Justin's Political Corner

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) wasted no time using Rep. Todd Akin’s (R) talk of “legitimate rape” against him in the Missouri Senate debate Friday.

Both candidates tried to paint the other as too far on the fringes for Missouri’s heartland electorate. McCaskill tied Akin to Rep. Michele Bachmann in her opening statement; Akin alleged repeatedly McCaskill had voted with President Obama “82 percent of the time.”

McCaskill rejected Akin’s suggestion that he represents the middle of anything right from the start.

She alluded to Akin’s “controversial statements” in her opening address without directly mentioning the time Akin suggested female biology prevents pregnancy in the case of “legitimate rape.” McCaskill said Akin’s comments were still relevant to the election despite the fact that he’s apologized for them after they set off a national firestorm.

“Rep. Akin’s comments opened the window to his views for Missourians,” McCaskill said.

“I believe a rape victim should be allowed to have emergency contraception to avoid pregnancy,” she said. “Todd Akin does not.” McCaskill reiterated her support for emergency contraception, but avoided directly addressing abortion.

McCaskill said Akin’s support for “privatizing Medicare” and eliminating the school lunch program also demonstrated his extreme views.

That may be true when it comes to McCaskill vs. Akin, but the debate was actually about three visions for America: Libertarian nominee Jonathan Dine joined Akin and McCaskill on the debate stage.

He too attacked Akin over “legitimate rape.”

h/t: Evan McMorris-Santoro at TPM