The last few days of the campaign before the election is a different battle than after the election. The "war" will continue. But up to November 6, there is a strategically different way to wage the fight.
The whole issue is centered around 3 points.
1. The GOP's very real War on Women.
2. The GOP's very real desire to ultimately ban abortion by overturning Roe and sending the issue to each state.
3. The GOP's very real attempts to define what RAPE is.
While fighting against all three are battles that must be won, the winning talking point in terms of the election is centered around not only the GOP attempt to redefine what RAPE is through Paul Ryan/Todd Akin "forcible" RAPE legislation, but also the horror of the attitudes GOP candidates and GOP office holders have about the consequences of RAPE.
As an election issue and talking point this should be about RAPE. The overall war on women is obvious to thinking people. But anyone who checks the box for Romney is not a thinking person. They don't see a war on women. "I love you women!"
The overall issue of abortion is extremely important. Roe stands on the balance. Supreme Court nominations and the resulting votes on every issue have decades long implications. Unfortunately, that doesn't swing many people because opinion is hardened for both pro-choice and anti-choice people.
But it is hard to argue about what RAPE is.
Make no mistake. These are not gaffes. Mourdock, Santorum and countless others believe what they are saying. They believe that a pregnancy after a violent RAPE is God approved, and that no matter what, the women or girl---the victim---must be victimized again. That is not a gaffe, it is a belief.
Putting out an apology for a belief in order to "fix" it is ridiculous. You apologize for saying something offensive that you don't necessarily believe but was stated wrong. That is a gaffe. But you can't and even shouldn't apologize for your belief.
Even W stubbornly kept sticking with his beliefs. An apology would have been empty anyway.
Mourdock was saying GOP ideology. About RAPE.
In simple terms, here is why the issue before the election needs to be centered around RAPE.
War on Women---
Democrats: There is a definite War on Women---from their bodies, to their health care, to how they are paid, to the attitude people have about their lives.
Republicans: No there isn't! I love you women!
What people then hear: blah blah blah
Right to choose:
Democrats: Women should have the right to an abortion and the decision should be between a woman and her doctor.
Republicans: We are the party of freedom. With exceptions.
What people then hear: blah blah blah
Rape:
Democrats: RAPE is RAPE.
Republicans: There is legitimate rape, God intended rape, gift from God rape, honest rape, forcible and non-forcible rape, emergency rape, easy rape, enjoyable rape...
What people then hear: See above.
The run up to the election needs to strongly push Republican ideology about RAPE, because that is one thing most people can agree on. And without saying it, it is proof of the overall War on Women.
Make them talk about it. Make them deny it. Make them spin and twist in the wind.
Just like LBJ---as the legendary story said:
LBJ: Spread the story my opponent if a pig-fucker.
Campaign manager: Lyndon, you know he doesn't do that.
LBJ: I know, I just want to make him deny it.