Mourdock Apologizes for “Misinterpretation of Rape Comments”
On October 24, 2012 Indiana Republican Senate candidate, Richard Mourdock, expressed the following statement about rape and caused a national controversy. “I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” His comments on rape and abortion during the Tuesday debate in Indiana stirred an outcry from democrats, feminists, and rape victims.
After the criticism, Mourdock clarified, “If there was any interpretation other than what I intended, I really regret that. Anyone who goes to the video tape and views that understands fully what I meant.”
In response to this controversial event, President Obama attacked the Republican Party before Mourdock had the chance to clarify his comments. Obama’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, stated the following day of the incident, “This is a reminder that a Republican Congress working with Republican President Mitt Romney [hypothetically] would feel that women should not be able to make choices about their own health care.”
To avoid the political attack, Romney quickly distanced himself from Mourdock’s comments. Romney’s spokeswoman explained, “Governor Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock’s comments, and they do not reflect his views.”
While the two presidential nominees sought to debase one another, Mourdock’s opponent, Democratic candidate, Joe Donnelly, protected his political opponent. “To try and construe his words as anything other than a restatement of that belief is irresponsible and ridiculous. Richard and I believe that life is a gift from God.”
The incident of a misinterpreted comment on rape has not been the only national issue this year. Representative Todd Akins of Missouri State Senate has stated that “legitimate rape” rarely causes pregnancy. He explained in an interview that the biological substance that the male injects into the uterus is propelled out by the woman as a response to the rape. This interview, too, had created anger from feminists and many other people.
Indiana Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s comments affected many people across the nation. He insulted rape victims who became pregnant through unwanted fertilizations, feminists and women voters who sought for a more understand leader, and republican politicians whose party has been hurt through this controversial comment. Furthermore, Mourdock’s simple answer at an interview refocused the nation towards the topic of rape and abortion.