State of Indiana secondary Archives: on Abortion


Joe Donnelly: Abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and maternal life

Republican Richard Mourdock ignited a controversy over rape and abortion in Tuesday's final Senate debate that lit up the internet and prompted GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to disavow his words. The storm erupted when the candidates were asked about abortion. Both Mourdock and Donnelly said they believe life begins at conception. Donnelly said he supported allowing abortions only in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

Mourdock, who appeared to choke back tears as he spoke, said the only exception he could support was if the mother's life was in danger. "Life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen," Mourdock said, his voice thick with emotion. His words drew immediate shocked reaction, [including] Romney's campaign: "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his views."

Source: Indianapolis Star on 2012 Ind. Senate debate Oct 24, 2012

Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape; only for maternal life

Richard Mourdock ignited a controversy over rape and abortion in Tuesday's final Senate debate that lit up the internet and prompted GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to disavow his words. The storm erupted when the candidates were asked about abortion. Both Mourdock and Donnelly said they believe life begins at conception. Donnelly said he supported allowing abortions only in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

Mourdock, who appeared to choke back tears as he spoke, said the only exception he could support was if the mother's life was in danger. "Life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen," Mourdock said. His words drew immediate shocked reaction, [including] Romney's campaign: "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his views." Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee's also stood by its endorsement of Mourdock.

Source: Indianapolis Star on 2012 Ind. Senate debate Oct 24, 2012

Richard Mourdock: No exception for rape, but God doesn't want people raped

Mourdock said during a debate, "Life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen." Mourdock, who seemed taken aback by the reaction, tried to clarify his comments after the debate. It was, he said, "sick" and "bizarre" that anyone would think he was saying God had intended the rape. But, he said, God created the life, regardless of the circumstances of the conception. "What I said is God creates life. As a person of faith I believe that," he said. "Does God want people raped? Of course not." Anyone who suggests he said anything else is "twisted," he said.

Donnelly commented after the debate, "I don't know any God who would ever intend something like that," he said of rape. "It is an unspeakable crime."

But Mourdock's position is reflected in the Republican Party's national platform adopted at their convention this year. In fact, it opposed abortion and made no mention of any exceptions of any kind

Source: Indianapolis Star on 2012 Ind. Senate debate Oct 24, 2012

  • The above quotations are from State of Indiana Politicians: secondary Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 11, 2021