Mandel Has Staked Extreme Anti-Choice Position Even In Cases Of Rape, Incest, Or When Life Of Mother At Stake

Josh Mandel’s stunning refusal to denounce Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s statement that “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen,” speaks volumes as Mitt Romney and Republican Senate candidates across the country race to distance themselves from the reprehensible comments.

When Mourdock’s exact words were read out loud to Josh Mandel this afternoon by a reporter from Politico, he refused to denounce the remarks, lied about his extreme position, then conceded that he opposes abortion even in instances of rape.

The truth is Josh Mandel’s anti-choice stance is so extreme that it makes NO exceptions for rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at stake.

WATCH: Josh Mandel refuses to denounce Richard Mourdock’s reprehensible comments about rape.

“Josh Mandel’s stunning refusal to denounce Richard Mourdock’s statement that pregnancy from rape is something God ‘intended’ even after the statement was read out loud to him is outrageous, offensive, and demands an immediate apology,” said Justin Barasky, spokesman for Friends of Sherrod Brown. “The truth is Josh Mandel’s anti-choice stance is so extreme that it would allow zero exceptions, even in circumstances of rape, incest or when the health of the mother is at stake. Ohio’s women can’t trust Josh Mandel to protect their rights any more than they can trust him to show up for work, hire qualified staff or fight for Ohio jobs.”

BACKGROUND

Mandel On Mourdock’s Comment That Pregnancies By Rape Are “Something God Intended”:  “I Think I’d Wanna See The Video Or See The Debate Before Commenting On That.”  In October 2012, when Josh Mandel was asked what he thought of Indiana Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock’s comment that pregnancy by rape is “something God intended,” Mandel replied, “I think I’d wanna see his comments, and see, is there a video of it?”  Mandel then said, “I think I’d wanna see the video or see the debate before commenting on that.”  When asked if he would make any exceptions for abortion, Mandel replied, “Well I think it’s important to protect the life of the mother, and I’m proud to be pro-life.” [Marc Kovac video, 10/24/12]

Romney Spokeswoman:  “Gov. Romney Disagrees With Richard Mourdock.”  In October 2012, USA Today, reported “Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement that ‘Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock and Mr. Mourdock’s statements do not reflect Gov. Romney’s views.’ Romney supports abortion in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is in danger. Saul said Romney still supports Mourdock.”  [USA Today, 10/24/12]

Dean Heller Spokeswoman:  “Dean Heller Disagrees.  He Does Not Share These Views.”  In October 2012, The Las Vegas Review-Journalreported “Sen. Dean Heller distanced himself Wednesday from the latest rape and pregnancy controversy tied to a fellow Republican Senate candidate.  ‘Dean Heller disagrees. He does not share these views,’ his campaign spokeswoman Chandler Smith said in response to the storm set off by Richard Mourdock of Indiana in a Tuesday debate.”  [Las Vegas Review Journal, 10/24/12]

Wisconsin Senate Candidate Tommy Thompson:  Mourdock’s Comments Are “Really Sad” – There Can Be “No Tolerance Whatsoever.”  In October 2012, The Associated Press wrote “In Wisconsin, former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who faces Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin, called Mourdock’s comments ‘really sad.’  ‘I’ve got a wife and two daughters and six granddaughters,’ he said in an interview. ‘Anything dealing with rape against women is uncalled for. Period. No tolerance whatsoever.’”  [Associated Press, 10/24/12]

Senator Scott Brown Denounced The Rape Comment Made By Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock.  In October 2012, The Boston Herald stated, “U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is distancing himself from comments about rape made by a fellow Republican Senate candidate from Indiana. Richard Mourdock said during a debate on Tuesday that he believes when a woman becomes pregnant during a rape, ‘that’s something God intended.’ Brown told reporters during a campaign stop on Wednesday that he is a ‘pro-choice Republican’ and does not share Mourdock’s views. Asked later if he still supported Mourdock’s candidacy, Brown answered that was up to the people of Indiana.” [Boston Herald, 10/24/12]

Senator Kelly Ayotte Cancelled Her Plan To Campaign With Senate Candidate Richard Mourdock After his Controversial Rape Comment. In October 2012, The Boston Globe reported, “New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte has cancelled her plan to campaign with Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, who said that when a woman becomes pregnant during a rape, ‘that’s something God intended.’ Mourdock said on Wednesday said he abhors rape and meant only that God creates life. But Ayotte’s spokesman, Jeff Grappone, said that the senator disagrees with Mourdock’s comments, which do not represent her views. Ayotte was scheduled to campaign with Mourdock on Wednesday, but canceled her trip and is in New Hampshire instead.” [Boston Globe, 10/24/12]

Mandel Supports Legislation That Outlaws All Abortions, Including When The Health Of The Mother Is At Risk And In Pregnancies Resulting From Rape Or Incest.  In a 2012 Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati questionnaire, Josh Mandel responded “Yes” to the question “Do you support federal and state legislation to ban abortion-on-demand from fertilization to birth?” Mandel was given three options: Yes, Yes with exceptions, and No.  [Federal Candidate Questionnaire, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, 1/19/12]

Mandel Signed On As A Supporter Of The Controversial “Heartbeat Bill.” In April 2011, The Dayton Daily News reported “Backers of the “Heartbeat” bill to prohibit abortion once a heartbeat is detected have added four high-profile names, including a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, to the list of those urging passage of the legislation. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati, former Ohio Secretary of State and 2006 candidate for governor Ken Blackwell and Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and possible presidential candidate, have signed on as supporters of House Bill 125 , Faith2Action, the main group backing the bill, said Monday in a press release.” [Dayton Daily News, 4/26/11]

Heartbeat Bill Mandel Endorsed Did Not Contain Exceptions For Rape or Incest.  In December 2011, the Associated Press reported “The GOP-controlled Ohio House passed the measure with a 54-44 vote in June. It’s been stalled in the Senate since then. The Senate president had several lawmakers research the bill and vet any legal issues. The heartbeat measure includes an exception for medical emergencies, but not in cases of rape or incest.” [Associated Press, 12/7/11]

Mandel Refused To List Exceptions For Rape Or Incest When Advocating For Anti-Abortion Laws. In August 2011, PolitiFact reported “a spokesman for Mandel’s campaign said, ‘Josh has always been solidly pro-life and believes all innocent human life should be protected.’ When we talked to Strickland, he said that Mandel seemed to grow more stringent in his anti-abortion views over time, culminating with his support of the heartbeat bill. Mandel supported exceptions to anti-abortion laws for cases of rape and incest, according to an Ohio Right to Life 2006 candidate survey. On a similar survey two years later, he didn’t list those exceptions to qualify his support for anti-abortion laws.” [Politifact, 8/16/2011]