In case you haven't been tuned into any political news in the past day or so, Rep. Todd Akin was talking in a TV interview Sunday, about his opposition to abortion, even in instances of rape: "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," he said.
Both President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney denounced Akin's state,emt. And so did Heather Wilson.
“As a woman and a mother, I found Rep.Akin's comments this weekend to be sickening and deeply offensive. There is no such thing as ‘legitimate rape.’ His remarks undermine his ability to command the respect necessary for leadership and he should step aside.”
UPDATE 4:17 pm : Wilson's Democratic opponent Martin Heinrich also reacted to Akin's attitude toward rape..
"Rep. Akin’s comments about rape are profoundly wrong and disgusting to every American. All rape is a violation and can never be `legitimate.' New Mexicans should be able to make their own choices about family planning. I trust that women, not politicians, will make the best medical decisions for themselves and their families."
UPDATE 5:04 pm. Another New Mexico Republican, Janice Arnold Jones, running for Congress in CD1, also has called for Akin to get out out of the race:
As an American deeply concerned about the impact of violent crime on victims, families, and communities, I am extremely offended and repulsed by Rep. Akin’s comments that were reported over the weekend. Such comments show a cavalier disregard for women that I’m quite honestly surprised and saddened to see in this day and age. Mr. Akins’ attitudes and opinions have no place in Washington, and I encourage him to withdraw from his race.
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