Joe Biden Offers Support To Akin For Gaffe Concerning Sexual Assault
By HARRIET REED
Published August 21, 2012
Rep. Todd Akin’s offhand comments on abortion and rape have given a strong boost to Democrats at an opportune time. Democratic strategists have stated in emails that he might as well have been a plant by the Democratic Party given the advantage he has provided them.
Democratic leaders have used the comments to pad their coffers on the eve of their election blitz.
Perhaps this makes the Democrat’s gaffer-in-chief an even more unlikely – or likely – defender of Akin. On Tuesday evening, Vice-President Joe Biden told reporters at his Providence, Rhode Island headquarters that he empathizes with Mr. Akin.
“I have put my foot in my mouth one too many times not to feel for him,” said Mr. Biden. “This timing is perfect because I landed my biggest doozy not too long ago.” He quipped, “Let’s just say I feel ‘unchained’ after these comments hit the airwaves... and the internet.”
Asked about the substance of the statement, Mr. Biden said he believes he understood Akin’s intent. “He probably meant to say that if a woman is in the mood she is more likely to get pregnant,” said Mr. Biden. “If she conceives and later charges rape, there is some reason not to find her claims quite as credible as if she did not get pregnant.” Mr. Biden was quick to clarify that if a woman does get pregnant this does not mean for certain that she was not necessarily raped.
Mr. Biden is on a one week hiatus from campaigning, which some staffers saw as a rebuke by the Obama campaign for his recent gaffe at a primariliy African American rally in Danville, Va. He offered reporters beer in a mock “beer summit” with his press corps and gamely sipped a beer on the front stoop of his headquarters.
“You know, I once had a girl in college – I was in college with her, of course – claim that I took liberties with her, so I know not all charges of improper conduct are true.”
“You know, I once had a girl in college – I was in college with her, of course – claim that I took liberties with her, so I know not all charges of improper conduct are true,” said Mr. Biden. When asked if there were any little Bidens he did not know about, the Vice President took the question in stride. “I sure hope not, but maybe he would give you guys someone else to quote in the papers until after the election.”
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney immediately pounced on Mr. Biden's comments. “Nothing that our vice president says should surprise anyone anymore,” said Romney. “No matter the outcome of this election he should have a position as the White House court jester,” said Mr. Romney. Mr. Romney declined to take any position, however, on Mr. Biden's comments or his admission of past charges of sexual misconduct. “I won't comment on these revelations until we learn more about them,” said Mr. Romney.
