Why Did Conservatives Lead the Attack on Todd Aiken?

Todd Aiken, recently nominated to face Missouri Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in November, gained national notoriety when he said that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant.

It was certainly an odd thing to say.  But did it deserve the condemnation showered upon him by prominent conservatives and outlets such as Ann Coulter, Shawn Hannity and National Review Magazine?

Here’s the language that caused the furor:

          “First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare.  If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body had ways to shut that down.

          But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something.  I think there should be some punishment but the punishment should be on the rapist but not attacking the child.”

With Senate control at stake, one expects liberals to pounce on Republicans for being, they assert, insensitive to the trauma of rape and hostile to women.  So President Obama’s criticism of the Senatorial nominee on those grounds at a White House press conference was hardly a surprise.

But why are those on Todd Aiken’s side of the political divide joining in the political assault?

One may disagree with a “no-exception to abortion opposition even in the case of rape or incest” policy.  But it is a sincere pro-life position held by about 20% of the population.

Todd Aiken, a six term member of Congress, is no neophyte.  Referring to “legitimate rape” suggests there’s another kind deserving of less sympathy or compassion for the victim.  He should have known better.  His remarks were awkward to say the least.

But he’s also a respected member of the House majority who co-sponsored with Representative Paul Ryan the pro-life “Sanctity of Human Life” bill, and he has apologized for his remarks.

I don’t recall Democrats calling for the Vice President’s head for his “y’all” remarks.

Apparently panic has set in on the right.  There is great fear now that Aiken will cost the GOP its chance for a majority in the Senate.

Karl Rove, former Bush political advisor and head of a major conservative PAC, has announced that it will no longer support Aiken, a pledge apparently designed to cause Aiken to drop out so that a replacement candidate could face Senator McCaskill.  To date, that threat has not succeeded since Aiken has refused to step down

However, a poll taken in Missouri a few days after the avalanche of criticism indicates that the worry may be over-wrought.  His margin over incumbent Senator McCaskill had slipped but he was still ahead.  That suggests that his prospects will improve once the intensely negative publicity fades. 

It is unbecoming, indeed, for conservatives to be so willing to cast a comrade aside just because he has now made himself an easier target for his foe.  Loyalty should matter, particularly to those on the right.  Yet it seems that liberals are displaying that character trait more readily than our side.

Another point for conservatives to consider.  Aiken received the support of 36% of the Republican primary voters.  Is it not possible that, if he is forced to abandon the contest, they will feel robbed of their choice and might not  support his successor in retribution?

Final note.  The threat by Rove and others such as the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee and the RNC to cut off funding is a bluff.  Since Aiken has refused to bow out, he remains the GOP candidate.  Conservatives will support him financially anyway because a new Republican Senator from Missouri is probably essential if a GOP takeover of the Senate is to occur.