On Thursday night, Joe Walsh, a Republican representative running in Illinois, spoke to reporters about abortion. Walsh said that there should not be an abortion exception for the “life of the mother” because “with modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance” where the mother could die. Walsh is running against Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
“There is no such exception as life of the mother, and as far as health of the mother, same thing,” Walsh said. Radio station WGN reported Walsh’s comments. “There is no such exception as life of the mother, and as far as health of the mother, same thing, with advances in science and technology,” Walsh said.
The comments made by Walsh are eerily similar to the ones made by Republican representative Todd Akin from Missouri. He said, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist.”
After Akin made his comments Walsh defended him, saying, “What he said was offensive, insulting and wrong, but I’m bothered by this rush to pile on. And I’m bothered by the silence of members of our own party to stand up for him.”