GOP Doubles Down on Extreme Social Agenda
Even as Republicans attempt to distance themselves from the comments about “legitimate rape” made by Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), they once again reaffirmed that they agree with Akin and other extremists when it comes to women’s health issues.
Just today, the committee drafting the Republican Party’s official policy platform underscored the fact that Republicans believe we need a constitutional ban on abortion in all circumstances — no exceptions for victims of rape or incest or to protect the life of the woman, not to mention any of the numerous other reasons a woman may need an abortion.
No abortion. No exceptions.
Not coincidentally, the GOP’s platform committee is chaired by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who received national condemnation for his support of a bill mandating that women seeking abortions receive costly transvaginal ultrasounds regardless of medical need.
Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund got it right today:
“The Republican Party platform approved today is Mitt Romney’s agenda every bit as much as it’s Todd Akin’s agenda. It shows a fundamental disregard for women and women’s health.”
And Republicans didn’t stop at women’s health when it comes to their radical plans to rewrite the Constitution. In addition to language that could only be considered an outright attack on LGBT people, the platform reaffirms that Republicans want to write discrimination into the Constitution in order to permanently ban same-sex marriage.
During today’s hearing on the platform, a Romney adviser who is best known for authoring the Arizona and Alabama anti-immigrant laws took the opportunity to compare homosexuality to both drug use and polygamy.
When it comes to social issues, the Republicans are running on an official agenda more suitable for 1950 than 2012.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
Akin: When I was talking about “legitimate rape,” what I really meant was that women make “false claims” about being raped.
New report: women can’t afford the cost of Romney-Ryan presidency.
An adviser to Paul Ryan called on Congress to authorize war with Iran.
Paul Ryan and Todd Akin worked together to try and ban birth control too.
Missouri Republican leader: getting pregnant after being raped is really just a rare blessing in disguise.
Todd Akin won’t drop his Senate bid, despite pleas from Republicans.
New frontiers of extremism.
Akin apologist Rep. Steve King (R-IA): I’ve never heard of getting pregnant from statutory rape or incest.
Not just gays and women: the GOP platform will go after Muslims too.