Draft language for the official 2012 Republican Party platform reportedly includes support for a constitutional ban on abortion without exclusions. In other words, abortions would not be permitted even in cases of rape or incest. The news comes amid the ongoing Todd Akin legitimate rape controversy and calls for the GOP Senate candidate to drop out of the race. Akin, who opposes all abortions, remarked that rape victims rarely get pregnant because the female body finds ways to “shut that whole thing down.” The GOP Congressman running against Sen. Claire McCaskill has faced calls to abandon his campaign from both parties after making the comment. Despite the firestorm Akin ignited, leaked details on the Republican party’s position reveal that nationally, Republicans generally agree with him: “Faithful to the ‘self-evident’ truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed,” the GOP platform states. “We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.” Kirk Cameron would definitely approve … but what about the GOP standard-bearer? Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign moved swiftly to distance itself from Akin’s remarks. His spokesman Andrea Saul said: “Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape.” Yet the statement is a departure from Ryan’s, which has been that abortion should only be legal in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. Ryan sponsored a fetal personhood bill, which would effectively criminalize abortion and some forms of birth control without exceptions for rape victims. Romney personally told the National Review this week, “Congressman’s Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong.” “Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive.” Should Akin drop out? Election 2012 :
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Republican Party Platform to Call For Constitutional Ban on Abortion, No Exception For Rape