GOP Senate candidate Richard Mourdock is trying to clarify comments he made during Tuesday’s second and final debate regarding abortion and rape.
When asked his position on abortion rights, Mourdock said he only supports abortion in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. He went on to say life is a gift from God.
“And I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something that God intended to happen.”
Democrats have jumped on these comments, with state party chair Dan Parker saying it’s further proof Mourdock is an extremist who’s out of touch with Hoosiers. Democratic Senate hopeful Joe Donnelly says Mourdock’s remarks are shocking and disrespectful to survivors of rape.
In a statement, Mourdock insists rape is a horrible thing, saying that for anyone to twist his words is absurd and sick. The Republican says his only point was that God creates life.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence has weighed in on Mourdock's comments regarding rape and abortion.
"I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night's Senate debate. I urge him to apologize."
Pence's statement prompted one from his opponent in the race for governor. Daniel Altman, spokesman for Democrat John Gregg, said, "Congressman Pence is not being straight with Hoosiers. He has called on Richard Mourdock to apologize, yet won't say exactly what in Mourdock's comments he disagrees with. He says he has always supported a rape exception, yet that is clearly false. Congressman Pence has spent his career crusading on this social issue, yet now he is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the people of Indiana."
