Republican Rep. Joe Walsh, running against Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth in Illinois, told reporters Thursday night that there should be no abortion exception for the "life of the ******" because "with modern technology and science, you can't find one instance" in which a woman would actually die, according to a radio station. Walsh, of course, is flat wrong.
"There is no such exception as life of the ******, and as far as health of the ******, same thing," Walsh continued. The comments were first reported by the Illinois radio station WGN.
"There is no such exception as life of the ******, and as far as health of the ******, same thing, with advances in science and technology," Walsh said, according to the video above. CREDO superPAC, which is opposing Walsh, tipped HuffPost to the comments.
Walsh's remarks echo Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), who similarly relied on an ignorance of science and medicine to proclaim a belief that women's bodies are able to prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate ****."
"If it's a legitimate ****, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let's assume maybe that didn't work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the ******," Akin said, setting off a firestorm before the Republican National Convention, including calls for him to resign from the race. Akin now trails his Senate race against Democrat Claire McCaskill.
GOP establishment figures attempted to cast Akin as a lone extremist whose views are outside the mainstream of the party. But Walsh's fresh comments make that distinction more difficult to maintain.
Walsh and Akin, along with GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (Wis.) cosponsored legislation that would have redefined **** as "******** ****."
Walsh previously defended Akin during what he called a "pile on" in comments reported by HuffPost partner Elmhurst Patch.
“What he said was offensive, insulting and wrong, but I’m bothered by this rush to pile on," Walsh said. "And I’m bothered by the silence of members of our own party to stand up for him.”
Walsh wouldn't have to go far to find a counter-example that undermines his medical theory. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) has spoken movingly on the House floor about needing an emergency procedure to terminate a pregnancy that threatened her life.
