Another Republican Senate Hopeful Walks Into Rape Controversy
After a speech at the Pennsylvania Press Club on Monday, Republican Senate nominee Tom Smith was responding to questions about the Akin controversy when he appeared to compare the consequences of rape to that of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Smith was clear about one thing: He opposes abortion in all cases, including rape, but things got muddled when he was asked how he would feel if his daughter or granddaughter became pregnant as the result of rape.
Here’s how the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette describes what happened next:
“Mr. Smith replied that he ‘lived something similar to that with my own family, and she chose life. I commend her for that.’
“He added that his daughter wasn’t the victim of a rape. Asked what the similar situation entailed, he said she became pregnant out of wedlock.
“Asked if having a child out of wedlock is similar to rape, he replied: ‘No, no, no, but put yourself in a father’s position, yes. It is similar. This isn’t …’ He trailed off, then continued: ‘But back to the original [question], I’m pro-life, period.’”