Missouri Rep. Todd Akin Gives GOP Fat Black Eye

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 23, 2012
All Rights Reserved.                                         

          Refusing to give up his bid for U.S. Senate, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) continues his uphill battle against Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).  While polls showed Akins winning before his lethal gaffe, the 65-year-old, five-term congressman has created such a PR disaster for the Republican Party they’d like him to vaporize.  “Well George, I’m never going to say everything that could possibly happen.  I don’t know the future, but I do know this:  I know that the party voters took a look at our hearts, understand who we were, had a chance to meet us many, many different ways and made a decision,” Akin told ABC’s George Stehanopolous.  Speaking on St. Louis KTVI-TV Aug. 19, Akin expressed his strong Tea Party views on abortion.  “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” Akin said Akin to the horror of Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus.

            Akin’s comments were so egregious that calls to withdraw from the senate race came fast-and-furious.  “And it makes me uncomfortable to think that the party bosses are going to dictate who runs as opposed to the election process,” said Akin, pretending his thoughtless, ignorant words didn’t embarrass the GOP, especially presidential nominee Gov. Mitt Romney.  Akin exposed the fanaticism of the pro-life movement where murdering abortion doctors become God’s will.  Condemnations from Mitt followed quickly, worried Akin’s remarks would hurt him on the campaign trail.  “As I said yesterday, Todd Akin’s statements were offensive and wrong, and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country,” said Mitt.    “Today his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should follow their counsel and step aside.”    

            Akin’s statements went beyond any conceivable attempt at damage control.  “The word legitimate doesn’t ever have a good reason to be standing next to rape.  There is no rape that is legitimate,” Akin told Stephanopolous, showing he doesn’t get the extent of his profoundly benighted remarks.  Whether you’re pro-life or not and seek to represent the U.S. Senate, personal zealotry can’t replace awareness of reality.  Akin’s comments are more fitting of someone with a diagnosable mental disorder like paranoia, where twisted beliefs don’t match the facts.  Akin surely knows that his reference to “legitimate” is only one small part of his gaffe.  Talking about what a woman’s body does to reverse the effects of rape shows that Akin isn’t fit for elective office, certainly not the U.S. Senate.  Akin ironically sits on the House Science Committee, where members appreciate real facts.

            Akin finds himself with an avalanche of pressure on him to resign.  No GOP official can support his candidacy without being the laughing stock of the Party.  With Mitt having difficulty making up ground before the November election, the GOP didn’t need embarrassing setbacks.  “The point of the matter is that, yes, pregnancy can happen as a result of rape.  I understand that and I’ve acknowledged that fact . . .” said Akin, trying to backpedal after causing the hubbub.  Akin’s comments on KTVI-TV were not about abortion but what happens to a women’s body after rape.  His pro-life backers no doubt appreciate his anti-abortion zealotry.  What mainstream voters don’t appreciate is the five-term congressman opining about woman’s health and her reproductive system.  While Akin asks for forgiveness, the public has already seen and heard too much to back his candidacy.

            Akin can’t have it both ways:  Strongly supporting pro-life policies, while, at the same time, making up nonsense about rape.  His continued attempts to explain away his remarks other than saying he misspoke have backfired.  “At the same time, I don’t apologize that I’m consistently pro-life.  I believe in defending the unborn and I believe that based on those kinds of principles I can with this race,” said Akin, pandering to pro-life folks in McCaskill’s district.  Making outrageous statements that don’t square with reality demonstrate a lack of fitness for public office.  Akin can talk about his pro-life stands but that has nothing to do with making off-the-wall statements.  Whether Romney denounces Akin or not, if Priebus allows him to continue the GOP will suffer.  Mainstream voters, especially independents, aren’t likely to back a national party that supports wacky candidates.

            Akin must resign quickly or watch his ignorant remarks slime the rest of the GOP less than three months before the presidential election.  No matter how much one opposes abortion, Akin doesn’t help the pro-life movement by making embarrassing public statements that hurts the GOP.  “But lets assume 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,” said Akin, clarifying his remarks to Stephanopolous.  Pro-life advocates walk a slippery slope opposing the rape exception to abortion.  Akin reveals for public consumption his pro-life fanaticism, even where the pregnancy comes from rape.  Even nuanced pro-life views don’t make up stories about what happens inside a woman’s body after rape.  No matter how pro-life, voters can’t back candidates that are off-the-wall.     

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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