When is it a crime to speak your mind? Rep. Todd Akin was at least honest, if not baffling.
Since when is it a crime to speak your mind? Apparently for Rep. Todd Akin who made the infamous comment that “legitimate rape” rarely results in pregnancy, Republican Party leadership believes he is guilty of unfiltered freedom of speech. His punishment, as deemed by the would be protectors of our Constitution right to free speech, is his voluntary, albeit pressured, removable of his name from the Missouri Senate race.
From Missouri to Misery
For Todd Akin, he must feel as if he is in the state of Misery and not Missouri. His comments about rape reveal his complete lack of understanding and ignorance around the issue of violence toward women. It also displays the vacuum of political acumen he has when it comes to speaking in public. When politicians are routinely accused of political double-speak, avoiding the answer and parsing the question, Akin freely spilled his shallow beliefs in the interview.
Circle the wagons
In a rush, not to judgement on his belief system, but to limit collateral damage to other Republican campaigns, the party leaders are calling for voluntary exile and ex-communication from Akin. The man has committed no crime other than being honest. The lack of honesty about a candidate’s views is an issue that voters have consistently complained about. For better or worse, we know how Rep. Akin feels about rape. Are certain party officials afraid that voters might correctly ascertain that other Republicans hold the same beliefs as Akin?
Political king makers
All political party leaders care more about their organizations than they do about their individual candidates. Republican Andy Pugno, candidate for Assembly in California, was asked by his party leadership to remove his name from the ballot. His crime: running against fellow Republican Beth Gaines in the general election. Republican Assembly leader Connie Conway asked Pugno to step aside because it was feared that his fundraising would siphon money away from Republicans running against Democrats.
Both Republican and Democrat party leaders need to take a course in honesty from Akin. They should drop their feigned indignation when their candidate commits a verbal gaffe that reflects poorly on the party itself. Instead of trying to drum the candidate out of the race they should sit back and let the voters decide.
Akin is from the “Show-Me” state
From the Missouri Secretary of State website on the origin of “Show-Me”
The most widely known legend attributes the phrase to Missouri’s U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1897 to 1903. While a member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs, Vandiver attended an 1899 naval banquet in Philadelphia. In a speech there, he declared, “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”
Show and tell
It could be that Akin’s comments about rape were a subconscious cry to be shown the devastating effects of any type of unwanted sexual intercourse on a woman or man. Political party leaders need to “Show-Me” that their meddling in state or local races truly serves the interest of the voters and not the protection of their little fiefdoms.
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