This is the convention prelude of the Republicans’ dreams — their nightmares, that is. The made-for-TV gathering was meant to showcase candidate Mitt Romney’s economic credentials and GOP unity. Instead, Romney is heading to Tampa with the national debate focused on rape and abortion and with the divisions within his party on full display.
“It’s a huge distraction,” said Saul Anuzis, a RNC member from Michigan and a top Romney backer, of the quarreling touched off by embattled Missouri Rep. Todd Akin this week. “We should be talking about the economy, and here we are consumed by these side issues.”
Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, sought to gain ground Wednesday with fresh criticism of President Barack Obama on health care in separate rallies and with a new TV ad.
Instead, the ticket found itself overshadowed by the uproar over Akin’s refusal to drop out of his Senate race after causing a stir by saying that women’s bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of “legitimate rape.” He has apologized and said he misspoke, but he also has bucked calls from top Republicans — including Romney and Ryan — to abandon his bid.
“It’s bad timing. Akin happening now sort of amplifies the whole thing,” said Charlie Black, a veteran GOP presidential campaign strategist and informal Romney adviser, referring to distractions from the campaign’s economic message.
But Black and others predicted that the national conversation will shift back to the economy — and an unemployment rate above 8 percent — by the time Romney accepts the nomination Aug. 30, and certainly by this fall.
“I can’t imagine Obama running ads in suburban Pennsylvania in October tying Mitt Romney to Todd Akin,” Black said. “If he does, it means we’re winning.”
For now at least, Akin’s comments have caused a furor in the Republican Party as it’s trying to narrow the advantage Obama and the Democrats have among female voters. And the debate has highlighted fissures within the GOP over when abortion should be legal. Romney does not oppose abortion in cases of rape and incest or if it will save a mother’s life, while Ryan does oppose abortion in cases of rape and incest.
Underscoring the split, the Republican National Committee is including support in its draft platform for an outright ban on abortion in all cases.
Ryan stoked the debate Wednesday when he emphasized anew that Romney is the nominee, brushing aside differences in their records.
“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,” Ryan told a Pennsylvania TV station. “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.”
Romney’s campaign rejected the idea that the Akin issue was overshadowing the party’s effort to stir enthusiasm in its base membership. Advisers also said they weren’t worried that Missouri would become competitive when it has long been considered a state Romney was virtually assured of winning.
Focus on hot-button social issues
Missouri Rep. Todd Akin has become a potential flashpoint in the fall campaign with his comments this week about women’s bodies and rape. He has apologized for the remarks but refuses to drop out of his Senate race, despite calls from top Republicans — including presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan — to abandon his bid. On Wednesday, Ryan said he is proud of his opposition to abortion in all cases but that “Mitt Romney … will set the policy of the Romney administration.”
