In our hearts, we are all campaign coordinators.. That's why when other people are fixing their yards for the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy, we are reading poll results. That's why when our neighbors have picks down and paid for for Sunday's games, we are mulling over the nuances of Sunday morning's talk shows... In our hearts, we are all campaign coordinators....
When looking back one of the most fascinating aspects that historians will see from this race, is that one of the candidates who is running in October is a completely different entity from the one who once stood up on the Republicans stage, August 11,2012 and raised his hands saying the deficit would be balanced solely on the cuts to necessary programs; not one penny from additional revenue. In one appearance, his first time on stage with the existing President, they will note we witnessed an extreme conservative make himself into the more liberal of the two moderates then up on stage.
So if we assume the new Mitt Romney is for real, we have to look at who he will be bringing into Washington with him. Who are the people riding the Romney Express into Washington?
(This list was compiled from googling "dumb republican rape comments" ... And one important fact to consider, is... not a single one of these are complaining about Mitt Romney's new Moderate stance. Were they previously assured of something before the conversion took place?) Here is a short list ....
Akin, a congressman running for U.S. Senate in Missouri, said rape survivors don’t need abortions because “if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”
King, an Iowa congressman up for re-election, deflected a question about abortions for 12-year-old rape victims by saying, "I just haven't heard of that being a circumstance that's been brought to me in any personal way.”
Walsh, a House incumbent in Illinois, asserted that “with modern technology and science, you can't find one instance” where abortion is necessary to protect a woman’s life or health. “There is no such exception as life of the mother,” Walsh concluded. “And as far as health of the mother, same thing.”
Mourdock, the Indiana state treasurer and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, opined that “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."
Paul Ryan’s opposition to abortions for rape victims.
Abortion should be prohibited even in cases of sexual assault—is the
party’s official position
12 Republican nominations for US Senate—went to candidates who would ban abortion even for survivors of sexual assault.
Ted Cruz, the former Republican solicitor general of Texas, also opposes a rape exception.
So does Pennsylvania nominee Tom Smith.
So does West Virginia nominee John Raese: “I will proudly stand against the destruction of innocent human life unless the life of the mother is in jeopardy.”
When Vermont Republican MacGovern was asked whether “a woman should be forced by the government to give birth to a rapist’s baby,” he answered: “I’ve always in my career and to this day been loyal to the principle of life. I’m pro-life. I’m profoundly pro-life. I’m pro-life to my core.”
Rep. Deb Fischer was pressed for her position on the Republican platform’s call for “a constitutional amendment banning all abortions with no exception for rape or incest.” She responded: “I am pro-life, and I believe in the sanctity of life. I do believe that there should be an exception made for the life of the mother. (not for rape?)
In Ohio, state treasurer Josh Mandel rejected a rape exception and declared, “I’ll do everything I can to protect innocent life.”
In Michigan, Rep. Pete Hoekstra was asked whether a woman should have to bear her rapist’s child. Hoekstra, who was already on record against a rape exception, replied: "I believe life is a gift.”
Wendy Long, a member of Romney's Justice Advisory Committee, boasted during her primary that she was “100 percent pro-life,” whereas her opponents would grant “exceptions” to an abortion ban.
In Washington, state Sen. Michael Baumgartner admitted that “rape is a tragedy” but concluded: "I still believe life begins at conception. That is consistent with my Catholic beliefs. And I believe we must protect life."
In North Dakota, a reporter asked Rep. Rick Berg: “You would not make an exception for rape?” Berg replied: “No.” The reporter asked about punishment for a woman who has such an abortion: “Should we put her in jail? Should we fine her?” Berg answered: “Those are things that need to be worked out through the legislative process.”
Three of the party’s candidates seem not to have addressed the rape question. Kevin Wade, the nominee in Delaware, has repeatedly said he opposes “taking human life.” Dan Bongino, the nominee in Maryland, opposes federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research and believes “life begins at conception and should be protected.” Kurt Bills, the nominee in Minnesota, reportedly sidestepped a rape question but opposes embryonic stem-cell research and boasts that he’s been a “co-author on every … anti abortion bill”
According to Slate, of the 28 nonincumbent nominees, 12 to 15 share the view of Akin, Mourdock, and the party platform. They believe a rape victim should be forbidden to terminate her pregnancy. This is no longer a fringe position..
Romney may be a moderate. From June 13, 2011 to February 22nd, 2012, he got pummeled for it by all the other Republicans in every debate. But Bush W also ran as a moderate. But once in office, Bush W. didn't run his agenda. Those riding on his bus did....