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Romney: Akin's Rape Comment 'Inexcusable'

As DNC rushes to bash GOP with the controversy

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2012 10:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – Democrats rushed today to milk maximum value out of Todd Akin's assertion that some mysterious biological process protected victims of "legitimate rape" from getting pregnant. DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued a statement trying to tie Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to Akin. "They've been trying to distance themselves from it," she wrote, but Ryan and Akin have partnered on "a whole host of issues that restrict women's ability to make their own health care decisions."

But Romney today unequivocally condemned the comments. "Congressman Akin's comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong," Romney told the National Review. "Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive." Other Missouri Republicans are also scrambling to distance themselves from Akin, Politico reports. "For God's sake. DEFCON 5. Panic for the rest of the ticket," one state GOP operative said. "Major intervention needed.”

House Budget Committee member Todd Akin is seen alongside its chairman, Paul Ryan, in this April 5, 2011 file photo. Democrats are gleefully trying to tie Akin to Romney and Ryan.
House Budget Committee member Todd Akin is seen alongside its chairman, Paul Ryan, in this April 5, 2011 file photo. Democrats are gleefully trying to tie Akin to Romney and Ryan.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
This May 17, 2011 file photo shows U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate, in Creve Coeur, Mo.
This May 17, 2011 file photo shows U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate, in Creve Coeur, Mo.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 82 comments
Wydeeyed
Aug 21, 2012 12:21 AM CDT
Good on you Romney, showing us you can stand up and speak like a real man but in deference to another woman referenced in a current newser article  where the hell were you when Limbaugh was slandering and debasing Sandra Fluke?
happycows
Aug 20, 2012 4:09 PM CDT
Please GOP, just keep talking and telling us what you're really thinking.
happycows
Aug 20, 2012 4:06 PM CDT
GOP stumbling and scrambling around in damage control mode trying to convince us they're now defenders of abortion.  ROFLMAO!
 

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