Why do I believe this will have a negative effect? I have watched for 40 yrs as the media takes comments by the Right and turn them into weapons to be used by the Left. It happens over and over and still these guys go out of their way to stick their feet in their mouths and to give the Left all it needs to beat them.
Had he said something like “As you know, I am Pro-Life so I would consul any woman who is pregnant to have the child. BUT it is NOT my decision to make.” There would have been no controversy or harm to his chances. Nor would he have lied or ditched his principles.
The media does not even HAVE to distort his comments. He shot himself in the foot. Our people must be CONSTANTLY aware of these traps the media set for us. He blundered blindly right into it. This should have been foreseen and properly prepared for.
Unlike the Democrat voters, Republicans cannot be afraid to tell the truth about their candidates as you propose. We have a higher standard than that.
Me having to call Mourdock’s comment “stupid” does not make me feel good at all. I hate seeing things like that giving aid and comfort to our enemies. But there is no way to avoid telling the truth about it.
No one is talking about abortion per se, the sanctity of life or the “father” but about the use his comments will be put to by the Left. Are you utterly blind to this reality? What have you been watching for the last half century?
Conservatism is not harmed in any way by me but it is harmed by blindly excusing mistakes and blunders on our guys’ part.
“At worst it reinforces the very arguments being made by the media, which you claim to lament - and will lead undecided voters to vote against Mourdock and depress the vote of those who intended to vote for Mourdock but now believe it is hopeless.” This is PRECISELY what I am saying and why it was such a totally bone-headed statement.
Romney was never my candidate but I have to say he has run a brilliant campaign mainly because he has NOT let his mouth run ahead of his brain. Mourdock would now be absolutely dead in just about any other state but Indiana. He might still win but he made it MUCH harder for himself and for the GOP throughout the country.
THAT is the damage to conservatism.
You’re still not addressing the question. You are not in charge of what Mourdock says or does. You can only control what you do.
What are you doing to help get Mourdock elected?