While campaigning in Pennsylvania yesterday, Congressman Paul Ryan was asked if abortions should be available to women who are raped.  This has been the hot topic since Congressman Todd Akin, linked the words “legitimate” and “rape” in his notorious interview.  Ryan distanced himself, repeating President Obama, word for word, with “rape is rape.”

It’s never a good sign when you’re quoting your opponent except to draw a contrast. Besides, it was not apparent that Ryan recalled where he first heard the words as he spoke them.  And he had an interesting back-up message. It sounded like,  if you don’t believe me, Mitt Romney will be calling the shots as president anyway.  Isn’t that a problem? As the republican vice-presidential pick, voters are suppose to assume that Ryan would be able to lead from day one. Whose policy would he follow then?

Here are highlights from Jon Delano’s interview with Paul Ryan on KDKA.

Delano: “Should abortions to be available to women who are raped?”

Ryan: “Well, look, 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.” …

Delano: “You sponsored legislation that has the language ‘forcible rape.’ What is forcible rape as opposed…”

Ryan: “Rape is rape. Rape is rape, period. End of story.”

Delano: “So that forcible rape language meant nothing to you at the time?”

Ryan: “Rape is rape and there’s no splitting hairs over rape.”

The Art of Talking Back, posted August 22, 2012