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Todd Akin's pro-life arrest record

Apparently, Todd Akin, of the "legitimate rape" Akins, was arrested during some type of clinic blockade approximately 20 years ago.  Even though I am passing this on, ironically it is to me non-news.

First, blocking clinics and making trouble is what a lot of pro-life activists did 20 years ago. Doing aggressive Operation Rescue-type work was intimidating to pregnant women and clinic workers and largely counter-productive for the image of the pro-life movement (especially when correlated to clinic violence-- which is not to say that it caused people to engage in violent action). That being noted, having clinic protest work on his resume by itself does not make Akin a relatively extreme pro-lifer.

Second, how is getting arrested outside of a clinic 20 years ago worse than Akin's contemporary comments on rape? News of clinic protest work is somehow going to make Todd Akin more toxic?

Clearly, pro-life politicians and activists are getting behind Akin after an appropriate period of tut-tutting and strategic distancing until some of the stink wore off. News of past arrests outside of clinics is only going to enhance his bona fides with people already inclined to support his moribund campaign.

Politico article link: Akin speaks about old arrest at abortion clinic

LifeSiteNews link: Rick Santorum: 'Freedom-loving Americans' should support Todd Akin

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