President Obama on Monday called Rep. Todd Akin’s remarks about rape “offensive” and sought to tie the Republican Senate candidate to the GOP presidential ticket.
“Rape is rape,” Obama said at a White House press briefing. He called Akin’s comments “way out there.”
Defining rape, he said, “doesn’t make sense to the American people and doesn’t make sense to me.”
“What I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians, the majority of which are men, making decision that affect health of women,” Obama said.
The Obama campaign said Ryan supported a constitutional amendment that would ban abortion in all instances, including in the case of rape. It also said Ryan, who opposes abortion except in cases where the mother’s life is in danger, had worked with Akin on tough anti-abortion rights legislation.
“The underlying notion that we should be making decisions on behalf of women for their healthcare decisions … that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party,” Obama said.
Mr. Obama is correct. It is ludicrous that committees dominated by men should make public health policy for women. The terms "forcible rape" and "legitimate rape" are redundant.