Dumb And Dumber: Rep. Joe Walsh Defends Rep. Todd Akin

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 22, 2012 8:20PM

Eighth District Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Illinois)

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) has never passed up an opportunity to say something stupid or racist or sexist, so of course he is defending Rep. Todd Akin's (R-MO) misinformed comments on rape. Top GOP brass pushed Akin to leave the Senate race, and Walsh said he's bothered by that.

“What he said was offensive, insulting and wrong, but I’m bothered by this rush to pile on," Walsh said Tuesday at a Young Republicans conference. "And I’m bothered by the silence of members of our own party to stand up for him.”

Tea Party favorite Walsh predicts Akin will at least stay neck-to-neck with Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO). "This is a tough business," Walsh said. "This man has had a long career. He said one thing that is insulting and offensive, and he’s apologized for it.”

Two other Illinois officials spoke about Akin at the same conference, too. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) said he hopes Akin looks "beyond himself" because the GOP is at a tipping point. "We do need the Senate, and we do need the White House," said Hultgren.

“There’s nobody who is saying Todd Akin is unworthy to serve," said Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL). "There is no one saying he is immoral or incapable. He’s not; he made a poor decision. The question is: Can he win in November? … This is an election about a generational change. If we squander this one opportunity we have, we will all look back and say: 'Oh, if only.'”