Huckabee slams GOP, backs Akin, claims he made a "mistake" (for supporting the Republican platform?)

[ProSense]

Huckabee Backs Akin, Lashes Out At GOP

Mike Huckabee, who endorsed Rep. Todd Akin in the Republican Senate primary in Missouri, reaffirmed his support in an email sent out to his supporters Thursday, Politico reports.

"The Party’s leaders have for reasons that aren't rational, left (Akin) behind on the political battlefield, wounded and bleeding, a casualty of his self-inflicted, but not intentional wound," Huckabee wrote. "In a Party that supposedly stands for life, it was tragic to see the carefully orchestrated and systematic attack on a fellow Republican."

Huckabee writes that GOP operatives secretly plotted to get Akin off the ballot:

From the spotlights of political offices and media perches, it may appear that the demand for Akin’s head is universal in the party. I assure you it is not. There is a vast, but mostly quiet army of people who have an innate sense of fairness and don't like to see a fellow political pilgrim bullied. If Todd Akin loses the Senate seat, I will not blame Todd Akin. He made his mistake, but was man enough to admit it and apologize. I'm waiting for the apology from whoever the genius was on the high pedestals of our party who thought it wise to not only shoot our wounded, but run over him with tanks and trucks and then feed his body to the liberal wolves.

Finally, Huckabee urges grassroots support:

Now is the time to focus on electing a conservative Senate Majority. And if the NRSC and RNC and the money-rich PACS won't help Todd Akin get us to the majority, then we'll do it without them.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/huckabee-backs-akin-lashes-out-at-gop

DNC ad: The Romney-Ryan-Akin Platform for Women
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021185356

GOP Approves ‘Most Conservative Platform In Modern History’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021178791

[Scuba]

1. I loves me some Republican meltdown.

[nc4bo]

7. Eeew and it's going to be a nasty one. nt

[Atman]

2. When did he apologize?

I only heard him say he made "a poor choice of words." His meaning didn't change...he just chose the wrong words.

[ProSense]

6. Even if in Huckabee's mind he did, is Akin apologizing for his party's adopted position? n/t

[Atman]

9. I had that "debate" on FB today...

Not much of a debate, actually. When you see the guy's profile pic, it's clear he is a big corporate CEO-type. Anyway...

---

In referring the OP's comment about Akin's remarks: "To generalize this idiot's comments to all Republicans is really a stretch."

I replied: "That is probably why they're trying to run like hell from him. Besides, it not about "all Republicans." The important thing is, the GOP Presidential Candidate AND the GOP Vice Presidential Candidate both signed on to this guy's opinion. Further, as has been stated but is worth repeating -- Paul Ryan co-sponsored Akin's bill. And has back similar anti-woman legislation many times during his term in office. And the GOP wants them to run the country. I think it isn't "generalization" at all. All's fair.

Response: "I'm referring to his recent comments, not the general conservative positions, most of which I share. You're conflating the two, and I'm saying that's a stretch. I'll add that it's why we've lost all reasonable discourse; we can't even agree that we all find those comments abhorrent. You insist on painting us with that same brush, rather than dealing with actual positions."

I replied: "But (OP), these are his actual positions. And those of Paul Ryan, who co-sponsored his bill, and many anti-woman bills over the years. The fact that he accidentally spoke the truth doesn't make it any less the truth. He just made the mistake of saying it out loud while they were trying to sneak this one through the house.

Even if you use the word "forcible," how on earth do you work with that? If you are the man being accused, it would appear the victim would have to move very quickly in order to get an abortion during the first trimester. So, is the man immediately guilty, without a trial? Who determines "force?" The doctor? No doctor in his right mind would accept the liability without a trial, which would take far longer than the gestation period of the child.

It isn't even about the term "legitimate." It is about the policy in general. Akin and Ryan and the other co-sponsors were hoping to sneak this through quietly, but Akin opened his yapper and told the truth. It is a GOP position, which our Vice President defends. I'm not overly concerned about what Romney thinks...his position on any given subject changes depending upon with whom he is talking.

That was the end of the conversation.

.

[Indydem]

3. As someone who has had too many discussions with repukes lately.

Let me break this down for you:

The "error" is Legitimate vs. Forcible.

That's what they feel the error is. He was supposed to use the word forcible and used the word legitimate.

Repukes, as a whole, do not support the idea of date rape or husbands raping wives or girls who are drunk or drugged and have sex are rape victims.

They believe that the only "real" rape is when a man forces himself with violence upon a woman.

Therefore, Akin's mistake, in their eyes, is that he used the wrong word, not that he's a disgusting human being.

[Johonny]

10. but his whole science fantasy of how women's bodies work that was ok?

Shouldn't US senators have a clue about basic biology before they pass laws about it? I know the people you talk to are probably knee deep in the radical anti-abortion mythos that facts like that don't matter.

[Indydem]

11. Here is the problem.

Let me preface this by saying that Akin and his neanderthal bretheren are bad for America, and bad in general.

BUT, Akin didn't just make that shit up. A licensed medical doctor, well respected in his chosen field, and a pro-life icon told him that it was true.

The problem is that Akin WANTED to believe it. It made his case easier to digest personally and professionally. An authority on the matter assured him that it was true, and he was happy to believe and repeat it.

Progressives do the same thing all the time; hell Americans as a whole do it. Something is repeated to them enough from their chosen sources, and they believe it, no matter how fucking crazy it sounds to anyone outside of their bubble.

[fleur-de-lisa]

4. They "don't like to see a fellow political pilgrim bullied" . . .

Stop bullying the bully, damnit!!!

[Heather MC]

5. But ut was's a mistake he has even said he got that crap from Dr what's his name

How can something you believe in your heart be a mistake. this is an idea that this man has believed for years
and written legislation based on that belief
because let's face, as R. Maddow said it easy to deny women the choice to keep or abort a rape baby if you honestly believe women can't get pregnant from rape

[Downwinder]

8. Has Akin explained what he meant to say?

I have heard several suppositions, but have yet to hear anything authoritative.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

12. The mistake was stating his true beliefs in a public forum

I'm sure none of the Republicans calling for Akin to quit would have had a problem with him if he'd said what he said in a private conference. The mistake was in letting the general public know how crazy and evil Republicans really have become so that maybe they won't vote for them.

[Zoeisright]

13. Fuck you to hell, Fuckabee.

That piece of excrement is a waste of oxygen.