Several prominent Republicans have called on Rep. Todd Akin to withdraw from his Senate race against Claire McCaskill, but Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who would serve with Akin if the latter is elected, has now added his name to the list.
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling on Missouri U.S. Rep. Todd Akin to drop out of the Senate race in that state following comments Akin made about rape…
Johnson issued a statement Monday calling the comments “reprehensible and inexcusable.”
Johnson says gaining a Republican majority in the Senate and fixing the country’s problems are more important than any one person’s political ambitions. He says Akin “should do the right thing for the nation and step aside today, so Missouri Republicans can put forth a candidate that can win in November.”
I don’t know whether to root for this to happen or not. On the one hand, Akin has clearly damaged himself and reduced his chances of winning; on the other hand, changing candidates now might reduce the Republicans’ chances even further in that race. But there’s more. Akin’s candidacy could even hurt the Romney campaign:
The Obama campaign was attempting to focus on women’s health and abortion issues, even before the Akin controversy. Earlier this month, Obama campaign aired more advertisements about Romney’s views on Planned Parenthood than any other spot, and the Obama campaign launched an ad attempting to tie Romney to Ryan’s opposition to abortion in instances of rape or incest on Friday. Just yesterday, a friend emailed me an unsolicited picture of an Obama advertisement in a metro station in northern Virginia declaring that Romney was “too extreme” for Virginia because he opposes Roe v. Wade.
It’s not hard to see why the Obama campaign wants this debate. Moderate to liberal social views prevail in many affluent and well-educated metropolitan areas like Denver and northern Virginia, where a strong performance among moderate women can make the difference for Obama, as they did for Bennett two years ago. But more generally, meaningful gains among any group could be sufficient to put Obama over the top, given his proximity to 49 percent of the vote. Undecided voters are disproportionately women, and there’s no question that an overwhelming majority of voters, let alone women, support permitting abortion in instances of rape or incest. And recent polls were beginning to show signs that Obama was making additional inroads among white working class women who, presumably, were increasingly skeptical of Romney after attacks on Bain Capital and his tax returns.
So the Obama campaign was spending millions attempting to elevate abortion and women’s health issues in the minds of socially moderate voters even before yesterday’s controversy, which is all but assured to make Romney’s problem even worse. For voters who have already seen Obama’s advertisements, Akin’s comments could be a crystallizing moment that clarifies GOP’s position on social issues.
But that’s nothing compared to this one. The Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, a longtime associate of Randall Terry and one of the most virulent anti-abortion wingnuts on the planet, is calling on him to pull out as well.
“Congressman Todd Akin’s comment using the term ‘legitimate rape’ is offensive, repugnant and troubling.
“Rape is always violent and criminal and can never be linked with the term ‘legitimate.’ Although I respect the record of Congressman Aikin, especially in the pro-life community, some comments are so offensive and indefensible that one must assume the full consequences and responsibility for making them.
“Congressman Akin can demonstrate he accepts full responsibility by removing himself from the Missouri Senate race.
That’s actually pretty shocking.
35 comments
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Michael Heath
August 21, 2012 at 10:44 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s not merely this collection of yahoos asking Mr. Akin to pull-out; the GOP establishment, like Karl Rove whose the effective is the Chair of the GOP has pulled his group’s funds. In addition the Senator who controls the allocation of GOP Senate campaign funds, John Cornyn is also asking Akin to bail and IIRC so is the titular head of the GOP, Reince whatever his name is.
I’d like to have access to the custom Ouija board which conjures up who the Republicans abandon and who they celebrate. Akin’s position on abortion is arguably consistent with the House Republicans and red-state GOP legislators at the state houses. In addition we have sitting U.S. Senators and House members who deny reality on issues like climate change and economic principles that bring tremendous harm to humans.
So the GOP leadership’s behavior on this matter reminds me more of how they pushed Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott out after a mere gaffe about Strom Thurmond than it reminds of any actual laudable principles the GOP possesses and is committed to defending.
whiskeyjack
August 21, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What I just don’t get is how they figure that a woman using her magical, pregnancy-ending powers to cause a spontaneous abortion isn’t culpable, whereas a woman using her mundane, pregnancy-ending powers of seeking a surgical abortion is. Surely, if life begins at conception, the next step is to circumvent these mystical abilities to make sure that children of rape get to gestate in peace.
danielkim
August 21, 2012 at 10:47 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It is far too late for Akin to pull out, if he wishes to prevent pregnancy.
Stevarious
August 21, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This whole situation is amazing. Republicans, actually realizing that holding incredibly offensive views hurts them in the long run! Republicans, realizing that the term ‘legitimate rape’ is perhaps one of the most vile things you can say!
I’m flabbergasted.
Reginald Selkirk
August 21, 2012 at 10:57 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Report: GOP platform to again call for abortion ban
.
Yes, most of the GOP likes Akin’s opposition to abortion. Many, including Paul Ryan, agree with or are not offended by his opposition to a rape exception. But the pseudo-biology he uses to justify it is apparently too far over the top, and threatens to arouse the interest of opponents. They want to keep it under the radar.
Ryan Jean
August 21, 2012 at 10:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“Conservatives Urging Akin to Pull Out”
So, if he doesn’t, does that count as “forcible” or “legitimate” rape?
Larry
August 21, 2012 at 11:06 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Whether he goes or stays doesn’t change the GOP stance on abortion. The leadership is upset only because Akin was too public about it. Like cockroaches, they work best in the dark.
Jordan Genso
August 21, 2012 at 11:06 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This reminds me of the Sandra Fluke controversy, when Republicans didn’t understand why Limbaugh’s remarks were so horrible. Even Mitt Romney came out and said that he wouldn’t have used those words (“slut” et al), but made no indication that he felt Limbaugh’s point was wrong.
Now Randall Terry is stating that he wouldn’t have used Akin’s words (“legitimate rape”), but he is giving no indication that he actually understands how Akin’s point was wrong.
Michael Heath
August 21, 2012 at 11:06 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Reginald Selkirk writes:
What I don’t get is why this when they celebrate and promote other sorts of fallacious assertions and leaders denying reality. It’s not like they have polls which show their base and swing voters will be offended with Akin’s rhetoric enough to vote differently relative other absurd positions they take.
dingojack
August 21, 2012 at 11:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“I don’t know whether to root for this to happen or not. On the one hand, Akin has clearly damaged himself and reduced his chances of winning; on the other hand, changing candidates now might reduce the Republicans’ chances even further in that race. But there’s more. Akin’s candidacy could even hurt the Romney campaign…”
Ed – you make that sound like a bad thing. :)
Dingo
drr1
August 21, 2012 at 11:16 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Note how quick the GOP has been to call on Akin to drop out of the Senate race. Their concern isn’t with what he said, so much as it is with the impact of what he said on the GOP’s ability to win the Senate.
Stated a bit differently, the GOP appears to be fine with Akin’s beliefs, but would prefer that he kept those beliefs to himself so as not to hurt the party’s electoral prospects. The good reverend Mahoney summed it up well: “I respect the record of Congressman Aikin [sic], especially in the pro-life community,” but some comments are “indefensible.” Translation: “Love your work, dude, but keep the crazy rhetoric under wraps.”
drr1
August 21, 2012 at 11:18 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Larry @7 beat me to it, and said it better.
Jeremy Shaffer
August 21, 2012 at 11:18 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Stevarious at 4:
They’ve known for quite some time that their position on many issues would be considered vile and offensive to, or at least outright rejected by, the average person. That’s why they require people like Frank Luntz to tell them how to phrase policy.
eric
August 21, 2012 at 11:21 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
On the most superficial level, Akin’s crime was voicing support for an unpopular and odious position.
On the next level down, his crime was damaging GOP credibility by bringing up an issue they wanted buried.
But, to my mind, his true crime was naively trusting a source* whose output was designed for the unwashed masses. I can just see the back room discussion now: “Todd, you’re supposed to use our propaganda to get elected. You’re not supposed to believe it!”
*Credit to PZ for the original link.
Chiroptera
August 21, 2012 at 11:31 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Johnson issued a statement Monday calling the comments “reprehensible and inexcusable.”
Holy crap! A Republican candidate really used those words to describe one of his own?
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Rape is always violent and criminal and can never be linked with the term ‘legitimate.’
Really? His main concern is the use of an inapproprate word?
Good heavens, Akins just used a wrong word! It’s clear to me that Akins was distinguishing between “legitimate” and “illigitimate” rape. He meant to distinguish between true, forcible, coercive rape versus all those fake rapes that women just make up to ruin mens lives and to get media attention.*
*This is a description of what these nuts actually believe, not what I believe.
KG
August 21, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Akin’s opponent has noticeably not joined the chorus calling for him to withdraw. I can’t help hoping he will resist the pressure: if he does, he will be a ball and chain attached to the Republican Party’s leg.
azportsider
August 21, 2012 at 11:38 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t think for a minute that any of these conservatives actually believes that Akin’s remarks were ‘reprehensible’ or ‘inexcusable.’ What concerns them is that they know every GOPer running for office this year is going to be tarred with that brush, fairly or not.
drr1
August 21, 2012 at 11:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the source, but…
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/08/20/breaking-rep-akin-plans-to-drop-out-of-race-despite-earlier-claims-to-fight-on/
Modusoperandi
August 21, 2012 at 11:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
azportsider “I don’t think for a minute that any of these conservatives actually believes that Akin’s remarks were ‘reprehensible’ or ‘inexcusable.’ What concerns them is that they know every GOPer running for office this year is going to be tarred with that brush, fairly or not.”
And, since they’ve been so effective at pushing out the Mods, signs point to “fairly”.
But remember, there’s no War on Women. Christmas, yes. Women, no*.
* Just their ladyparts, autonomy and civil rights.
busterggi
August 21, 2012 at 11:49 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It would be great if Akin dropped out now, then he could decide to run again later and we could see Rep. Akin back.
Akin back, achin’ back, that’s a joke, son.
(brought to you by the Kenny Delmar Fan Club)
azportsider
August 21, 2012 at 12:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
@ Modusoperandi: can’t argue with that.
@ busterggi: go stand in the corner.
Abby Normal
August 21, 2012 at 12:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Not everyone is abandoning Akin. At least he still has Kirk Cameron on his side.
Reginald Selkirk
August 21, 2012 at 12:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
If Republicans who want to dump Todd Akin were being honest …
alanb
August 21, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
And the ever odious Bryan Fischer is also backing Akin:
Dennis N
August 21, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
In conservative world, there is a legitimate issue with women rampantly using false accusations of rape as a weapon against men. This must be cracked down upon.
Meanwhile in reality, there is no such problem.
dmcclean
August 21, 2012 at 1:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This line of response to Akin’s contemptible comments strikes me as a politically-motivated intentional missing-of-the-point.
Akin’s use of the phrase “legitimate” rape wasn’t intended to portray the “legitimate” rapes as somehow authorized or acceptable, I don’t think. It was pretty clearly intended to contrast with “the slut was asking for it” rape and/or “she just made up the story to get money” rape.
Both of these sentiments are inhuman and sociopathic, but I think we should stick to criticizing what he actually meant instead of what the soundbite might make someone think he meant, even though it is more complicated to explain.
The reason I think it matters is because there is a huge subculture that shares these opinions (that “the slut was asking for it” rape and “she made it up” rape exist, or even that they are more prevalent than “legitimate” rape), and I think it’s important to disabuse them of that ridiculous myth.
caseloweraz
August 21, 2012 at 1:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a bizarre collection of bogus facts and illogic that Physicians for Life page is! Consider just this one statement (bullet point #2): “One-fourth of all women in the U.S. of childbearing age have been sterilized, so the remaining three-fourths comes to 10,000 (or 15,000).”
The mind boggles.
d cwilson
August 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, because after two years of the GOP passing legislation on exactly two subjects: abortion and voter suppression, to exclusion of virtually everything else (like jobs), the last thing the GOP wanted to talk about was abortion.
The teabaggers fooled the voters with their bait and switch in 2010. They said they wanted to tackle jobs and the deficit and weren’t interested in fighting the culture war issues like abortion and gay rights. But after getting control of the House and several state legislatures, they’ve spent their efforts almost exclusively on the culture war.
fastlane
August 21, 2012 at 2:41 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
To be fair, the teabaggers only fooled the rubes that really wanted to be fooled. Anyone with more than two functional brain cells saw through the charade pretty much immediately.
magistramarla
August 21, 2012 at 2:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
According to the latest news, Akins is staying in the race. His Democratic opponent seems to support this. I hope she’s right, and that this boosts her chances of beating him.
I’m hoping that he remains an embarrassment to the GOTP until he loses the election.
Perhaps the Atheist community should send a bit of support to Sen. McCaskill?
Modusoperandi
August 21, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
fastlane “To be fair, the teabaggers only fooled the rubes that really wanted to be fooled. Anyone with more than two functional brain cells saw through the charade pretty much immediately.”
Oh, please, there’s no way anyone could’ve known that the Christian Right in tricorne hats with tea bags hanging off them would turn out to be exactly like the Christian Right without tricorne hats with tea bags hanging off them! None!
ArtK
August 21, 2012 at 2:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
@Abby Normal
The video is unavailable right now. I wonder if Cameron used a banana in explaining his support for Akin.
Raging Bee
August 21, 2012 at 3:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Notice how the public debate is being carefully redirected away from Akin’s worst offense: the biggest problem here is not that he used the phrase “legitimate rape;” the biggest problem by far is that he harbors (or at least claims to harbor) an insane and totally unfounded belief that rape victims don’t get pregnant because their bodies can “shut down” unwanted pregnancies. That’s the real reason he’s totally unfit for any job outside of the Taliban — but that’s not why the Republicans are calling on him to drop out.
Even as they clamor for Akin to drop out, the Republicans are still covering for him, and still methodically redirecting public attention away from the most horrific of his faults. The next step — after the shouting is done — will be to explain that he misspoke with that one word “legitimate,” and then to show that he actually meant something that wasn’t that far from the truth; then they’ll start claiming that Akin was just another victim of hysterical feminazi political correctness, and got totally screwed by that one word. Meanwhile the substance of what he actually said will be forgotten in a haze of obfuscation, distraction, and misogyny.
We need to keep our eyes on the ball and be aware of what’s going on, and how the media are lying to us.
d cwilson
August 21, 2012 at 3:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That was enough, though.
Akira MacKenzie
August 22, 2012 at 12:03 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
When it comes to politics, I’m not as optimistic as many here. This IS Missouri we’re talking about here; a godfearin’, church-goin’, man-is-head-of-the-woman, a-fetus-is-a-BABY, Red State if ever there was one. Oh yes, the GOP will put on an act now. Hell, the high drama of the “establishment” Republicans vs. one lone, conservative hero will play well among the rednecks. And when November comes, outside a a few blog communites this will be all forgotten. Akin will get his seat and, if their checks clear, our nation’s Capitalist/Christian pig-dog masters will have bought the White House for Mittens and Ryan.
See all of you in front of the firing squad. That is, if they haven’t shot me first.