“Legitimate Rape” Spurs Heated Debate

This week's edition of "Wingin’ It Wednesday” saw one of our most intense debates yet. Panelists Carol Ross, Raymond "La La" Lalonde, and Mike Stagg joined "Mornings With Ken and Bernie” to discuss some rather taboo and controversial issues.

Here’s what the panel had to say:

1. Republican Congressmen Charles Boustany and Jeff Landry have some Democratic opposition. Do you think the Democrats will affect the race?

Mike Stagg led off:

A Democrat is going to affect race. Ron Richard will make the runoff, I guarantee it right now. In his district there is a solid Democratic base of at least 30%. If he can solidify his base, 30% will put him in the runoff.

Raymond "La La" Lalonde added:

Certainly any entry into that race changes the dynamics. The outcome will depend on the turnout. Whatever happens it's going to have a tremendous effect because the 2^nd primary will be a low turnout, so a fringe person could have an advantage.

Carol Ross countered:

Any incumbent in this atmosphere will need to work twice as hard to convince voters that they deserve reelection. I think anyone who makes a perdiction on this race at this point in time...is maybe smoking those funny cigarettes.

2. Rep. Todd Akin, the newly-christened GOP Senate nominee in Missouri, said in an interview airing Sunday that "legitimate rape" rarely causes pregnancy therefore abortion in the case of rape should not be allowed. Some are calling for his resignation. Do you think he should resign?

Carol Ross began:

It's an utterly boneheaded stupid remark that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. It's completely stupid and indefensible, but let's put it into perspective, while Todd Akin said some really stupid things, he's not voted for every destructive proposal of the current man in the white house, including Obamacare, as his opponent did. The only person his remarks harmed was himself.

Mike Stagg countered:

Mr. Akins problem is that his views are mainstream Republican views. The platform of the Republican national committee is they support a ban on all abortions, no exceptions, no rape exceptions, no incest exceptions. They believe every sperm is indeed sacred, and that is the lunacy that is driving Akin and others.

La La commented:

I disagree with Mike, I consider myself mainstream Republican, but I believe there should be exceptions. My family was a victim of aggravated rape and we made sure there was no pregnancy that came of it.

Now it’s your turn to tell us what you think about today’s Wingin’ It Wednesday topics. Who got it right, who got it wrong, and who was way off? Let us know in the comment section.