Politics
Not-so-perfect storm may await the GOP convention
Divisions within party and Akin controversy grab spotlight
TAMPA, Fla. - This is the convention prelude of the Republicans' dreams -- their nightmares, that is.
Mitt Romney wanted to preside over a made-for-TV gathering showcasing his economic credentials and GOP unity. Instead, he's heading to Tampa with the national debate focused on rape and abortion and with the divisions within his party -- and with running mate Paul Ryan -- on full display.
"It's a huge distraction," Saul Anuzis, a Republican National Committee member from Michigan and a top Romney backer, said of the emotional quarreling touched off by embattled Missouri Rep. Todd Akin.
Even the weather is threatening to spoil Romney's party. As Wednesday's rain pounded the arena and hotel complex where the convention is scheduled for next week, Anuzis lamented the tropical storm churning toward Florida, saying that "it could cause havoc; it could be a chaotic situation from a transportation and security standpoint."
Romney and Ryan found themselves overshadowed by the uproar over Akin's refusal to drop out of his Senate race after causing a stir by saying that women's bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."
He has apologized, but he also has bucked calls from top Republicans -- including Romney and Ryan -- to abandon his bid.
"It's bad timing. Akin happening now sort of amplifies the whole thing," said Charlie Black, a veteran GOP presidential campaign strategist.
Underscoring the split, the Republican National Committee is including support in its draft platform for an outright ban on abortion in all cases.
"I'm proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress. It's something I'm proud of. But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration," Ryan told Pittsburgh television station KDKA.
Ryan was asked about a bill he co-sponsored in the House to ban federal funding for abortion except in cases of incest and "forcible" rape. That language, which was eventually changed, would excluded victims of statuatory rape. Akin and more than 200 Republicans co-sponsored the bill.
"Rape is rape," Ryan answered.
Mitt Romney wanted to preside over a made-for-TV gathering showcasing his economic credentials and GOP unity. Instead, he's heading to Tampa with the national debate focused on rape and abortion and with the divisions within his party -- and with running mate Paul Ryan -- on full display.
"It's a huge distraction," Saul Anuzis, a Republican National Committee member from Michigan and a top Romney backer, said of the emotional quarreling touched off by embattled Missouri Rep. Todd Akin.
Even the weather is threatening to spoil Romney's party. As Wednesday's rain pounded the arena and hotel complex where the convention is scheduled for next week, Anuzis lamented the tropical storm churning toward Florida, saying that "it could cause havoc; it could be a chaotic situation from a transportation and security standpoint."
Romney and Ryan found themselves overshadowed by the uproar over Akin's refusal to drop out of his Senate race after causing a stir by saying that women's bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."
He has apologized, but he also has bucked calls from top Republicans -- including Romney and Ryan -- to abandon his bid.
"It's bad timing. Akin happening now sort of amplifies the whole thing," said Charlie Black, a veteran GOP presidential campaign strategist.
Party divide
Akin's comments have caused a furor in the Republican Party just as it's trying to narrow the advantage Obama and the Democrats have among female voters. The debate has highlighted fissures within the GOP over when abortion should ever be legal. Romney does not oppose abortion in cases of rape and incest or if it will save a mother's life, while Ryan does oppose abortion in cases of rape and incest.Underscoring the split, the Republican National Committee is including support in its draft platform for an outright ban on abortion in all cases.
'Forcible rape'
Ryan himself stoked the debate Wednesday when he was forced to emphasize anew that Romney is the nominee, brushing aside differences in their records."I'm proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress. It's something I'm proud of. But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration," Ryan told Pittsburgh television station KDKA.
Ryan was asked about a bill he co-sponsored in the House to ban federal funding for abortion except in cases of incest and "forcible" rape. That language, which was eventually changed, would excluded victims of statuatory rape. Akin and more than 200 Republicans co-sponsored the bill.
"Rape is rape," Ryan answered.
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Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/20120822gop-convention-not-perfect-storm-may-await.html#ixzz24LxSbHM0
My old adage "Truth is stranger than Fiction" applies directly to what is happening to the GOP this week. If you or I had written this no one would have believed the last few days or what is now coming for the GOP to face. Unbelievable! Who would have believed it?
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