AP
A defiant Rep. Todd Akin peppered the airwaves Tuesday, continuing to defend his decision to stay in the Missouri Senate race.
In an interview this morning with Matt Lauer on TODAY, the embattled Akin defended his position, saying "this was a decision made by the citizens of our state, not by party bosses." Rep. Akin again apologized for his "legitimate rape" remarks, saying "I think that anybody that was doing a lot of public speaking can make a mistake." He added "I don't apologize for the fact that I am strong in my belief of pro-life." When asked about the risk he poses to his party's chances at overtaking the Senate, Rep. Akin told Lauer, "This is not about me, this is not about ego, this is about the voters of Missouri."
Now that yesterday's withdrawal deadline has come and gone, replacing Rep. Akin in the contest against incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill will prove more challenging, requiring a court order. Rep. Akin is optimistic, though, citing polling that shows he is leading the race (albeit by one point). Whether he can maintain an edge without the backing of his party and its top fundraisers flies against most conventional wisdom - but it looks like we'll all have to stand back and watch, at least for a little while longer.
PANEL
Eric Bates, Executive Editor, Rolling Stone
Maggie Haberman, Senior Political Reporter, POLITICO (@maggiepolitico)
Ari Melber, The Nation/MSNBC Contributor (@arimelber)
Hugo Lindgren, Editor, The New York Times Magazine (@hugolindgren)
GUESTS
McKay Coppins, BuzzFeed (@mckaycoppins)
Bill Nye, Executive Director, “The Planetary Society” (@thescienceguy)
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Todd Akin and Paul Ryan have both also has Sponsored legislation that would not only ban all abortion, but does NOT EVEN HAVE AN EXEMPTION TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER. Mitt Romney also said on the Mike Huckabee Show that he WOULD SIGN "Personhood Legislation", which also has no exemption to SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER. The GOP Plank provided yesterday ALSO does NOT allow EXEMPTIONS IN ORDER TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.
All I am hearing reporters say is that it doesn't include exceptions for the cases of RAPE or INCEST...but for many of MY Conservative friends, it's the case of the mother's LIFE being in jeopardy that makes the view RADICAL.
My life was saved when I had an Ectopic Pregnancy at 2 weeks. Without the abortion procedure I would have died. Of course, the (zygote?) would have died too, not being able to exist without me alive. The GOP WOULD HAVE LET ME DIE ON THE TABLE. This will happen to thousands of women if the GOP gets the legislation they are vowing to pursue. This is BIG NEWS. Even Conservatives don't want women to DIE ON THE TABLE UNNECESSARILY.
Watching the Thomas Roberts show and listening to to some republican surrogate discuss the seemingly wide divide between Paul Ryan and Romney when it comes to the abortion debate and what exceptions, if any, there should be for rape and incest, I heard a word that I had thought had reached the point of extinction in the republican party. That word was "compromise". This surrogate had no problem using that word when he was trying to explain how Paul Ryan could co-exist with Romney on the same ticket despite their divergent views on the rape/incest exception that Romney has again conveniently adopted in the face of political pressure. Paul Ryan presents himself as a man of unshakable, determined principles, a man who would never bow to political pressures and throw aside those principles that he holds so dearly, especially not for some personal gain. I guess that all goes out the window now that he has a chance to become VP. His Tea party buddies must be now looking at him with a rather jaundiced eye. Everyman (especially a politician) can be bought if the incentive is just right. Isn't it nice to hear that word compromise once more!
The Catholic position is similar to the candidate's: God wills life and God wills death, PERIOD. If a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, God expects her to respect His will, and have the child[which she can then put up for adoption, or, can consider the child a Blessing from God, coming out of a horrific event]...Consider this: the perpetrator's life will be spared[with luck, he'll only get ten years, out with five with good behaviour]; the baby will get killed; the perpetrator will then rape again; his life will again be spared; another baby gets killed....THIS is justice in today's world?!
The GOP is so unimpressed & unsure of their canidates in all aspects of political nominees that they have to supress voters to have their choices elected to office. This is truly a sad time in history that the GOP will cheat the American people this badly to win. This is certainly a sad time in history & certainly shows the morals How the GOP has spiraled. Then Mitt has the gall to do a piece on integrity, morals & family.
Again cudos to Chris Matthews again for his call to the table to Priebus about birtherism on Morn. Joe. The sad thing is they really do believe the commoners are that stupid & just don't get it..