Richard Mourdock Apologizes, Says That His Words Were Twisted

Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock apologized today for the comment he made about rape earlier this week during a debate against Democrat Joe Donnelly.

Mourdock was talking about abortion in relation to rape and incest when he said:

“I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”

USA Today reports that the comment caused an immediate outrage. Democrats criticized Mourdock and likened him to Todd Akin, a spokesperson for President Obama said that the comment was “outrageous” and demeaning to women,” and Mitt Romney, who had filmed a pro-Mourdock ad, tried to distance himself from the candidate.

Today, Mourdock said that his comment was “twisted” and that he didn’t mean that God intended for women to get raped.

Mourdock said:

“I said life is precious. I believe life is precious. I believe rape is a brutal act. It is something that I abhor. That anyone could come away with any meaning other than what I just said is regrettable, and for that I apologize. If they came away with any impression other than that I truly regret it, I apologize. I’ve certainly been humbled by the fact that so many people think that somehow was an interpretation.”

Others have come to Mourdock’s defense saying that it was “either willfully ignorant or malicious” to report that Mourdock believed that God intended women to get raped.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, a conservative group that opposes abortion rights, said:

“Richard Mourdock said that life is always a gift from God, and we couldn’t agree more. To report his statement as an endorsement of rape is either willfully ignorant or malicious.”

What did you think of Richard Mourdock’s comments?