Richard Mourdock makes controversial rape comment; Romney distances himself (VIDEO)

GlobalPost

Indiana's US Senate GOP candidate Richard Mourdock stood by his comment in Tuesday's debate against Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) that he opposed pregnancies resulting from rape.

"I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen," Mourdock said.

At a press conference Wednesday, the Senate candidate did not offer an apology, opting to stand by his statements, the Associated Press reported

"I spoke from my heart," Mourdock said. "And speaking from my heart, speaking from the deepest level of my faith, I would not apologize. I would be less than faithful if I said anything other than life is precious, I believe it's a gift from god." 

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He also said that he was misunderstood during the debate.

"I think that God can see beauty in every life," he said, according to the AP. "Certainly, I did not intend to suggest that God wants rape, that God pushes people to rape, that God wants to support or condone evil in any way."

Mitt Romney's campaign disavowed Mourdock's statement on Wednesday, with adviser Bay Buchanan saying that Romney "disagrees entirely with what the Senate candidate said,” according to Politico. He added that the presidential candidate is "against abortion except in cases of rape or incest, and of course, the life of the mother."

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In a press statement DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “Richard Mourdock’s rape comments are outrageous and demeaning to women. Unfortunately, they’ve become part and parcel of the modern Republican Party’s platform toward women’s health, as Congressional Republicans like Paul Ryan have worked to outlaw all abortions and even narrow the definition of rape.”

All of Indiana's Senate candidates are pro-life, according to the Huffington Post. Donnelly said in Tuesday's debate, "I believe in pro-life. I believe that life begins at conception. The only exceptions I believe in are for rape, incest and the life a mother."

Mourdock's comment recalls Missouri Rep. Todd Akin, another anti-abortion GOP Senate hopeful, who said if rape was "legitimate," a women could not become pregnant. Akin continues to run in Missouri's Senate race.

After Mourdock's debate Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said, "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his views."

However, Romney's campaign said he still supports Mourdock and has not asked Mourdock to pull an ad on TV which features Romney, according to Politico.

After Akin made his "legitimate" rape comment, Romney called for the candidate to exit Missouri's Senate race. Democrats have called on Romney to pull the TV ad and withdraw support for Mourdock.

Here's a video of what Mourdock said.

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