PA GOP Candidate Tom Smith equates rape to getting pregnant out of wedlock
What is it about Republican Senate candidates and rape? First, Missouri Rep. Todd Akin said that "legitimate rape" doesn't lead to pregnancy because a woman's body would "shut down."
Now Pennsylvania's GOP U.S. Senate candidate Tom Smith said that rape is similar to "having a baby out of wedlock."
Smith made these comments on Monday to Mark Scolforo, an Associated Press reporter. Here's what he said:
SCOLFORO: 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.
Don't take my word for it. You can hear it for yourself here.
I'm the father of a wonderful daughter. I can tell you that there is no relationship whatsoever between the way I would feel if she had gotten pregnant before she was married and if she had been raped. That's because, like most people, I understand the difference between sex and rape.
I've had enough of these medieval Republican views of sexuality, women, and rape. That's why I'm writing to Tom Smith to tell him what I think of his sexist views that diminish the devastating impact of rape.
I'm also going to demand that he withdraw from the race for Senate, because I don't want someone with these views representing my Pennsylvania.
Enough is enough. It's time for decent men and women to stand up write to Tom Smith and tell him what you think.
Michael Morrill, Executive Director
Keystone Progress
