This month two prominent politicians have said remarkably stupid things: Vice President Joe Biden warned that Republicans were going to put a largely black crowd “back into chains” and the Republican running for the Missouri Senate said that women who experienced “legitimate rape” could naturally prevent pregnancy. Both statements were incredibly stupid, even for politicians, and were the definition of offensive; but the responses of each party highlights their differences quite clearly.
After Vice President Joe Biden’s warning to a largely black audience about being put “back in chains” the liberal elite in the media called his remarks a “gaffe.” While there were questions put to the White House about his remaining on the ticket, there were no serious demands for his ouster. One would think the threat of slavery for voting the “wrong way” would have been accompanied with demands for his resignation. But there were none–not from the media and not from fellow Democrats. The White House and its surrogates defended and pushed aside Biden’s remarks, as they consistently have, no matter how offensive the statement. Biden himself refused to apologize, instead first trying to downplay it, and then disappearing to an undisclosed location somewhere far away from cameras and microphones.
Contrast this with Republicans’ response to the remarks on “legitimate rape” made by Rep. Todd Akin, running for the Missouri Senate seat currently held by Democrat Claire McCaskill. Immediately, highly regarded conservatives like our John Podhoretz, Michelle Malkin, S.E. Cupp, Philip Klein, Rick Wilson, and the editorial board of National Review have all called for Akin to step aside. It appears that if Akin decides to run, he will now be doing so without the financial backing of Karl Rove’s group Crossroads GPS or the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), headed by Senator John Cornyn. During an interview on New Hampshire radio it appears that Romney echoed Cornyn’s pressure for Akin to step aside while the Missouri Republican party still has time to replace him. Prominent Congressional Republicans like Senators Scott Brown and Ron Johnson have called for Akin to drop out, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was severe in his criticism, and many others have harshly rebuked his comments.
While the comments made by Rep. Akin have jeopardized Republican chances at a majority in the U.S. Senate, many in the “establishment” and Tea Party are not allowing his remarks to pass. The outrage is equally felt across the aisle, despite what Democrats are fundraising on, and it appears Republicans are doing all they can to remove Akin from his race before the deadline. If he refuses to step down, it appears he will not receive any backing from the party, financial or otherwise. Despite the importance of the seat, Republicans refuse to help Akin win it.
The Republicans are busy trying to suppress the black vote. Bidden wasn't far off the mark. The problem the Republicans have with Akin is that the Missouri Republican Party is standing behind him. Akin himself regards those calling for his ouster RINOs.
Claire Mccaskill wants Todd Akin to remain the race. That’s all we need to know. The Democrats are thrilled. He must resign before the end of the day. Akin’s mouth will get him in further trouble. Women rarely get pregnant after a violent rape. A case can be made for this position. A U.S. senatorial campaign in not the right time and place to get involved in such a discussion.
We Democrats ALL want Akin to stay in. His ignorant ideas about rape and abortion will highlight how toxic the Republican party is. Not only will he lose his own race, he will drag down ALL the Republican candidate.
Claire Mccaskill wants Todd Akin to remain the race. That's all we need to know. The Democrats are thrilled. He must resign before the end of the day. Akin's mouth will get him in further trouble. Women rarely get pregnant after a violent rape. A case can be made for this position. A U.S. senatorial campaign, however, in not the right time and place to get involved in such a discussion.
You are entirely missing the point. On purpose I suspect. nWhat Akin said was that it was not possible to get pregnant from rape because a women's body would reject the pregnancy. nYou're trying to mix a statistic (and statistics are always debatable) with the pronounciation of a supposed scientific fact. nI'm not exactly sure what your point would be anyway regarding the low incidence of rape pregnancy… that since its only a few, these women should be marginalized and forced to carry to term???
Every Democrat in America is praying for Todd Akin to remain in the race. Its the best insurance policy we have…if Mitt Romney and Paul "Personhood co-sponsor" Ryan somehow win, it all comes down to keeping the Senate, and Todd Akin is our ace in the hole. Hang in there, Todd. America needs you (to stay in the race)!
His sincere apology, as described by "Morning Jolt," does not say he favors allowing abortion on "rape, incest, or saving the mother's life," which allowances 80% of the public, according to "Jolt" do favor, irregardless of whether they are pro-life or pro-choice. I think his apology makes it a little worse than it was … and indicates that it's not going away for him and that everytime it's addressed, he's going to keep making it a little worse. n nI hate MSM double standards and want Republicans to fight them until the public gets it — but this isn't a gaffe, it's a semi-thought-out unpopular (dumb) position that reflects on Akin, not those who criticize him for it.
Quite frankly, I'm much more upset at those who slice up living babies in the womb with knives -OR- burn them out with saline solutions. The ultrasounds have proven that the child tries to get away from the tools being used to rend them to pieces, and you can even SEE them screaming.Quite frankly, I'm much more upset at those who slice up living babies in the womb with knives -OR- burn them out with saline solutions. The ultrasounds have proven that the child tries to get away from the tools being used to rend them to pieces, and you can even SEE them screaming. n nRep. Todd Akin's very bad slip-of-the-tongue pales to insignifiance compared to THAT. n nSo yes, the broohaha over one Republican man's slip of the tongue compared to the Democrats unwaivering support for tearing children to pieces does demonstrate the differences between the parties quite well.
Permit me to suggest that a Republican thinker as exemplary as Todd Akin merits promotion. Perhaps the GOP could consider him for the Vice-Presidential nomination in 2016.
Who r Akins' retarded doctors? n nCONCLUSIONS: Rape-related pregnancy occurs with significant frequency. It is a cause of many unwanted pregnancies and is closely linked with family and domestic violence. As we address the epidemic of unintended pregnancies in the United States, greater attention and effort should be aimed at preventing and identifying unwanted pregnancies that result from sexual victimization. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:320-5.) n Melisa M. Holmes, MD n , n Heidi S. Resnick, PhD n , n Dean G. Kilpatrick, PhD n , n Connie L. Best, PhD n nCharleston, South Carolina
Buddy, Obamacare is here to stay. Nothing radical about it, it is similar to health-care in Japan, Israel, Australia, western Europe, and Canada. nThere is NOTHING to hate about Obamacare. I challenge anyone to post 2 bad things about O-care. Just 2. Come on, conservatives, give me your best shot, without tipping your racist hateful hand. ncaveat: do not send me meaningless nothings that will be worked out in time. nHit me with your best shots.