Tom Smith, the GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania says that becoming pregnant via rape is “similar” to having a baby out of wedlock — for the father of the mother. Smith, 64, (image, top,) who is challenging Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr., made the comments, in the wake of last week’s Congressman Todd Akin rape comments, to an Associate Press reporter. Smith does not support abortion in any situation, “period,” per his campaign website. Smith in the audio calls his position on abortion “very simplistic.”
At Think Progress, Tara Culp-Ressler, who published a transcript and audio, below, reported:
After the reporter pressed Smith on his comments, he tried to backtrack by saying, “I didn’t say that†and reiterating that he doesn’t condone rape. Despite Smith’s condemnation of rape, however, his harmful comparison only serves to diminish the seriousness of rape’s impact on its victims. Clearly, it is impossible to equate women who have a child out wedlock from consensual sex with women who become impregnated by a rapist following a sexual assault. Smith’s paternalistic sentiment fails to recognize the weight of the crime of sexual assault, just as Akin’s outrageous comments did.
MARK SCOLFORO, ASSOCIATED PRESS: How would you tell a daughter or a granddaughter who, God forbid, would be the victim of a rape, to keep the child against her own will? Do you have a way to explain that?
SMITH: I lived something similar to that with my own family. She chose life, and I commend her for that. She knew my views. But, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to.. she chose they way I thought. No don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t rape.
SCOLFORO: Similar how?
SMITH: Uh, having a baby out of wedlock.
SCOLFORO: That’s similar to rape?
SMITH: No, no, no, but… put yourself in a father’s situation, yes. It is similar.But, back to the original, I’m pro-life, period.
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Smith, whose net worth is estimated to be between $60 million and $70 million, was a coal baron up until a few years ago.
His campaign website states:
Tom Smith opposes the Obama-Casey tax increases. He knows that in these tough economic times we cannot afford higher taxes for anyone. He will fight to keep taxes down. And Tom will fight to reform our tax code making it simpler and fairer.
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There is no quicker path to American jobs than American energy. Tom knows we need an energy policy that brings all options to the table to reduce costs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources. The Marcellus Shale, American oil, and clean coal are tremendous opportunities to bring the cost of energy down and create jobs.
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Tom Smith is pro-life, period. He will work in the United States Senate to protect our most vulnerable citizens. He will not be afraid to hold officials in the Executive Branch and prospective judges accountable for their views and actions.
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Tom will vote to repeal this expansive and intrusive government takeover of health care and replace it with a market based solution that lowers costs and increases access. Â We can reduce the cost of healthcare by increasing competition across state lines and reigning in frivolous lawsuits.
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For far too long this national security issue has gone unaddressed by politicians in Washington. Tom knows we must secure our borders, and he opposes amnesty for those who came here illegally.
Editor’s note: Text updated to clarify that Smith is referring to the father of the mother, not the father of the baby.
Image via Tom Smith For Senate
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Smith is running behind Casey by almost 19 points.
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