Obama on Akin: Rape is Rape

[mcgee]

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/obama-todd-akin-rape_n_1812140.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

In a surprise news conference Monday, President Barack Obama addressed the controversy surrounding a remark by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) that women who suffer "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant.

"The views expressed were offensive," said Obama. "Rape is rape. And the idea that we should be parsing and qualifying and slicing what types of rape we are talking about doesn't make sense to the American people and certainly doesn't make sense to me. So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women."

The comments are the most high profile in a series of rebukes from both Democrats and Republicans. Earlier in the day, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney also condemned Akin, who is running to unseat Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

Obama did not call on Akin to leave the race, as some Republicans have done. "He was nominated by the Republicans in Missouri," he said, "I will let them sort that out." He did, however, use the opportunity to contrast his approach toward women's health care with that of the GOP.

"Although these particular comments have led Governor Romney and other Republicans to distance themselves, I think the underlying notion that we should be making decisions on behalf of women for their health care decisions, or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape, I think those are broader issues," Obama said. "And that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party."

[smock]

"So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women."

Hallelujah!

[Deleted]

Did Hillary help write that speech? It sounds like something she would say

[mcgee]

Aug 20, 2012 14:10:05 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Did Hillary help write that speech? It sounds like something she would say

^o) Obama has always been pro-choice, and it sound exactly like something he would say. Good for him for saying it and for further publicizing Todd Akin being an ignorant ass.

[JLN]

Aug 20, 2012 14:07:24 GMT -5 smock said:

"So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women."

Hallelujah!

Thank you baby jesus. I know CPE doesn't agree with me when I say it, but I'm glad Obama does.

[Deleted]

Love Obamas remarks. Love.

[laurenpetro]

i think i need new panties.

[ttt]

Aug 20, 2012 15:10:19 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

i think i need new panties.

Not jeans?

[Michelle]

I think Obama is a lurker on this board.

;-)

[emisi]

Awesome. Go Obama!

[sunny]

I like that he felt the need to come out and say this. Because sadly, we need to hear that someone has some sense.

I mean, really, Missouri!!

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2012 20:44:50 GMT -5 sunny said:

I like that he felt the need to come out and say this. Because sadly, we need to hear that someone has some sense.

I mean, really, Missouri!!

"Really, Missouri" my ass. Every fellow Missourian I've talked to in the last 2 days, Republican or Democrat, has denounced this.

How many Missourians do YOU know who gave his remarks the thumbs up? Cause, damn...may want to rethink your social circle.

[thejackpot]

Go Obama! I expected nothing less from him.

[blacksred]

I love when Obama shows me one of the reasons i originally voted for him. I also really wish politicians could be more regular and for someone (Hillary) to say Are you f*ing kidding me? to this guy Akin.