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Romney's Rape Problem
Author: Raine
Date: 08/21/2012 17:31:51
So this is a serious problem for Romney and the GOP. Far be it for me to point out the problems they have, but I think this is worth a mention.
You will recall, from yesterday's blog, I spoke of the Paul Ryan / Todd Akin connection. That they are part of a large group of Republicans who want to redefine the definition of rape - literally. In that post, I linked to the Romney campaign's response to Todd Akins legitimate rape comment:
This week is planking week for the GOP. They are spending the week prior to their convention deciding and voting on the party platform. A funny thing is happening on the way to Tampa Bay. CNN is reporting that they are going to be tough on abortion. That is an understatement from CNN. They are set to state that they want to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. I can't be alarmist enough about this. Let me ask you, how can a party nominate someone who has clearly stated that he and his VP nominee would not oppose abortion in instances of rape? (please note, the Romney campaign said nothing about incest. It's probably just an oversight, but I think it is worth noting.)
As of now, the leader of the party, their presumptive nominee, is in direct odds with the party platform. They nominated a man who wasn't extreme enough for the platform they are ready to adopt. How long do you think the Romney/Ryan campaign is going to hold this position?
He has a real problem right now. People are outraged at the comments that Todd Akin made. Women are outraged at how horrific they were, and Republicans are outraged that he actually spoke truth about where the party stands on Abortion, Rape and Incest.
The GOP is choosing to embrace the Akin / Ryan point of view. I think we'll see Romney tow the party line in the very near future. That gives him a serious rape problem.
and 
Raine
You will recall, from yesterday's blog, I spoke of the Paul Ryan / Todd Akin connection. That they are part of a large group of Republicans who want to redefine the definition of rape - literally. In that post, I linked to the Romney campaign's response to Todd Akins legitimate rape comment:
"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," a Romney campaign spokeswoman, Amanda Henneberg, wrote.
This week is planking week for the GOP. They are spending the week prior to their convention deciding and voting on the party platform. A funny thing is happening on the way to Tampa Bay. CNN is reporting that they are going to be tough on abortion. That is an understatement from CNN. They are set to state that they want to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. I can't be alarmist enough about this.
The Republican Party is once again set to enshrine into its official platform support for "a human life amendment" to the Constitution that would outlaw abortion without making explicit exemptions for rape or incest, according to draft language of the platform obtained exclusively by CNN late Monday.
(snip)
The party will reaffirm its opposition to federally-funded embryonic stem cell research and demand that the government "not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage."
Republicans have also inserted a "salute" to states pushing "informed consent" laws - an apparent reference to ultrasound bills that have moved through some state legislatures - "mandatory waiting periods prior to an abortion, and health-protective clinic regulation."
(snip)
An exemption for rape, though, is not included in the platform set to be adopted by the party Romney will officially lead when he accepts the Republican nomination next week.
And Ryan, his vice presidential pick, has opposed exceptions for rape and voted alongside Akin in the House, though Ryan now says he defers to Romney's position on the matter.
As of now, the leader of the party, their presumptive nominee, is in direct odds with the party platform. They nominated a man who wasn't extreme enough for the platform they are ready to adopt.
And Ryan, his vice presidential pick, has opposed exceptions for rape and voted alongside Akin in the House, though Ryan now says he defers to Romney's position on the matter
He has a real problem right now. People are outraged at the comments that Todd Akin made. Women are outraged at how horrific they were, and Republicans are outraged that he actually spoke truth about where the party stands on Abortion, Rape and Incest.
The GOP is choosing to embrace the Akin / Ryan point of view. I think we'll see Romney tow the party line in the very near future. That gives him a serious rape problem.
and Raine
Comments:
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Comment by 
livingonli on 08/21/2012 18:51:45
livingonli on 08/21/2012 18:51:45
The GOP has just gone so deep in the crazy train that there is no hope for sanity from them.
Comment by 
TriSec on 08/21/2012 19:47:18
TriSec on 08/21/2012 19:47:18
Well, Aikin's staying in.
And he thinks this whole rape thing is an "overreaction".
No, sir....it isn't.
I really don't have any words to convey my opinion on this. I'm trying not to rage myself these days.
And he thinks this whole rape thing is an "overreaction".
No, sir....it isn't.
I really don't have any words to convey my opinion on this. I'm trying not to rage myself these days.
Comment by TriSec on 08/21/2012 19:53:55
TriSec on 08/21/2012 19:53:55
OK, now my mouth is continuing to move, but sounds have stopped coming out.
god "blesses" raped women by making them pregnant
The small "g" is intentional; that's not my God, sorry.
god "blesses" raped women by making them pregnant
The small "g" is intentional; that's not my God, sorry.
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 08/21/2012 20:07:21
When Little Green Footballs is coming out against Republican officials, something is up.
TriSec, this is not the deity that I worship. I hate to say it but the GOP has decided that it can tell women what to do with their bodies. I must ask how they expect to win with these positions.
I am not sure how Romney and Ryan can hold their stated position in opposition to the party. It is not going to work, I suspect.
As for myself, I am stunned that the GOP is now a party that wants to limit women's rights to reproductive choices and fair pay and wants to restrict voting to gain political advantage by disenfranchising many people (primarily the poor, the elderly and racial minorities). This is not the party of Dwight Eisenhower and former Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen. I am afraid that the GOP is not even the party of Goldwater, Nixon and Reagan.
Will in Chicago on 08/21/2012 20:07:21
Quote by TriSec:
OK, now my mouth is continuing to move, but sounds have stopped coming out.
god "blesses" raped women by making them pregnant
The small "g" is intentional; that's not my God, sorry.
When Little Green Footballs is coming out against Republican officials, something is up.
TriSec, this is not the deity that I worship. I hate to say it but the GOP has decided that it can tell women what to do with their bodies. I must ask how they expect to win with these positions.
I am not sure how Romney and Ryan can hold their stated position in opposition to the party. It is not going to work, I suspect.
As for myself, I am stunned that the GOP is now a party that wants to limit women's rights to reproductive choices and fair pay and wants to restrict voting to gain political advantage by disenfranchising many people (primarily the poor, the elderly and racial minorities). This is not the party of Dwight Eisenhower and former Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen. I am afraid that the GOP is not even the party of Goldwater, Nixon and Reagan.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/21/2012 22:27:13
Will in Chicago on 08/21/2012 22:27:13
Raine, it looks like the source of Akins claim leads to a dark chapter in human history. From Raw Story:
Later medical studies rejected the study that Akins and his allies cite.
Akin rape theory rooted in Nazi death camp experiments
By David Edwards
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 16:33 EDT
The theory behind Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-MO) assertion earlier this week that women who are victims of “legitimate†rape would not get pregnant appears to be based on 1972 research that cites experiments done in Nazi concentration camps, a Missouri newspaper reported on Monday.
During an interview with KTVI over the weekend, Akin had claimed that women were not likely to get pregnant because “if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.â€
This reasoning, based on 1972 article by a University of Minnesota Medical School assistant professor, has been used for decades by anti-abortion activists to argue that no exceptions to abortion bans are necessary, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Later medical studies rejected the study that Akins and his allies cite.