[tanknetter]

What percentage of the voters would vote for a candidate who used her talking points?

Talking pure political mechanics here, that's not really it. What matters is that her talking points effectively neutralize (or maybe "depolarize" is the right term) the issue and allow the candidate to focus instead on the bread/butter economic and statist issues.

There are two problems with the Missouri Jack@$$'s comments. The smaller one is that he verbally fumbled the ball in using the term "legitimate rape".

The much BIGGER one is that he claimed a uterus is smart enough to realize that a rape has occurred and will reject the zygote/embryo. Which is utter insanity and something the very existence of the woman writing this thoughtful commentary directly contradicts. While he's at it, why doesn't he just go ahead and claim that the world is really flat too?

[sam_paine]

That’s why I don’t get the defenders here that he just “misspoke.”

No. He misunderstands basic biology! He correctly spoke of his misapprehension!

[Ditter]

I think what Akin was told by doctors was that a woman's body would sometimes recognize the trauma, physical and emotional trauma and spontaneously abort.

[98ZJ USMC]

There are two problems with the Missouri Jack@$$’s comments. The smaller one is that he verbally fumbled the ball in using the term “legitimate rape”.

The much BIGGER one is that he claimed a uterus is smart enough to realize that a rape has occurred and will reject the zygote/embryo. Which is utter insanity and something the very existence of the woman writing this thoughtful commentary directly contradicts. While he’s at it, why doesn’t he just go ahead and claim that the world is really flat too?

---

This is exactly correct and is what has most of us picking our heads off the desk. You can argue “standing by principle” all you want. It’s irrelevant. This was mind-numbing stupidity that makes all Christians look like radical fundies.

....and stupid ones at that.

No, he needs to go, but that appears to be moot at this point.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . he claimed a uterus is smart enough to realize that a rape has occurred and will reject the zygote/embryo.

Really? He attributed independent thought to the uterus? Please point me to his words in that regard. Thanks.

[HamiltonJay]

Agreed, “legitimate rape” is just instantly morally repugnant on its face, and deserves the harsh criticism its received.

The claim that the female reproductive system will stop a pregnancy if the sperm is introduced involuntarily is just flat out IGNORANT.

The first is more politically damaging as far as the campaign goes.. the latter is far more scary long term that this guy could be in a position to make and vote on laws.

The guy didn’t just gaffe, he showed complete ignorance. He’s now decided to stay in, which will now create a millstone around the neck of every republican out there because his comments have been nationalized. It won’t matter in many races, but in close races this guys comments and the fact he’s sticking around will indeed cost seats.