Tsongas, Republican Opponents, Speak Out on Akin’s “Legitimate Rape” Comments

The statement of Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin (R-Missouri) relating to “legitimate rape” last Sunday has spread to the Bay State, where the three candidates for the Massachusetts Third Congressional District have chimed in with their reactions to the controversy.

Incumbent Niki Tsongas (D-Lowell) made no equivocations in her disagreement to Akin’s views, tying them to other Republicans, including GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.

“Congressman Akin's statements about "legitimate rape" deserve to be condemned. Unfortunately, they are no surprise to those of us who serve in the Congress,” said Tsongas. “Earlier in this Congress, they pushed for legislation to deny aid to hospitals that perform abortions even to save the life of the mother. We cannot let these extremists turn back the clock on women's hard-won rights and protections.”

While Republican challengers Jon Golnik (R-Carlisle) and Tom Weaver (R-Westford) were in agreement with Tsongas over their opposition to the statement, they believe reactions to the statement have been inappropriate.

Golnik, the Republican nominee in 2010, went as far to say that Akin should resign his nomination. However, he also noted that the comments were comparable to those made by Vice President Joe Biden.

“His comments were insensitive, but (Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth) Warren and Niki Tsongas equating his statement to all Republicans is just as insensitive,” said Golnik. “To use this quote in the creation of a fictional ‘War on Women’ is shameful, especially given that the policies of Congresswoman Tsongas and President Obama on the economy have done far more to harm women than statements like these.”

Weaver, who also ran in 2010, repeated his answer from Tuesday’s Republican Debate in Chelmsford where he called the comments “stupid,” but like Golnik, believed comments by Biden were comparable.

“If we threw out everyone who said something stupid, we’d have no one left in office, probably starting with the resignation of Joe Biden,” said Weaver.

However, Weaver did not necessarily agree with Golnik on whether Akin should leave the race, noting that he was unsure if comments like these were a continued pattern for Akin, or just an isolated gaffe.

Weaver and Golnik will face each other on Sept. 6 to see which one of them will represent their party against Tsongas in November.