The Problem Is the Base
by Mike Lux
08/22/2012
The fundamental problem for the Republican party isn't Todd Akin's crazy rape statement on Sunday, or the fact that he refused to drop out of the Senate race, or even that other Republican extremists like Steve King are keeping the story alive by supporting and encouraging him (more on that below). The fundamental problem is the Republican party base, in which Akin, King and, yes, Paul Ryan sit snugly and comfortably in the middle.
So, yes, the last few days have been rough for Todd Akin and the Republican Party. First came the local news interview, that little "legitimate rape" thingy. Then came the rightfully angry responses from women and the faux outrage from fellow Republicans (who mostly had agreed with Akin on his abortion policy and his attempts to narrow the definition of rape), then the "sorry but not sorry" apology from Akin, then came Romney and Ryan assuring voters that their administration would not deny abortions to victims of rape and incest -- even though their platform and Ryan's voting record contradict that statement.
Right about now, the Republican Party is trying to paint Todd Akin as an extreme outlier, an embarrassing anomaly with views far from anything that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan would believe. But they can't put this story to bed so easily. Ryan's voting record, and the record of the House Republicans on these issues, won't let them...
For the full article, go to:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/the-problem-is-the-base_b_1821865.html
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