Around 1:30 this afternoon the two headlines below appeared on The New York Times. You would think that the Republicans might give the abortion debate a rest for a few days after rightly criticizing Akin’s perverse comments this past weekend. But no, they have marched right along. We must ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. I believe that I have a good grasp of the arguments in the abortion debate. I am pro choice but I do not dismiss the moral claims of those who are anti-abortion. It’s a serious moral and religious issue. But what we are getting from the GOP transcends the debate. It’s another sign of the GOP’s ideological come hell or high water thinking.
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Akin Signals in Ad He’ll Stay in Senate Race, Defying G.O.P.
By JONATHAN WEISMAN and JOHN W. ELIGON 21 minutes ago
In a new ad, Representative Todd Akin asked voters in Missouri to forgive him for making comments on abortion that have fellow Republicans calling on him to drop out of the race.
G.O.P. Approves Strict Anti-Abortion Plank in Platform
By MICHAEL COOPER18 minutes ago
A Republican committee called for a Constitutional amendment outlawing abortion with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
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Ryan has been opposed to abortion, including in cases of rape and incest, except to save the life of the mother. This weekend in reaction to Akin, Romney declared his ticket’s position, abortion should be banned, but exceptions should be made for rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. This is not Ryan’s position and it isn’t the GOP’s position. Keep your eye on how Ryan handles the issue. For example, will Ryan now say that he has changed his mind or avoid the issue by saying that he is not at the top of the ticket? His ultra conservative followers are watching.
UP@NIGHT 