Rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections

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On August 19, 2012 Todd Akin, a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives and candidate in the 2012 Missouri Senate elections, during remarks on rape and abortion, made the claim that women victims of what he described as "legitimate" rape rarely experience pregnancy from rape.

The comments from Akin almost immediately led to uproar, with the term "legitimate rape" being taken to imply belief in a view that some kinds of rape are "legitimate", or alternatively that the many victims who do become pregnant from rape are likely to be lying about their claim. His claims about the likelihood of pregnancy resulting from rape were widely seen as being based on long-discredited pseudoscience with experts seeing the claims as lacking any basis of medical validity.[1][2][3] Akin was not the first to make such claims, but was perhaps one of the most prominent.[4] While some voices such as Iowa congressman Steve King supported Akin,[5] senior figures in both parties condemned his remarks and some Republicans called for him to resign.[6][7][8] In the resulting furor, Akin received widespread calls to drop out of his Senate race from both Republicans and Democrats.[9] Akin apologized after making the comment, saying he "misspoke", and he stated he planned to remain in the Senate race. This response was itself attacked by many commentators who saw the initial comments as representative of his long-held views, rather than an accidental gaffe.

The incident is seen as having an impact not only on Akin's senate race and the Republicans' chances of gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate by capturing the Missouri seat,[10] but also the 2012 Republican National Convention by "shift[ing] the national discussion to divisive social issues that could repel swing voters rather than economic issues that could attract them".[11]

Comments

In an August 19, 2012 interview aired on St. Louis television station KTVI-TV, Todd Akin, the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district and a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Claire McCaskill, was asked his views on whether women who became pregnant due to rape should have the option of abortion. He replied:

Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO)

Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.[12]

The comment was widely characterized as misogynistic and recklessly inaccurate, with many commentators remarking on the use of the words "legitimate rape".[13][14][15] Related news articles cited a 1996 article in an obstetrics and gynecology journal, which found that 5% of women who were raped became pregnant, which equaled about 32,000 pregnancies each year in the US alone. [16] A separate 2003 article in the journal Human Nature estimated that rapes are twice as likely to result in pregnancies as consensual sex.[17] (See also pregnancy from rape.)

Akin responded to the comments by first issuing a press release stating:

"As a member of Congress, I believe that working to protect the most vulnerable in our society is one of my most important responsibilities, and that includes protecting both the unborn and victims of sexual assault. In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it's clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year. Those who perpetrate these crimes are the lowest of the low in our society and their victims will have no stronger advocate in the Senate to help ensure they have the justice they deserve." [18]

And then by airing a commercial in which he said:

"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize, As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault, and I pray for them. The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness." [19]

In relation to the resulting furor over his original "legitimate rape" comment, Akin was quoted as saying:

"I talk about one word, one sentence, one day out of place, and, all of a sudden, the entire establishment turns on you." [20]

Background

See also: Pregnancy from rape

Akin's comments were believed to be based on pseudoscientific claims[2][21] that have been rejected by reproductive health experts.[3] The current scientific consensus is that rape is no less likely to lead to pregnancy than consensual intercourse.[22][23][24][25][26][27]

Opponents of abortion have claimed that women have a biological reaction to rape that makes rape victims unlikely to get pregnant. In a 1972 article, anti-abortion Dr. Fred Mecklenburg argued that pregnancy is unlikely from rape because women are less likely to ovulate after trauma, an assertion for which he cited as evidence experiments in Nazi death camps.[28] Former president of the National Right to Life Committee and general practitioner with obstetric training John C. Willke, said rape victims are unlikely to get pregnant in a book published in 1985, in a 1999 article, and in a 2012 interview.[29] These claims were dismissed by professors of obstetrics at Harvard Medical School and the University of North Carolina.[30]

Pennsylvania state Republican representative Stephen Freind was one of the first legislators to make the argument that rape prevents pregnancy, claiming in 1988 that the odds of a pregnancy resulting from rape were "one in millions and millions and millions."[4][31] Similar claims were made by Republican Henry Aldridge of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1995.[32][1]

Akin cosponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act which would have conferred full legal personhood on embryos beginning at fertilization or cloning. He was also an original cosponsor of bills recognizing only "forcible" rape[33][34] to narrow access to federal funding for abortions. Under the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, as introduced, "victims of statutory rape ... would be on their own. So would victims of incest if they’re over 18. And ... 'forcible rape' ... seems certain to exclude ... cases where a woman is drugged or has a limited mental capacity."[35]

Reactions

Akin's remarks were strongly condemned by some Republicans. Mitt Romney said they were "inexcusable, insulting, and frankly, wrong."[8] and called for Akin to step down, as did Paul Ryan.[36] The National Republican Senatorial Committee said that “if he continues with this misguided campaign, it will be without the support and resources of the NRSC.” Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Akin's remarks were "totally inexcusable" and "wildly offensive". Conservative commentators Sean Hannity, Charles Krauthammer, and Mark Levin all called for Akin to step aside, as did the editorial teams of the Wall Street Journal and National Review,[37] and nine sitting US Senators, along with all four former Republican Missouri Senators: John Danforth, Kit Bond, James Talent and John Ashcroft and also serving Missouri Republican Senator Roy Blunt.[38][7] Fellow Republican Congressmen and Senate hopefuls Jeff Flake and Denny Rehberg further added their names to those calling for his resignation.[39] Republican super-pac American Crossroads announced it would be cutting off all aid to Akin's candidacy.[40]

After Akin cancelled an interview on the CNN show Piers Morgan Tonight, host Piers Morgan spoke to the empty chair meant for Akin and denounced him as "a gutless little twerp".[41]

There have been multiple calls from Republicans for him to step down as nominee. The Washington Post reported a "stampede" of Republicans dissociating from Akin as part of damage control, with NRSC chairman John Cornyn saying the GOP would no longer provide him Senate election funding and describing Akin as "endangering Republicans’ hopes of retaking the majority in the Senate".[42] A campaign spokesman for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan said both disagreed with Akin's position and would not oppose abortion in instances of rape. Ryan reportedly called Akin to advise him to step aside.[43] RNC Chairman Reince Priebus warned Akin not to attend the upcoming 2012 Republican convention and said he should resign the nomination. He described Akin's comments as "biologically stupid" and "bizarre" and said that "This is not mainstream talk that he's referring to and his descriptions of whatever an illegitimate rape is. We're hoping he hears [these calls to drop out of the race]".[44][9] According to The Hill, "prominent conservative bloggers" urged Akin to drop out, while "influential conservative voices" such as Erick Erickson and Richard Grenell tweeted that Akin was dropping out, the latter of which was interpreted by The Hill as a way of pressuring Akin to drop out of the race.[45]

Akin has been defended by some social conservative organizations, including the Family Research Council. A spokesman for the Council said that "We feel this is a case of gotcha politics... We know who Todd Akin is. We've worked with him up on the hill. He's a defender of life."[6] Akin's remarks were also defended by the evangelical Christian activist Kirk Cameron.[46] A representative of the American Family Association cited Willke's 1999 article to argue Akin "was exactly right".[3] Pro-life theologian Pia de Solenni called Akin's remarks "idiotic", but also claimed that there is "no solid data" on the question of whether rape inhibits pregnancy, and opined that it was not a "far stretch [from effects of long-term stress on fertility] to wonder if women who are raped might have a lesser rate of pregnancy resulting from the rape".[47] Robert Fleischmann, director of pro-life group Christian Life Resources, similarly argued that Akin's point was plausible but lacked data ("I have yet to see a study that demonstrates some sort of contraceptive effect from a rape. I do believe, however, it is not an unwarranted conclusion." and "Statistically speaking, it appears something happens in a rape, either with the victim or with the perpetrator, that reduces the incidence of pregnancy.").[48] In response to Republican demands that Akin resign, Personhood USA spokeswoman Jennifer Mason said that Akin's position "is an integral part of the Republican Party platform, the same position that was held by President Ronald Reagan" and that "[we] are left with Reagan Republicans, who agree with the Republican Party platform on abortion, and Romney Republicans, a fringe group of liberals who compromise on human life."[49][50] Mike Huckabee supported Akin by soliciting donations for his Senate campaign and accusing the "Republican establishment" of a "carefully orchestrated and systematic attack."[51]

Akin's Senate opponent, Claire McCaskill, released a statement stating, "It is beyond comprehension that someone can be so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape.....The ideas that Todd Akin has expressed about the serious crime of rape and the impact on its victims are offensive."[52]

President Barack Obama also responded to Akin's comments by saying "Rape is rape....And the idea that we should be parsing and qualifying and slicing what types of rape we're talking about doesn't make sense to the American people and certainly doesn't make sense to me."[53]

Akin gave two radio interviews in which he stated that he was in the race to win. On The Sean Hannity Show, he stated "I was told that there is a decision has to be made by 5 o'clock tomorrow but I was calling you and letting you know that I'm announcing today that we're (staying) in."[54] On the Mike Huckabee show he stated, "Rape is never legitimate... I used the wrong words in the wrong way."[55]

On August 26 Mary Matalin said on ABC ThisWeek that Republicans would "run a write-in" candidate to defeat Akin, and would "transfer the money" if necessary.[56]

Political impact

Political analysts from the New York Times and the Washington Post said that the comments have the potential to swing the United States Senate election in Missouri, 2012.[57][58] Akin's comments sparked a renewed focus on the so-called Republican "War on Women".[59][60][61][62] Political analysts have pointed out Akin's cosponsorship of anti-abortion bills with vice presidential candidate Ryan[63][64][65] and the Obama campaign has "attempt[ed] to link the Wisconsin lawmaker to controversial remarks Akin made about about rape."[66] Businessweek stated that the incident will draw attention to the fact that the national platform of the GOP "allow[s] no exception for terminating pregnancies caused by rape."[67] It also led to a focus on other GOP candidates' positions on rape and abortion; Tom Smith, a candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, was criticized for saying that pregnancy out of wedlock was "similar" to rape in response to a question about abortion exceptions for rape, a question that he might not have been asked had Akin's controversial comments not brought GOP rape views into the public eye.[68] The event was seen as hurting the Republicans' chances to win over swing voters, by highlighting their controversial positions on social issues rather than the economic issues they hoped to emphasize.[69]

A national poll conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion showed that 84% of Americans disagreed with Akin's comments about "legitimate rape", and that 63% wanted him to drop out of the U.S. Senate race.[70] A poll released August 23rd by Rasmussen Reports showed a steep drop in support for Akin among Missouri voters with McCaskill leading Akin in this poll by roughly 10 points in a sharp reversal of Akin's earlier lead.[71][72]

A poll released August 24th showed that Mitt Romney's previous lead over Barack Obama among Missouri voters had "vanished", with the two presidential candidates tied within the margin of error.[73]

According to Charles Babington of the Associated Press, the incident highlighted the long-running tension between the social conservative and more moderate, corporate factions of the Republican party. According to Babington, social conservatives were angered by the criticism directed at Akin by more moderate Republicans such as Mitt Romney. In the wake of Romney's and other Republican leaders calls for Akin to quit the senate race, socially conservative Republican Mike Huckabee, for example, called the National Republican Senatorial Committee "union goons."[74]

Akin Plank

Following the controversy over Akin's remarks concerning "legitimate rape", Democrats began calling a platform provision at the 2012 Republican National Convention that calls for a "human life amendment" to the Constitution which bans abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest the "Akin Plank".[75][76][77]

References

  1. ^ a b "A Canard That Will Not Die: 'Legitimate Rape' Doesn't Cause Pregnancy". The Atlantic. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  2. ^ a b Graham, David A. (August 22, 2012). "Video of the Day: 'Forcible Rape' and Paul Ryan's Akin Problem". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c "Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape". The New York Times. 2012-08-21. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  4. ^ a b Kliff, Sarah (August 20, 2012). "Rep. Todd Akin is wrong about rape and pregnancy, but he's not alone". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  5. ^ "Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion". CBS News. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  6. ^ a b "Leading social conservatives rally to Akin's defense". CNN. CNN. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. ^ a b Seung Min Kim (August 21, 2012). "List of senators calling on Akin to quit keeps growing". Politico. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  8. ^ a b Costa, Robert. "Romney: Akin's Comment 'Inexcusable'".
  9. ^ a b Killough, Ashley (August 20, 2012). "GOP chair: Akin should drop out, skip convention". CNN. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  10. ^ Akin Vows to Stay in Race After "Legitimate Rape" Gaffe NBC 10 Philadelphia Scott Ross Monday, Aug 20, 2012 | Updated 6:56 PM EDT
  11. ^ Akin imbroglio is bad news for Republicans Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:23 PM EDT, Wed August 22, 2012
  12. ^ Jaco, Charles. "The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012". Fox News. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  13. ^ DiSalvo, David. "Republican Senate Nominee Todd Akin: Victims Of "Legitimate Rape" Don't Get Pregnant". Forbes. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  14. ^ Abouhalkah, Yael T. "Todd Akin's rape fantasy". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  15. ^ Eligon, John. "Senate Candidate Provokes Ire With 'Legitimate Rape' Comment". Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  16. ^ Holmes, Melisa M.; Resnick, Heidi S.; Kilpatrick, Dean G.; Best, Connie L. (1996). "Rape-related pregnancy: Estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women". American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 175 (2): 320–4, discussion 324–5. PMID 8765248. Cited in: Blake, Aaron. "Todd Akin, GOP Senate candidate: 'Legitimate rape' rarely causes pregnancy". Washington Post. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  17. ^ Gottschall, Jonathan A.; Gottschall, Tiffani A. (2003). "Are per-incident rape-pregnancy rates higher than per-incident consensual pregnancy rates?". Human Nature. 14: 1–20. doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1014-0. Cited in: Robillard, Kevin. "Doctors: Todd Akin pregnancy claim bogus". Politico. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  18. ^ Akin, Todd (August 19, 2012). "Akin Statement on "Jaco Report" Interview". "Todd Akin for U.S. Senate 2012" campaign website. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  19. ^ Akin, Todd (August 21, 2012). "Forgiveness". Youtube. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  20. ^ Dowd, Maureen, "Just Think No", New York Times op-ed, August 21, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  21. ^ "The Todd Akin Affair: Grenades and Stilettos". The Economist. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012. [Akin's] claim—a pseudo-scientific fiction that has long been advanced by some pro-life activists who want to outlaw abortion for rape victims—was denounced by the Republican establishment
  22. ^ Danielle Dellorto, Experts: Rape does not lower odds of pregnancy, CNN Health (22 August 2012)
  23. ^ Sharon Begley and Susan Heavey, Rape trauma as barrier to pregnancy has no scientific basis, Reuters (20 August 2012).
  24. ^ Belluck, Pam (20 August 2012). "Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape". New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  25. ^ Carroll, Linda (21 August 2012). "Doctors appalled over Rep. Akin's comments that 'legitimate rape' prevents pregnancy". NBC News. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  26. ^ Shastry, Sangeeta (20 August 2012). [http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/20/3771226/doctors-dispute-akins-claim-but.html "Doctors dispute Akin�s claim, but some supporters say it was misunderstood"]. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 21 August 2012. replacement character in |title= at position 21 (help)
  27. ^ Clancy, Kate (20 August 2012). "Here is Some Legitimate Science on Pregnancy and Rape". Scientific American. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  28. ^ Townsend, Tim; Bernhard, Blythe (August 21, 2012). "Akin appears to have picked up conclusions from 1972 article now hotly disputed". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  29. ^ Willke, John C. (April 1999). "Rape Pregnancies Are Rare". Life Issues Connector. Christian Life Resources. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  30. ^ "Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape". The New York Times. 2012-08-21. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  31. ^ "Freind admits he erred, exaggerated on rapes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 30, 1988.
  32. ^ "Lawmaker Says Rape Can't Cause Pregnancy". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. April 21, 1995. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ "H.R. 3 -- No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (112th Congress)".
  34. ^ "H.R. 358 -- Protect Life Act (112th Congress)".
  35. ^ Goldberg, Michelle (30 January 2011). "GOP Abortion Bill Redefines Rape". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  36. ^ Davis, Susan (August 21, 2012). "Romney calls on Akin to withdraw from Senate race". USA Today. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  37. ^ Condon, Stephanie. "Defiant Akin says he's staying in race".
  38. ^ Vaughn, Jason M. (August 21, 2012). "Romney, Blunt, Ashcroft, Bond, Danforth and Talent Call for Akin to Step Aside". Fox4kc.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  39. ^ Camia, Catalina (August 20, 2012). "Romney, GOP, criticize Akin controversial comments on rape". USA Today. Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  40. ^ Henderson, Nia-Malika; Kane, Paul (August 21, 2012). "Todd Akin should drop out of Senate race, Romney says". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  41. ^ Blake, Meredith (August 21, 2012). "Piers Morgan calls Todd Akin a 'gutless little twerp'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  42. ^ Nia-Malika Henderson & Paul Kane (2012-08-20). "National GOP pulls funding from Todd Akin's Missouri race". The Washington Post. Washington DC: Washington Post Company. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  43. ^ "Reports: Paul Ryan called Todd Akin — Tim Mak". Politico.Com. 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  44. ^ "PICKET: RNC Chair wants Akin to 'step aside' and not come to convention". Washington Times. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  45. ^ Jaffe, Alexandra (August 20, 2012). "Republicans pressure Akin to drop out". The Hill. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  46. ^ Leora Arnowitz. "Kirk Cameron defends Rep. Todd Akin 'legitimate rape' comment". Newsday. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  47. ^ Pia de Solenni, "Responding To Akin: When Pro-Lifers Do The Work For Abortion Advocates", blog posting (21 August 2012).
  48. ^ Robert Fleischmann, Rape, Pregnancy, and the Akin Controversy, Christian Life Resources (21 August 2012).
  49. ^ "Defending Todd Akin: 5 reasons right-wingers still support him". The Week. August 23, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  50. ^ jennifer (August 22, 2012). "Personhood USA calls on Romney to back Akin in support of GOP Platform". Personhood USA. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  51. ^ "Huckabee stands by Akin in embattled Senate bid". CBS News. August 23, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  52. ^ Associated Press. "Rep. Akin: Pregnancy from rape is 'really rare'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  53. ^ Condon, Stephanie. "Akin apologizes for rape comments; Obama says "rape is rape"". CBS News. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  54. ^ Haberman, Maggie. "Akin: Seriously, I am not getting out". Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  55. ^ "Todd Akin Apologizes for Rape Comments in Interview With Huckabee". THe Atlantic. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  56. ^ Legum, Judd (August 26, 2012). "Top GOP Operative: Republicans 'Will Run A Write-In' To Defeat Todd Akin". ThinkProgress. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  57. ^ Silver, Nate (August 19, 2012). "Akin Comments Could Swing Missouri Senate Race". The New York Times.
  58. ^ Henneberger, Melinda. "Say goodnight, Todd Akin". Washington Post. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  59. ^ Maxwell, Zerlina (August 20, 2012). "Todd Akin, Paul Ryan and the very real war on women". New York Daily News.
  60. ^ Robinson, Eugene (August 20, 2012). "Todd Akin's comment brings 'war on women' back to prominence". The Washington Post.
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  62. ^ "Despite Denials Akin's Comments Are Part GOP War On Women". CBS. August 20, 2012.
  63. ^ Zengerle, Patricia. "Republicans push Akin to quit Senate race over rape comments | Reuters". In.reuters.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  64. ^ Sargent, Greg. "How bad is the Ryan-Akin anti-abortion bill?". Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  65. ^ Mahtesian, Charles. "Akin: A damage estimate". Politico. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  66. ^ Obama Hits Ryan on Bill's 'Forcible Rape' Language Christian Broadcast News. Thursday, August 23, 2012
  67. ^ Republican Platform Panel Backs Blanket Ban on Abortion Businessweek James Rowley August 22, 2012
  68. ^ http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/08/27/tom_smith_republican_candidate_makes_rape_gaffe.html The Fruits of Todd Akin: Pennsylvania Edition]
  69. ^ Akin imbroglio is bad news for Republicans Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:23 PM EDT, Wed August 22, 2012
  70. ^ Canseco, Mario. "Americans of All Political Stripes Believe Akin Should Drop Out of Senate Race" (PDF). Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  71. ^ Rasmussen Reports (August 23rd, 2012). Election 2012: Missouri Senate. Retrieved 2012-8-23
  72. ^ Silver, Nate (August 23rd, 2012). Voters Could Sit Out Missouri Senate RaceThe New York Times. Retrieved 2012-8-23
  73. ^ Rasmussen Reports (August 24th, 2012). Election 2012: Missouri President. Retrieved 2012-8-25
  74. ^ Babington, Charles, Associated Press, "Analysis: Akin row shows GOP's social-fiscal rift", Yahoo! News, 27 August 2012
  75. ^ Feldmann, Linda. "Akin plank: GOP set to approve 'no exceptions' anti-abortion platform". Alaska Dispatch. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  76. ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. "Dems: GOP platform includes 'Akin' plank". Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  77. ^ Borchers, Callum. "Republican plank opposes all abortions". Retrieved 27 August 2012.
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