On Sunday, the GOP received another image blow from one of its own. Todd Akin, Missouri Republican, told a reporter that legitimate rape victims don’t get pregnant.
Todd Akin, the Missouri Republican candidate for the Senate gave one incredible reason on rape and abortion and why rape victims rarely get pregnant. The Republican is also a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, but that didn’t stop him from saying that the female body has its own ways of shutting down when it comes to legitimate rape, so there’s no considerable risk of pregnancy.
Charles Jaco, host for local television KTVI-TV, asked Todd Akin about his stand on abortion in the case of rape. “If abortion could be considered in the case of, say, a tubal pregnancy, what about in the case of rape? Should it be legal or not?” Charles Jaco addressed his question.
“It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare” answered the Missouri Republican now challenging incumbent Claire McCaskill, Democratic Senator. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down”, Todd Akin continued his scientific explanation.
“But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child” the Missouri Republican and tea party candidate added.
When looking at the data, it’s obvious pregnancy caused be legitimate rape is not that rare. In fact, a 1996 study estimated that each year there are 32,101 pregnant rape victims. Data from the Rape Trauma Services reads that 1.3 women in the U.S. are raped each minute. That means 1,871 women per day are victims of rape.
After Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” statement went viral online, the Missouri Republican issued several online comments. Both on Twitter and Facebook, Akin excused himself for misspeaking. “To be clear, all of us understand that rape can result in pregnancy & I have great empathy for all victims. I regret misspeaking” reads Akin’s Twitter post.
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan both reacted to Todd Akin’s epic fail and made sure everybody knew their stances on rape and abortion. “Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape” said Andrea Saul, spokeswoman for Mitt Romney.
