Should Akin Resign For Rape Remark?
U.S. Senator Scott Brown and his challenger Elizabeth Warren both condemned Akin's comments this morning.
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Senator Scott Brown has called on Missouri Representative Todd Akin to resign after Akin made comments Sunday that implied women who are raped could shut down their reproductive organs.
“As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin’s comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong,” Brown, a fellow Republican, said in a statement. “There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking. Not only should he apologize, but I believe Rep. Akin’s statement was so far out of bounds that he should resign the nomination for US Senate in Missouri.”
Brown may be the first prominent Republican to call for Akin’s resignation from the race, according to the Boston Globe.
Both Brown and his Senate rival, Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren, had earlier today condemned Akin’s comments that pregnancy among rape victims is "really rare."
When asked his opinion on abortions in the case of rape during a TV interview Sunday, Akin, a Republican from Missouri who is running for a seat in the Senate, said the following:
"It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. 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."
Brown, a pro-choice Republican, called for Akin to apologize in a tweet Monday morning.
"I found Todd Akin’s comments about rape victims outrageous and way over the line," the message, sent at 6:51 a.m., said. "He needs to apologize."
Just six minutes later, Warren, the Democrat challenger, also took to Twitter.
"I'm disgusted by Rep Akin's remarks about rape," the message said. "The GOP agenda for women isn't just wrong. It's dangerous."
Akin has since said he "misspoke."
What do you think - should Rep. Atkins withdraw from the race? Share your views with other readers below.
Michael West
3:22 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Ignorant and off-the-wall, Akin's comments reveal the Republican mindset is really from another century...
Susanna J. Sturgis
3:55 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Akin's remarks don't exist in a vacuum. It's hard to hold views like his if one isn't surrounded by people who believe similarly. So I don't believe his resignation would serve any purpose. I'd definitely like to hear an apology that went beyond "I'm sorry if I've offended anybody" to include some indication that he understands why his opinion is so insulting, and so dangerous.
Casey Meserve
4:13 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
It's hard to believe that there are people out there who believe that women have the ability to stop themselves from getting pregnant after a "legitimate rape," whatever that means.
barbara Tardanico
3:42 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I agree with you, however in his defense I think he meant some may get into that situation fooling around and then call it rape so they can get rid of the subsequent fetus. Usually when one gets assaulted they report it immediately and proper measures are taken.
Mel Cross
4:20 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
And to think a Democrat can tell folks they would be put in chains....... especially folks that had a history of that..... Its perfectly fine.... since good ole Joe is a libral he can say things like that with out question......................
Ken Esq
6:48 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Right...those were completely analogous statements by the VP and Akin. You're grasping at straws and coming up with air.
Casey Meserve
5:02 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
I don't think he got any slack either, seeing as that story was all over the news all weekend. But his quote about rape pertains to about half of the population of the world.
Mel Cross
7:06 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Joe should also resign.........for his comments. They were equally outrageous, and uncalled for.......
Michael Ellis Day
5:09 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Akin served for twelve years in the Missouri House of Representatives, and has served a further twelve years in the U.S. House of Representatives. In that period he has made no secret of his views on abortion and women's reproductive rights, and has already cosponsored a bill voicing the same views that got him into trouble now. For any member of his party to now express outrage or offense or call for him to step down is gross hypocrisy and craven opportunism. They've known what he stood for all this time, and loved him just so long as he kept winning. Serve him right if his party threw him under a bus now, but he should be obliged to stay in the race!
Barbara Mulvey-Welsh
9:26 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Well said. Least we forget, his cosponsor on the bill you reference is Rep. Paul Ryan, current VP candidate.
Cape Fodder
6:45 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
It's unfathomable that the fine citizens of Missouri could elect Akin on 12 separate occasions, despite what comes out of his mouth. It's almost as unthinkable as the fine citizens of Delaware sending a man of Biden's character to DC again and again. Since we live in a glass house, we'll also need to throw stones more locally: Neither Chris Dodd nor Barney Frank has been seen at a MENSA meeting of late, yet they have "served" (and reserved) their citizenry (and themselves) for decades. One can only hope our local citizens have the wisdom to keep Elizabeth Warren from taking the same path. Her recent remarks and deceitful ways (not to mention her high cheekbones) make those others look like true intellectuals.
Michael Muggeridge
9:09 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Yes, Akin has not reached the depths of infamy, as outlined below, but he should rise above these sordid characters and withdraw . Bill Clinton, survived rape allegations by campaign worker Juanita Broaddrick, along with the accusations of being groped in the Oval Office made by Kathleen Willey, and adding in Ted Kennedy's behavior at Chappaquiddick, not to mention the despicable extracurricular activities of TK and Chris Dodd at a DC restaurant with an abused waitress. The central goal is to defeat non-entity Claire McKaskill.
Michael Walsh
9:27 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Yes, Akin should call it quits. A good rule of thumb: if a candidate is as dumb as Joe Biden, he or she should not be a candidate.
Cape Fodder
6:36 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Akin has to go. And Warren should join Biden in a good game of liar's poker. No winners there. Where do these people come from? Can't we do better than all these bozos (on both sides of the aisle!).
malcolm nichols
8:16 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
"Consensual sex" is oxymoron-ic. Clearly his thought process is distorted. Most would not vote for Akin because of these comments. To best serve has party he should withdraw.
Fred Roven
10:22 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Possibly this is the opportunity to have a full airing of GOP thoughts on women and reproductive rights. Resigning just ignores the reality of the direction the GOP is moving. Also not sure how Romney wins with 0% of voting women support.
Did have one thought, in GOP "dogma", if I woman trains her mind and body not to be impregnated can she be arrested for self abortion?
Deanie
11:48 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
You all are just missing the point! What the man said was wrong & he should step down, but that does NOT represent the GOP side of woman. The double standard is just deplorable! If a Dem says something outragous, they get a pass! BUT,a Republican gets slammed! Romney & Ryan are honorable men & respect women, where Obummercare has just mandated that 15 yo GIRLS can get sterilized WITHOUT parental consent! Now tell me that Obummercare is good for women!! NOT!! Obummer said we didn't need mamograms either! JUST TAKE A PILL! Can't wait for Nov. to get this phony country destroyer out of office! Socialism NEVER works!!
Barbara Mulvey-Welsh
5:22 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Rep. Ryan cosponsored a bill with Rep. Akin that would narrow the definition of rape for abortion exemption purposes. That means that Rep. Ryan is the ideological twin of Rep. Akin. Why should one step down but not the other?
Mel Cross
6:34 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Little bit of stretch there Barbra......
Can't wait to see Ryan debate Biden........ get your popcorn ready.... Biden will be schooled..........or huff off like most librals when they can't string facts together.......
bet the dems put the wraps on ole Joe, he might just say more dumb things................Not too bright talking about Chains.........
Marcia Huyette
8:06 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Socialism never works??? Wow. I guess you don't want the police, fire and rescue depts to head to your house in an emergency.... no more trash pick up - - - we all pay for those "services" - - that's "socilaism" - and I bet you are one of those people who "Hate Commies" - even though you go to WalMart and just about any other store in America and buy tons of cheap crap made in China - therefore supporting a Communist regime! The hypocrisy in this country is overwhelming.
Gene
2:36 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Leave him in the race. Next to Paul Ryan, he is the best thing that could happen for Democrats. He just expressed what all right wing Republicans believe.
Jeff M
2:42 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Gene... come on, do you really believe that? How about we knock off the generalities and media sound bites ...and start respecting one another and opposing viewpoints. No one has it all figured out.
Gene
2:59 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Yes I do. All Republicans I know believe this crap further more, they are compulsive liars and mean spirited.
Jeff M
3:04 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
You gotta find some new friends. The only mean spirit on this page is... well look around
Barbara Mulvey-Welsh
8:41 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Mel Cross - What part of my comment is a stretch? Did Rep. Ryan cosponsor the bill or not? Does his voting record reflect his rigid ideology on women's reproductive rights or not? Why should one step down but not the other? Because he said out loud and embarrassed the ticket? (BTW, I'm not in favor of him stepping down. The ppl of MO voted for him and they should decide if they want to elect him).
Casey Meserve
8:45 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
So the Republican Convention platform has approved a strict anti-abortion amendment that calls for a ban on abortion, without mention of the more common exceptions for victims of rape or incest. What do people think of that?
barbara Tardanico
12:02 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Abortions are not illegal since millions happen daily. The argument is should we the people be forced to PAY for it. I believe in a right to life no matter what stage it is. When our taxes are used to pay for the dispicable practice we all are guilty of supporting the practice. When life becomes devalued we all become devalued and evil prospers.
Bloodyrue Andrue
3:11 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I think it should be left up to the fetus to decide on his or her abortion rights. Wait until they are 18 and can voice their opinion as an adult. Civil rights for the fetus.
James Nyman
10:24 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Not only should Akins NOT resign, he is 100 percent correct
Abortion upon demand remains legal if all a woman needs to do is claim rape.
James Nyman
3:08 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
If claim of rape allows abortion, then abortion is still allowed. Only honest women will be banned from having abortions. Yes, he misspoke. No one is perfect. His blunder will cost him.
AM
12:46 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
This coming from the party of smaller government?? Yea, small enough to fit into every women's uterus!! It's nobody's business! And last I heard abortion is legal in the U.S. but it's okay to have the death penalty?? This party is the American Taliban!!
Casey Meserve
1:20 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
I just checked the U.S. Census's statistics on abortion rates. In 2007, the latest data I found, there were 1,210,000 abortions performed that year. Definitely not millions daily. The most abortions were performed in the states with the largest populations: California and Texas. In Mass. in 2008, 18.3 pregnancies for every 1,000 women were terminated. Here's the link http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/births_deaths_marriages_divorces/family_planning_abortions.html