In Exclusive Interview, Paul Ryan Distances Self From Todd Akin
CARNEGIE (KDKA) -- In Congressman Paul Ryan's first interview in Pennsylvania, Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick reacted strongly to Congressman Todd Akin's comment than women who are raped rarely get pregnant.
"His statements were outrageous, over the pale. I don't know anybody who would agree with that. Rape is rape period, end of story," Ryan told KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano.
Ryan, like Romney, distanced himself from Akin's remarks, but in Congress, he joined Akin in opposing abortions even when a woman has been raped.
Delano: "Should abortions be available to women who are raped?"
Ryan: "Well, look, I'm proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress. It's something I'm proud of. But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration."
Despite Ryan's views, Romney says he will allow exceptions for rape and incest. Ryan also seemed to back away from earlier views on types of rape.
Delano: "You sponsored legislation that has the language 'forcible rape.' What is forcible rape as opposed..."
Ryan: "Rape is rape. Rape is rape, period. End of story."
Delano: "So that forcible rape language meant nothing to you at the time?"
Ryan: "Rape is rape and there's no splitting hairs over rape."
As for the president's claim that Romney-Ryan will restrict birth control, Ryan calls that ridiculous.
"Nobody is proposing to deny birth control to anybody," says Ryan.
Ryan says women won't fall for these side issues.
"And I don't think they're going to take the bait of all these distractions that the President is trying to throw at them."
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