Last updated on February 7th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
The Todd Akin, Tom Smith one-two media gut punch is hiding the fact that three quarters of those polled oppose the Republican Party’s no exceptions anti-abortion plank.
A recent Kos/SEIU poll asked the question, “Would you support or oppose a constitutional amendment banning all abortions without any exceptions, even in case of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is threatened?” Seventy five percent of those surveyed said that they oppose this key part of the Republican Party’s platform. Only 13% supported the no exceptions constitutional amendment, and 12% were not sure. By gender, 73% of women and 77% of men opposed a constitutional amendment that would ban all abortions.
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The Republican Party’s anti-abortion plank is being sold as a protection of life, but it isn’t a protection of all life. The lives of women do not matter. A party that claims to be all about liberty has adopted a position that denies life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to a majority of the nation’s population.
Republicans have made it abundantly clear that they don’t consider women to be equal human beings to men.
Here is Republican Senate candidate Tom Smith explaining his party’s views on women to the world,
Tom Smith: My stance is on record and it’s very simplistic: I’m pro-life, period. And what that Congressman said, I do not agree with at all. He should have never said anything like that.
Vickers: So in cases of incest or rape…
Laura Olson, Post-Gazette: No exceptions?
Smith: No exceptions.
Mark Scolforo, Associated Press: How would you tell a daughter or a granddaughter who, God forbid, would be the victim of a rape, to keep the child against her own will? Do you have a way to explain that?
Smith: I lived something similar to that with my own family. She chose life, and I commend her for that. She knew my views. But, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to.. she chose they way I thought. No don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t rape.
Scolforo: Similar how?
Smith: Uh, having a baby out of wedlock.
Scolforo: That’s similar to rape?
Smith: No, no, no, but… put yourself in a father’s situation, yes. It is similar. But, back to the original, I’m pro-life, period.
What women want or need is of no concern to the Republican. All that matters is what the GOP menfolk desire. Smith’s comments are repulsive not just because they equate an out of wedlock pregnancy to a crime, but also because they equate a violent crime against women to a consensual relationship.
In Republican land, a man doesn’t need a woman’s consent. Women are inferior beings. If they get pregnant, they must listen to the man and have that baby.
Americans are seeing through the ruse. The Republican position on abortion isn’t about being pro-life. It is all about being anti-woman.
When you combine Todd Akin’s comments with Tom Smith’s, and look at the Republican platform, it becomes clear that these aren’t gaffes. This is the stated policy wish of the Republican Party.
Republicans are going to be selling a smokescreen at their convention. They don’t want to talk about abortion. In fact, they buried Rick Santorum’s speech in the hopes that even if he talks about abortion, it will go unnoticed.
But hiding behind the balloons and platitudes, the Republican war on women will quietly rage on.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
