McCaskill campaign ends with reminder to voters about Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" quote

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

On August 19, Todd Akin’s extreme fringe beliefs made him an outcast from his own Republican Party when he attempted to justify his support for criminalizing emergency contraception - even for survivors of rape - by telling viewers that in cases of “legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” Akin’s shocking statement opened a window into his radical views on a wide array of issues, and proved just how painful Akin’s extreme views would be for Missouri families. 

Akin on Rape-Related Pregnancies: “If It’s a Legitimate Rape the Female Body Has Ways to Try to Shut That Whole Thing Down.” During an interview with KTVI’s Charles Jaco in August 2012, Akin claimed that “legitimate rape” rarely causes pregnancy because women have a way to “shut that whole thing down.”  Asked by Jaco if abortion should be legal in cases of rape, Akin replied, “It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” [KTVI,8/19/12]

“Todd Akin’s words were offensive, but it’s his extreme views on issues big and small that would harm Missouri families,” said Caitlin Legacki, McCaskill for Missouri spokeswoman.“When he’s not trying to dismantle Social Security and Medicare or eliminate federal school loans, Todd Akin’s quest to criminalize emergency contraception, even in the case of rape, is a prime example of just how far out on the fringe he really is. Missouri is a state that appreciates commonsense, mainstream moderates like Claire - not embarrassing extremists like Todd Akin. The choice facing voters in tomorrow’s election is a stark one - Claire, a Senator on our side, or Todd Akin, an extremist whose radical beliefs would fundamentally harm Missouri’s families.”