Todd Akin's 'legitimate rape' comment condemned
By The Week Staff | August 20, 2012
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emocrats and Republicans alike criticized comments by Missouri Rep. Todd Akin (R) that victims of "legitimate rape" don't need abortions because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Akin, who recently won the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), was explaining in a TV interview why he opposes all abortion, including for rape. McCaskill called Akin's comments "offensive" and "beyond comprehension," and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he and running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) "disagree with Mr. Akin's statement." Akin, who sits on the House science committee, said in a statement that he "misspoke," but still opposes all abortion.
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