Congressman Mike Pence -- who is in the middle of a race for governor -- distanced himself from U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock Wednesday morning.
Mourdock said in a debate last night that pregnancies resulting from rape are God's intent.
"I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen," Mourdock said on a question about abortion.
Democrats immediately pounced on the comment and Gov. Mitt Romney also denouced it.
Now you can add Pence to that list.
"I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night's Senate debate. I urge him to apologize."
While Pence is strongly against abortion, his campaign said he has consistently supported exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
That doesn't appear to be the case though.
A question on Indiana Right to Life's survey this year asked statewide candidates in which circumstances they believe abortion should be legal.
Pence checked B - or life of the mother only.
Democrat John Gregg checked B and C - life of the mother and rape and/or incest.
Gregg's campaign also pointed out that last year Pence signed on to a House resolution with no exceptions.
The Pence campaign has not yet responded.
To contact Niki Kelly email her at nkelly@jg.net or follow her on Twitter @nkellyatJG.
Note
The attached Associated Press video contains Richard Mourdock's entire comment Tuesday night on the subject.
Related
- Mourdock says Democrats are twisting his words
- Romney still supports Mourdock; ad stays
- Mourdock denounced, defended
- Verbatim: Mourdock's words were distorted
- Verbatim: Mourdock was terribly disrespectful to rape victims
- Mourdock: God creates life, and that was my point
- Verbatim: GOP must ‘stop the coddling’
- Verbatim: Women’s fundamental rights are on the ballot
