Indiana Republican Says Pregnancy From Rape "Something God Intended"

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 24, 2012 2:40PM

Official Photo

Tea Party/Republican senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock said during a debate Tuesday that he is pro-life even in situations of rape because "it is something God intended to happen."

Mourdock is the Indiana state treasurer. He defeated Indiana's longtime moderate Republican Sen. Richard Lugar in the primaries. Mitt Romney's campaign was left scrambling to distance the candidate from Mourdock, after he just released statewide ads endorsing Mourdock on Monday. Now Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said, “Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock’s comments, and they do not reflect his views.”

Here is Mourdock's full statement from Tuesday's debate (see video below):

The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that case of the life of the mother. I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something God intended to happen.

Before pro-choice advocates jump behind Mourdock's opponent, know that the Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-South Bend) is also pro-life. He condemned Mourdock's statement after the debate.

I think rape is a heinous and violent crime in every instance. The God I believe in and the God I know most Hoosiers believe in, does not intend for rape to happen—ever. What Mr. Mourdock said is shocking, and it is stunning that he would be so disrespectful to survivors of rape.

Mourdock tried to clarify his views on Wednesday with a statement on his website:

God creates life, and that was my point. God does not want rape, and by no means was I suggesting that he does. Rape is a horrible thing, and for anyone to twist my words otherwise is absurd and sick.

While Romney backs away, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is standing by Mourdock's comments. The chairman told Politico:

“Richard and I, along with millions of Americans — including even Joe Donnelly — believe that life is a gift from God,” Texas Sen. John Cornyn said in a statement Wednesday. “To try and construe his words as anything other than a restatement of that belief is irresponsible and ridiculous. In fact, rather than condemning him for his position, as some in his party have when it’s come to Republicans, I commend Congressman Donnelly for his support of life.”

Here is video of Mourdock's statement at the debate Tuesday.