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A very easy answer to the abortion question regarding forcible rape is to simply say something like "It's not the baby's fault, and that's just how I feel - next question". If Akin had simply said that, him and 10 others would be taking over the Senate. But the damage, obviously, spilled over to Romney, as it got women thinking about something other than the economy.

Another good way to handle it is as follows. Just say two things, and nothing else:

1. Rape is a crime and the perpetrator should be punished.

2. Abortion should only be considered if the life of the mother is unquestionably threatened by continuing the pregnancy.

Then call for the next question. Say no more. Shut your big mouth. The first answer frames the question properly and places the responsibility on the perpetrator, where it should be. The second sums up your position without injecting concepts like "legitimate rape", a magic uterus, or God's will, things that the media will twist and conflate and utterly destroy you with, and of course the average voter, not being very smart, will buy it.

“Shut your big mouth.”

I thought that was directed at me, LOL. Yes, your answer is better than mine...but even mine would probably be enough to keep it off the headlines, yet still not compromise anything. And I agree - life of the mother is certainly acceptable - since someone will die either way (anyway).

Another good way to handle it is as follows. Just say two things, and nothing else:

Actually, Republicans need to STFU altogether about abortion. Abortion is to Republicans what gun control is to Democrats; a net vote loser. Pro-life accolades bring nobody new to the party. They only drive people away.

Candidates need to understand that Roe v. Wade is the Law of the Land (and is highly unlikely to get overturned) and this should be their answer. They can vote for pro-life initiatives once elected. Demanding an anti-abortion litmus test from every Republican running for office is a recipe for disaster. How many babies are Akin and Mourdock saving these days? Their idiocy drove away millions of female and moderate voters and gave the pro-abortion side two more Senators.

>>A very easy answer to the abortion question regarding forcible rape is to simply say something like "It's not the baby's fault, and that's just how I feel - next question". If Akin had simply said that, him and 10 others would be taking over the Senate. But the damage, obviously, spilled over to Romney, as it got women thinking about something other than the economy.
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>Another good way to handle it is as follows. Just say two things, and nothing else:
>1. Rape is a crime and the perpetrator should be punished.
>2. Abortion should only be considered if the life of the mother is unquestionably threatened by continuing the pregnancy.
>
>Then call for the next question. Say no more. Shut your big mouth. The first answer frames the question properly and places the responsibility on the perpetrator, where it should be. The second sums up your position without injecting concepts like "legitimate rape", a magic uterus, or God's will, things that the media will twist and conflate and utterly destroy you with, and of course the average voter, not being very smart, will buy it.

Better yet, when the question about such rape comes up respond with: "Why do you want to kill someone for something that their parent did? Your position makes as much sense as throwing you in prison for 20 years because your mother cheated on her taxes."