Republicans are STILL talking about rape. Why?

[TaraJo]

*sigh* This time it's Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post...bout-rape/

Didn't they learn their lesson from the last election cycle? Even Ann Coultier was telling them to stop talking about rape, but does he listen? Nope.

[Minimalist]

I think this says it all.....

[CapnAwesome]

*sigh* This time it's Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post...bout-rape/

Didn't they learn their lesson from the last election cycle? Even Ann Coultier was telling them to stop talking about rape, but does he listen? Nope.

I don't see anything particularly horrible about what that guy is saying. It just sounds like an OBGYN talking about adrenaline and how it relates to ovulation. Nothing shocking or even stupid, like Akin.

[TaraJo]

*sigh* This time it's Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post...bout-rape/

Didn't they learn their lesson from the last election cycle? Even Ann Coultier was telling them to stop talking about rape, but does he listen? Nope.

I don't see anything particularly horrible about what that guy is saying. It just sounds like an OBGYN talking about adrenaline and how it relates to ovulation. Nothing shocking or even stupid, like Akin.

From a scientific perspective, he's kinda right. But from a PR perspective, and politics is all about PR, it's suicide.

[CapnAwesome]

From a scientific perspective, he's kinda right. But from a PR perspective, and politics is all about PR, it's suicide.

Well I don't really see the problem then. Or rather I think the problem is with people who overreact to this sort of shit, rather than with him.

[A Theist]

I don't see anything particularly horrible about what that guy is saying. It just sounds like an OBGYN talking about adrenaline and how it relates to ovulation. Nothing shocking or even stupid, like Akin.

From a scientific perspective, he's kinda right. But from a PR perspective, and politics is all about PR, it's suicide.

If you know it's 'kinda right', and it's all about politics and PR, then why are you making an issue of it?....is it the fact that he's a conservative Republican that you want to spin something else and misrepresent his position?

[DeistPaladin]

From a scientific perspective, he's kinda right. But from a PR perspective, and politics is all about PR, it's suicide.

If you know it's 'kinda right', and it's all about politics and PR, then why are you making an issue of it?....is it the fact that he's a conservative Republican that you want to spin something else and misrepresent his position?

Because when it comes to Republican politics:

1. There are things you believe that should only be said among close supporters and "the base" at times you are not being recorded
2. and there are the things you say out in the open, when on the record.

And if you are a Republican politician who wants to win elections, you make sure that the things under category 1 doesn't get done in category 2. Just ask Mitt 47% Romney about that.

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*sigh* This time it's Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post...bout-rape/

Didn't they learn their lesson from the last election cycle? Even Ann Coultier was telling them to stop talking about rape, but does he listen? Nope.

Unfortunately for them, they've painted themselves into a corner. They've gerrymandered their districts so they could keep the House in the last election but now they're beholden to the radical right fringe of their own base. If they dare stray to the center, they'll get primaried and booted out.

[CapnAwesome]

Because when it comes to Republican politics:

1. There are things you believe that should only be said among close supporters and "the base" at times you are not being recorded
2. and there are the things you say out in the open, when on the record.

I think you can make the argument that what he said was not smart politically, but I can't see any moral, scientific or intellectual problem with these comments. If people make a big deal about a doctor talking about ovulation related to adrenaline, it is their problem. Rather it should be there problem.

---

Unfortunately for them, they've painted themselves into a corner. They've gerrymandered their districts so they could keep the House in the last election but now they're beholden to the radical right fringe of their own base. If they dare stray to the center, they'll get primaried and booted out.

Although sometimes I am truly in wonder about what people think are radical or fringe positions, the Republicans have abandoned the big tent. With the tea party movement, many of the moderates got the boot. There are only two pro-choice republican senators now. Ten years ago there were 7 or so. A purge of your moderates is going to lose you elections every time.

I don't think this has anything to do with why this guy made these comments or why Akin did. They were replying to questions, this guy seemed to handle is well and obviously Akin did not. I'm kind of surprised that Atheists don't jump to the defense of Phil Gingrey rather than be critical. I don't think any politician should face backlash for making scientifically accurate statements.

[Brian37]

Let them talk about it, that is the anchor around the republican party's neck it needs.

That way the rest of sane society can live in reality and move on with without such insanity.

[TaraJo]

Because when it comes to Republican politics:

1. There are things you believe that should only be said among close supporters and "the base" at times you are not being recorded
2. and there are the things you say out in the open, when on the record.

I think you can make the argument that what he said was not smart politically, but I can't see any moral, scientific or intellectual problem with these comments. If people make a big deal about a doctor talking about ovulation related to adrenaline, it is their problem. Rather it should be there problem.

Well, the intellectual problem with it is that it's political suicide. That being said, at least this guy was smart enough to wait until after the election to say this. Voters tend to have pretty short memories and as long as he doesn't say something that stupid for about 6 months before the election, it won't be too consequential.

And, yes, geremandering has been the problem here. They gave themselves extreme candidates by making sure they can't lose general elections. The end result seems to be that they're pulling the party base to a crazy place. If I were a Republican looking forward to 2016, I'd be really worried about this. Romney didn't say a thing about rape, but other representatives of his political party did and it hurt him.