Congressman Todd Akin, who told a Fox reporter in an 18-minute interview that women’s bodies have the ability to determine if a rape was “legitimate” and then automagically self-terminate the pregnancy so abortion isn’t necessary in cases of rape, refused to apologize today. Rep. Akin, a Tea Party Republican, says in a statement he just released that he merely “misspoke” in the interview and doubled-down on his position that abortion in cases of rape is unacceptable. Then Congressman Akin, in his statement, said 1o1 words about “unacceptably high unemployment, trillion-dollar deficits, and Democratic leaders in Washington who are focused on growing government, instead of jobs.”
Rep. Akin is a six-term U.S. Congressman who is running against Senator Claire McCaskill for her Missouri U.S. Senate seat.
When asked about abortion in cases of rape, Rep. Akin responded, “From what I understand from doctors… if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.â€
Here’s Congressman Akin’s non-apology, via Talking Points Memo:
“As a member of Congress, I believe that working to protect the most vulnerable in our society is one of my most important responsibilities, and that includes protecting both the unborn and victims of sexual assault. In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year. Those who perpetrate these crimes are the lowest of the low in our society and their victims will have no stronger advocate in the Senate to help ensure they have the justice they deserve.
“I recognize that abortion, and particularly in the case of rape, is a very emotionally charged issue. But I believe deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action. I also recognize that there are those who, like my opponent, support abortion and I understand I may not have their support in this election.
“But I also believe that this election is about a wide range of very important issues, starting with the economy and the type of country we will be leaving our children and grandchildren. We’ve had 42 straight months of unacceptably high unemployment, trillion-dollar deficits, and Democratic leaders in Washington who are focused on growing government, instead of jobs. That is my primary focus in this campaign and while there are those who want to distract from that, knowing they cannot defend the Democrats’ failed economic record of the last four years, that will continue to be my focus in the months ahead.”