Obama slams Mourdock rape comments
President Barack Obama chats with host Jay Leno during a break in the taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," October 24, 2012, at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. / Getty Images
BURBANK, California President Barack Obama is criticizing a Republican Senate candidate for his comments about women and rape, saying that "rape is rape" and that distinctions offered by the Republican candidate, in Obama's words, "don't make any sense to me."
The Tea Party-backed Republican in Indiana's Senate race, Richard Mourdock, said during a debate Tuesday night that when pregnancy results from rape, that is "something God intended."
Asked about Mourdock's comment Wednesday on "The Tonight Show," Obama told host Jay Leno, quote: "Rape is rape. It is a crime."
Obama says such remarks reflect why politicians, mostly male, shouldn't be making decisions about women's health care. He also says that women are capable of making their own decisions and that intrusions by politicians is part of what's at stake in the presidential election.
- Romney campaign stands by Mourdock
- Richard Mourdock: Even pregnancy from rape something "God intended"
GOP Senate candidate: Pregnancy from rape "a gift from God"
Just as Mitt Romney and other Republicans had cut into the Democrats' advantage with female voters, Mourdock's awkward remark has propelled the emotional issue of abortion back to the political forefront. It's put GOP candidates in tight races, from the presidential candidate on down, on the defensive.
Divisive social issues are hardly what most GOP candidates want to be discussing in the few days remaining until elections largely hinging on jobs and the economy. Almost immediately after Mourdock's comment, Republican candidates distanced themselves from the Indiana state treasurer - though by varying degrees.
The Romney campaign immediately distanced itself from Mourdock's comments, and stressed that Romney's position on abortion - he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is in danger - differs from that of Mourdock. Mourdock supports exceptions for abortion only when the mother's life is in danger, the same position that many conservatives, including Romney's vice presidential nominee, Paul Ryan, also espouse.
"Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock, and Mr. Mourdock's comments do not reflect Gov. Romney's views. We disagree on the policy regarding exceptions for rape and incest but still support him," said Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul.
Sen. John McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee, told CNN that his continued support of Mourdock "depends on what he does." Earlier, he had endorsed Mourdock, but said he was rethinking it.
The Arizona lawmaker who was the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee, said he wants to see "if he apologizes and says he misspoke and he was wrong and asks people to forgive him. It's when you don't own up to it that people will not believe in you."
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, struggling to hold onto his seat against a challenge from Democrat Elizabeth Warren, said he was "a pro-choice Republican and that's not what I believe and I disagree with what he said." Pressed on his support for Mourdock's candidacy, Brown said that was up to Indiana voters.
Connecticut Republican Linda McMahon, bidding for the Senate seat there, called Mourdock's remarks "highly inappropriate and offensive. They do not reflect my beliefs as a woman or a pro-choice candidate."
New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who had planned to campaign with Mourdock in Indiana, canceled her appearance.
In Wisconsin, former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who faces Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin, called Mourdock's comments "really sad."
"I've got a wife and two daughters and six granddaughters," he said in an interview. "Anything dealing with rape against women is uncalled for. Period. No tolerance whatsoever."
Popular in Politics
- Adviser on White House scandals: "Partisan fishing expeditions" won't distract Obama 161 Comments
- Romney condemns "breach of trust" in Washington
- Obama: Racism is no excuse for not excelling Play Video
- Benghazi-disciplined diplomat a prolific poet
- Michelle Obama decries "slander" that educated blacks are "trying to act white" Play Video
- Republicans continue beating Benghazi drum 81 Comments
- Officials on Benghazi: "We made mistakes, but without malice" 363 Comments
- Where is the Benghazi cover-up Republicans promised? 425 Comments
Just because your version of Santa Claus is MOLDED into what YOU think he/she/it should be, doesn't make it so, the facts are the facts, and the facts are this god absolutely INTENDS pregnancy to begin after a rape since it usually happens after rape, if this god didn't intend for it to happen then the pregnancy would never EVER happen, the body would just automatically reject and flush the egg out as a miscarriage or like the immune system kills and flushes out invading bacteria, virus or even pollin and allergins which the body attempts to get rid of.
-----------------------
This quote needs to be preserved as a prime example of how the GOP does indeed view rape and pregnancy. Just in case any moderate is unsure how completely nuts the GOP is, the quote above would be perfect ammo against any fanatical right wing logic and should also be used as a warning to ALL moderates.
You are so hellbent are getting your way don't you see it infringes on freedom of speech for us?
--------------------
However if you happen to be an American living overseas and yet still paying American taxes to the IRS at 35% according to TYPEZ you don't have the right to Free Speech. I mean just yesterday or the day before he told me that I had no right to comment because I was living in the UK.
To the fascist GOP there are only a small group of WHITE MEN who are allowed the Freedom of Speech.
You are so hellbent are getting your way don't you see it infringes on freedom of speech for us?
-------------
So you'd lay day for things you should be standing up for???? I'm sensing a double standard there....
And, dear Einstein, Freedom of Speech cannot be limited by another individual or company. Look up what it's ACTUALLY protection from.
.
You are so hellbent are getting your way don't you see it infringes on freedom of speech for us?
--------------------
However if you happen to be an American living overseas and yet still paying American taxes to the IRS at 35% according to TYPEZ you don't have the right to Free Speech. I mean just yesterday or the day before he told me that I had no right to comment because I was living in the UK.
To the fascist GOP there are only a small group of WHITE MEN who are allowed the Freedom of Speech.
Any "exceptions"?
Seems Only republicans have a direct link to the Almighty...Ain't helping the "cause" much...
Why is it that these peo , whatever the **** they are seem to show, time and again, almost a "respect" for animal rapists IF the Victim ends up pregnant...Like thats a pass for such a vile crime..."the end justifies the means"...while showing zero empathy/concern/or care for the Victims, less they be called out on such idiocy....then as an afterthought "they" say nothing of the Victims but speak of the "act"...
Sickening & pathetic...For the masses, their "beliefs" don't even qualify as Human....
Same thing you were thinking!