Now is the time for courage (Akin, abortion)

WND ^ | August 22, 2012 | Janet Porter

[Perseverando]

Exclusive: Janet Porter joins pro-life leaders as they stand with Rep. Todd Akin

Want to know why the Republican Party is in such trouble? I believe it comes down to one word: courage.

When Democrats misspeak, we make them vice president. When Republicans misspeak, Republicans are the first in line to throw them under the bus.

When Rep. Todd Akin stood for protecting all innocent human life in a recent interview, he used a word with more than one meaning. He used the word “legitimate” before the word “rape” to mean “real,” “forcible,” a tragic event that “really took place.” Anyone who doesn’t think false claims of rape can be made should check with Norma McCorvey, the “Roe” of Roe v. Wade. The infamous abortion case, based on her false rape claim, has resulted in the deaths of 55 million innocent human lives.

But because “legitimate” could also modify the word rape, some in the Republican Party are practically writing Willie Horton ads about it, pretending that the congressman is “pro-rape” and wants to let rapists out on furlough. This “interpretation” of the congressman’s words doesn’t resemble reality, and everyone knows it.

If Republicans love their country, they will quit using fiction to shoot their own and focus on the real enemies of life: Democrats Claire McCaskill and Barack Obama, who stand for legally sucking the brains out of half-born babies in a procedure called partial-birth abortion.

In America, we shouldn’t kill people for the crimes of their father. And in politics, we shouldn’t kill statesmen for a badly worded sound bite.

Thankfully, there are men and women of courage who stand with Rep. Akin, beginning with the founder of National and International Right to Life, Dr. Jack Willke, who said:

“Congressman Todd Akin remains a strong and courageous

[skeeter]

We all know that a few small minority of rape reports are false. But they are a small minority. Suggesting otherwise again, show ignorance.

Do you believe that 1 in 4 college females have experienced 'legitimate' (which I assume means forceable) rape? Because there are several surveys that make that claim.

I don't mean to be contentious, I'm just throwing it out there.

[alloysteel]

Todd Akin made two very unfortunate statements - one was to use the word “legitimate” in conjunction with the term “rape”. This idea may not have been original, but as Mark Twain remarked, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

The word, the only one that applies in this situation, would have been “forcible” rape.

The second was to delve into old and discredited medical belief with the claim the female body “shuts down” the normal hormonal balance that leads to implantation of the fertilized ovum. While the rape was highly unwelcome, the processes are not that compromised, and conception is about as likely in those circumstances as in the instance of mutual consent.

This was Todd Akin’s “Macaca moment”, which was enough to derail a highly popular and charismatic candidate, George Allen of Virginia, in 2006. And George Allen was on track to be one of the rising young stars of the GOP. He did not recover sufficiently to overcome the wave of opprobrium and disgrace that swelled up in response to that ONE word.

Why is it so hard for Tood Akin to see the effects of that supposedly “innocent” remark?

Once you unleash the avalanche, there is no way to outrun it.

[PhxTM06]

"I made a campaign contribution to Akin a few minutes ago."

Claire McCaskill thanks you for your support for the countless more babies that will be killed off while she has another 6 year term. Way to go!!!

[DemforBush]

Akin’s got to go. It’s that simple, from where I stand. As others have pointed out, it isn’t primarily about misusing the word “legitimate” that’s caused the controversy, it’s about an incredibly bizarre statement on female biology that’s caused the backlash.

Rasmussen has Akin down by 10 points, a double-digit swing from where he stood before the statement. Beyond that, he’s being used as an focal point for the DNC across the country and in the swing state of Missouri. That’s not going to go away unless *he* goes away. Also, it would be one thing if there were no good conservative candidates available to step in to take up the challenge, but there are several in this case. Sarah Steelman is pro-life and certainly conservative, for example.

Now, is it fair that a candidate’s future be destroyed by a gaffe? No, it’s not. Especially not when one considers the many stupid things Obama and Biden have said. But politics, like life, often isn’t fair. Akin’s in the soup, and the odds of him getting out no matter how hard he campaigns are long indeed. That’s the reality of the situation, fair or not. If he steps down, this goes away in a week. If he doesn’t, he almost certainly loses to McCaskill, Obama probably picks up support in Missouri, and pro-life Republicans coast to coast are likely to have to continually distance themselves from the Democrat’s boogeyman of choice this election.

[Son House]

He didn’t misspeak, he’s a ‘Mr Know-it-all’ whose going to argue he’s right even when he’s wrong and doesn’t know what he’s talking about. No thanks. He should have told the reporter he would get back to them if he didn’t know what he was talking about.

Agree, it’s time to throw the ball back and ask the Democrats if they think a normal, healthy pregnancy should end in abortion?

[DouglasKC]

Here here! I’m sick of Republicans falling for this every single time and giving ground to the left on such propaganda and lies.

[PhxTM06]

Bottomline, anyone still supporting Akin in anyway, is in essence supporting McCaskill, that's what it comes down to ultimately. Akin can't beat her, won't beat her.

Once she starts really going after him, his numbers will sink even lower, the best possible chance of beating her now is to get Akin out of the game, stop donating to him, let him know that you want him out of the race, freeze him out/isolate him, if he sees the walls starting to close in around him, he'll back out voluntarily and someone like Brunner, Ann Wagner or Steelman will have a much stronger shot at winning this seat.

[Jacquerie]

Hey expert, tell me chapter and verse from MO statutes, what the GOP options are if Akin announced that he was dropping out of the race today.

[Vermont Lt]

I don’t know about that, but coming at it from a men’s perspective ( with two daughters in college) I would be very careful to categorize any report of rape as “illegitimate” without a ton of evidence.

I would be taking the risk of having to pee sitting down when the womenfolk in my house got done with me.

[PhxTM06]

"it’s time to throw the ball back and ask the Democrats if they think a normal, healthy pregnancy should end in abortion?"

I agree, the public has shifted even more to the pro-life side, its a good issue to run on but not when you're bogged down by discussions of "legitimate rape" and "ways that the female body shuts down pregnancy during rape." The left is successfully attacking these periphery issues thanks to Akin, I don't see that changing until he steps down and lets someone else have a shot at that seat.

[Jacquerie]

Claire McCaskill thanks you for your support

No, she can thank the surrender monkeys at this forum.

[EnquiringMind]

If you want to replace Romney with a real conservative, champ, then replace him with Akin

LOLOL!! Best post today :)

[ScottinVA]

Why is it so hard for Tood Akin to see the effects of that supposedly “innocent” remark?

Because, unfortunately, he thinks it's God's will for him to run for Senate.

[Jacquerie]

when you're bogged down by discussions of "legitimate rape" . . .

To which you contribute. Those soon-to-be aborted babies should thank you.

[Tar and Feathers]

Courage is a word that belongs on a tombstone. As Patton might have said, “No politician ever won an election dying for his party.” As the Dems seem to understand better than the GOP, “You win an election by making the other guy die for his party.”

[skeeter]

LOL I understand.

But in spite of the 'handicaps' imposed by my gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc etc I'll continue to apply the smell test to these 'common wisdom' claims anyway.

Especially when those claims that have been over the years used to promote the policies that are destroying my country.

[PhxTM06]

The GOP has no options in the beginning. Akin would essentially have to sue to have his name taken off the ballot and pay the costs for reprinting (any) ballots. The GOP would then be allowed to select a replacement candidate, up until the 25th of September I believe.

115.359. Withdrawal of candidacy, deadline for, how made.—1. Any person who has filed a declaration of candidacy for nomination and who wishes to withdraw as a candidate shall, not later than the eleventh Tuesday prior to the primary election, file a written, sworn statement of withdrawal in the office of the official who accepted such candidate’s declaration of candidacy. Any person nominated for an office who wishes to withdraw as a candidate shall, not later than the eleventh Tuesday prior to the general election, file a written, sworn statement of withdrawal in the office of the official who accepted such candidate’s declaration of candidacy. In addition, any person who has filed a declaration of candidacy for nomination or who is nominated for an office who wishes to withdraw as a candidate due to being named as the party candidate for a different office by a party nominating committee pursuant to sections 115.363 to 115.377 may withdraw as a candidate no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day after being named as the party candidate for a different office by the party nominating committee.

2. Except as provided for in section 115.247, if there is no additional cost for the printing or reprinting of ballots, or if the candidate agrees to pay any printing or reprinting costs, a candidate who has filed or is nominated for an office may, at any time after the time limits set forth in subsection 1 of this section but no later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth Tuesday before the election, withdraw as a candidate pursuant to a court order, which, except for good cause shown by the election authority in opposition thereto, shall be freely given upon application by the candidate to the circuit court in the county of such candidate’s residence. No withdrawal pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until such candidate files a copy of the court’s order in the office of the official who accepted such candidate’s declaration of candidacy.

3. The name of a person who has properly filed a declaration of candidacy, or of a person nominated for office, who has not given notice of withdrawal as provided in subsection 1 or 2 of this section shall, except in case of death or disqualification, be printed on the official primary or general election ballot, as the case may be. (L. 1977 H.B. 101 § 10.120, A.L. 1995 H.B. 484, et al., A.L. 1996 H.B. 1557 & 1489, A.L. 1997 S.B. 132, A.L. 1999 H.B. 676)

[PhxTM06]

Of course, if we all just stop talking about it and pretend it never happened, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CBS and every newspaper around the country, Claire McCaskill, the DNC, Obama, and every Democrat running for office around the country and using Akin’s stupidity to create radio and television ads to lump their opponents with that dumba##, well they’ll stop as well of course.

[skeeter]

You seem to be well versed in the minutiae of politics. Since youre new around here I have to ask, are you working for anyone in particular?

[Jacquerie]

Thanks for the reference.

So that is the process you think should be followed to get a candidate on the ballot to beat McCaskill?

If so, dream on. Akin is the candidate we have and will have into the election. I support Akin, so should you and every Freeper.