Congressman Todd Akin, running to take Senator Claire McCaskill‘s seat, minutes ago told Mike Huckabee that he meant “forcible rape,” and not “legitimate rape,” when he told a Fox reporter he opposes abortion in cases of rape. Akin claimed that women’s bodies can detect when a rape is “legitimate,” and automagically prevent their bodies from becoming pregnant. Or something.
For the record, as President Obama just said minutes ago, “rape is rape.”
Promising to not resign or quit his senate race, Akin today told Mike Huckabee on his radio show, “I really made a couple of serious mistakes that were just wrong, and I need to apologize for those.” Last night, in a statement, Akin refused to apologize, saying he merely misspoke.
“What I said was ill-conceived and it was wrong, and I apologize,” Akin said, apparently in yet another example of a poor choice of words.
“I want tough justice for the sexual predators,” Akin stated, which is curious because that was not the issue.
And, making yet another classic mistake, Akin said, “I’ve even known some women who have been raped,” as in, “some of my best friends…”
Akin did state, contrary to his comments that led to this moment, that he knows women can get pregnant from being raped.
Huckabee offered Akin an excuse, suggesting he meant “forcible” not “legitimate” rape, a major GOP talking point that Akin and Paul Ryan actually tried to get into a House bill they co-sponsored.
Huckabee asked if this was “fatal,” to Akin’s senate campaign, and Akin responded that “there are so many good people in Missouri that nominated me,” and went into an unemployment and deficit song and dance.
Akin, a six-term Congressman, claims he can help fix the deficit in the Senate if he’s elected. In reality, the House is responsible for all federal spending, so, he’s running from a problem he helped create. But facts never mattered to Congressman Akin.
“I’m not a quitter,” Akin said, adding, “I’ve not yet begun to fight.”
Truly disgusting.
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http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F56954979&show_artwork=true
Thanks to Matthew Keys for the audio.