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August 22nd, 2012
11:00 PM ET
How Akin controversy may impact Paul Ryan
The GOP ticket follows Romney's moderate position on abortion, but will Ryan's personal views on the issue impact votes?
Anderson talks to Democratic Strategist Cornell Belcher and Republican Strategist Mary Matalin.
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Post by: Anderson Cooper Filed under: 2012 Election • Cornell Belcher • Keeping Them Honest • Mary Matalin • Mitt Romney • Paul Ryan • Rep. Akin • Republicans • Women's Issues • Women's Rights |
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Why has no one brought up, now or in 2002 when he made the statements, that Akin is a Holocaust doubter, if not denier:
In 2002, during his first reelection campaign he did an interview with his local paper in Missouri around the time of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) where the World War II Allies formally accepted the surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany, ending the war in Europe. During the interview he was asked about how he felt in regards to celebrating the triumph over Adolf Hitler and all the wrong doings he had done, including the Jewish concentration camps. Rep. Akin replied,
“I think it is wonderful that we were victorious in overcoming the German occupation in Europe that killed thousands. However, I’m not certain that there were Jewish concentration camps. If it had been a legitimate genocide, God would have smited the Germans, and there would’ve have been no reason for us to become involved in the conflict. World War II was simply a power grab by Adolf Hitler, and we went in to make sure he didn’t take over the world… and we succeeded.”
Not only is he an ignoramus about science, but about history as well.
In this clip, Mary Matalin says, "Women who care about birth control, and I don't count myself there, it's 9 dollars a month and you can get it anywhere." I have no idea what she is referring to because $9 is not enough for responsible family planning. To responsibly plan, birth control pills are necessary and they certainly cost more than $9 and are definitely not available everywhere. My monthly copays through our insurance for birth control has ranged from $10 (briefly) and up to $40. It has averaged at $25 a month. When I was stay at home mother of two, and my husband was only making $30k a year, that $25 was such a stretch for our budget each month. Mary Matalin, your blithe and dismissive comment that this is not an issue to woman is way off the mark. Without the ability to control the size of the family that she can afford, women have a more difficult time accomplishing their goals and are more likely to be unable to reach financial stability. That a woman dismissed me and my concerns about reproductive issues for myself and my daughters, is hard to come to terms with. Voting Democrat in the November elections will help ease my hurt, I'm sure, along with my donation to Planned Parenthood.
All these social issues are beside the point. The point is the behavior of the candidates. Who's to say they will not exhibit the same behaviors (deception, evasion, lying, flip-flopping, irrationality, etc.) when addressing issues that they say really matter, such as job creation?