USA: U.S. Congressman Todd Akin resists pressure to quit senate race and releases a new ad apologizing for rape comments

Record ID: 347802

  • Title: USA: U.S. Congressman Todd Akin resists pressure to quit senate race and releases a new ad apologizing for rape comments
  • Date: 21st August 2012
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 21, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MARY HAVILAND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR NEW YORK CITY ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT, WORKING AT HER DESK (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARY HAVILAND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW YORK CITY ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT, SAYING: "I think his comment displays a lack of empathy for victims of sexual violenc
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2012 13:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA154HM1AL9AJQ18DE30ZDQBH3Y
  • Story Text: Republican Representative Todd Akin resisted pressure to quit the U.S. Senate race in Missouri on Tuesday (August 21) releasing a new ad apologizing for his inflammatory remarks about rape that have reinserted controversial abortion politics into the U.S. presidential campaign.
    In an ad released online, Akin again apologized for his comments Sunday, when he claimed in a television interview that women could not get pregnant from "legitimate rape," even as senior Republicans condemned his remarks and called for him to step aside in the race.
    Tuesday is the last day for candidates to file in the Missouri race, giving Republicans until later in the day to easily submit a replacement, if Akin decides to drop out.

    "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologize," Akin said in the Web video.

    "The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness," he added. Akin, noting that he is the father of two daughters, also said he wanted "tough justice" for rapists and expressed compassion for victims.
    The Republican challenger is running against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in the November 6 election. Akin has until 5 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) Tuesday to drop out without a court order. He can quit as late as September 25 if he produces an order to remove his name from the ballot.
    His comments have become a distraction ahead of next week's Republican convention to nominate Mitt Romney for U.S. president and put the focus on social issues, rather than Romney's main message of the economy and jobs.
    The controversy has also complicated Republican efforts to win the majority in the 100-member Senate.
    Romney on Tuesday joined a chorus of Republicans calling on Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin to pull out of his race after inflammatory remarks he made about rape.
    Romney, who had called fellow Republican Akin's remarks "indefensible" on Monday but stopped short of demanding he withdraw from the race, was more definitive in a written statement on Tuesday.

    "Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race," said Romney after prominent Missouri politicians demanded Akin give up his campaign.
    Akin is a Tea Party-backed conservative who opposes abortion.
    Romney's vice presidential pick, Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan and Akin both proposed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would outlaw abortion with no exception for rape.
    On Sunday, Akin told KTVI television in St. Louis that the need for abortions in the case of rape was a tough question and that as far as pregnancy is concerned, "if it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Scientists and doctors have long discredited that theory.
    President Barack Obama and other Democrats also called Akin's remarks "offensive". Obama said male lawmakers shouldn't get involved in trying to control women's health care decisions or parse the differences between different types of rape.
    In Missouri, voters had mixed views about whether Akin should quit the race.

    "I'd have him get out. I think he made a mess of everything" Sharon Cohen, a Missouri resident said.
    Tyson Funk, on the other hand, said everyone makes mistakes.

    "I think what he said was misguided. He admitted it was misguided, and I'm all right with it. I think he should stay in," Funk said.
    For those who deal directly with victims of rape, the weight and ramifications of those comments go a long way.
    Mary Haviland, executive director for New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, said she was in a state of disbelief when she heard the Congressman use "legitimate" and "rape" in the same sentence.

    "I think his comment displays a lack of empathy for victims of sexual violence, a lack of ability to understand what happens when somebody is traumatized by the crime of rape and it also displays a lack of understanding of the science and reproductive systems of a woman in a very glaring way," Haviland said.
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