouri, the DMM (Democratic Machine Media) has found a new Republican chew toy they can use to try and scare women....Richard Mourdock in Indiana.

Indiana Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock said Tuesday that pregnancy that results from rape can be “something that God intended to happen.”

“I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God,” Mourdock said at a debate. “And I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”

Mourdock isn't the second coming of Akin (Mourdock skipped the goofy pseudo-science and admitted it's a tough matter) but he's going to be tied around Romney's neck in an effort to scare women who are less and less impressed with Obama.

The Romney campaign quickly moved to distance itself from the remarks.

“Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock’s comments, and they do not reflect his views,” said Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Romney’s campaign.

The Romney campaign did not respond to an Indianapolis Star email asking if the GOP presidential nominee still endorsed Mourdock.

Interestingly, Mourdock's Democratic opponent is one of the few pro-life Democrats out there.

Also interestingly, Mourdock is one of the few candidates Romney has actively supported with a TV ad.

I doubt this will hurt Romney much if at all, though in a race as close as this, it's not going to help to have to walk the tightrope between female swing voters and social conservatives with less than two weeks to go.

It won't matter to Romney at all in Indiana but the DMM is obviously going to make it a national issues on behalf of Democrats. What the DMM won't do is make an issue out a Democratic candidates extremism on abortion.

Meet Congressman Chris Murphy, who is running for the Senate in Connecticut. He thinks life "begins at birth". He also says he supports restrictions on late term abortions which makes no sense. If a human being isn't alive until they are born, why would you oppose abortion at any point? Now I suppose this is better than Obama's pro-infanticide position (which must not be discussed in polite media company).

I think Mourdock's position is appalling (not his thoughts on God's unknowable plans but the idea a rape victim should be forced to carry the pregnancy to term) but if we're going to label one party "extreme" let's be sure to take a look at the extremism of the other side as well. That's what real journalists would do but we have damn few of them today. Instead with have Democratic operatives with press passes.

Update: Hmmm, is Mourdock's statement more damaging than I thought? Congressman Mike Pence (a solid pro-life, social conservative who is running for Governor in Indiana) comes out pretty hard against him.

I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night's Senate debate. I urge him to apologize.

I strongly disagree with Mourdock's position but what's there for him to apologize for? He believes what he believes. Just because you disagree with him doesn't mean he owes you and apology.

UPDATE 2: Mourdock holding a presser being carried live on CNN. Says he sorry that others twisted his words (which I think they did) and that he was inarticulate in expressing his deeply held views.

"God and I abhor rape"...that's not something candidates want to be having to say ever, let alone less than two weeks out.

posted by DrewM. at 10:35 AM

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