Craziest Republican of the Day: Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Tom Smith

By Richard K. Barry

According to Think Progress, Tom Smith, the Republican challenging for Sen. Bob Casey's (D-PA) seat, "suggested that having a child out of wedlock was analogous to rape during an interview with a reporter at a press club this afternoon, claiming that it would have a 'similar' effect on a father":

MARK SCOLFORO, ASSOCIATED PRESS: How would you tell a daughter or a granddaughter who, God forbid, would be the victim of a rape, to keep the child against her own will? Do you have a way to explain that?

SMITH: I lived something similar to that with my own family. She chose life, and I commend her for that. She knew my views. But, fortunately for me, I didn't have to... she chose they way I thought. No don't get me wrong, it wasn't rape.

SCOLFORO: Similar how

SMITH: Uh, having a baby out of wedlock.

SCOLFORO: That's similar to rape?

SMITH: No, no, no, but... put yourself in a father's situation, yes. It is similar. But, back to the original, I'm pro-life, period.

In fairness, Smith knew he stepped in it as soon as he spoke, but he said what he said, which is disturbing.

I think Daily Kos had this one about right:

The hell? So if you're a father, having your daughter have sex out of wedlock or having her raped is pretty much the same thing?

And that's what you base your reactionary anti-abortion stance on? To hell with violence or consent or anything else, it's just some sort of father-daughter property rights thing?

There are Todd Akins everywhere in the GOP. Crazy, crazy, crazy.

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)

Here we go again -- more right-wing Republican obsession with sex, rape, and abortion

By Mustang Bobby

The Republicans got wailed within an inch of their lives last week over Missouri senate candidate Todd Akin's comment about "legitimate rape." So you would think that the last thing they'd want is another genius explaining what constitutes rape.

Wrong:

Pennsylvania Senate candidate Tom Smith is the latest Republican to bungle a response to Missouri Rep. Todd Akin's controversial comment about rape and pregnancy.

"What that congressman said I do not agree with at all. He should have never said anything like that," Smith told reporters Monday, according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News, during a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon in Harrisburg Monday — referring to Akin's suggestion that women’s bodies can block a pregnancy from rape.

"I lived something similar to that with my own family," Smith said. He then described his daughter's out-of-wedlock pregnancy — from consensual sex.

"She chose life, and I commend her for that. She knew my views but fortunately for me... she chose the way I thought. Now don't get me wrong. It wasn't rape."

Smith affirmed that he believed his daughter's pregnancy from consensual sex was similar to a rape. "Put yourself in a father's position, yes, I mean it is similar."

So, rape is just like consensual sex, huh?

And Mr. Smith is not alone. Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan sees rape as just another method of conception.

I realize I've asked this question before, but it bears repeating: What the hell is wrong with these people? And why the hell do they keep bringing up things like this?

On the other hand, if this is the way they see their way to victory by alienating women and anyone with half a brain regarding rape and abortion, far be it from me to stop them. 

(Cross-posted at Bark Bark Woof Woof.)