U.S. Senate candidate: Having baby out of wedlock ‘similar’ to pregnancy from incest, rape

The GOP’s candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania is struggling to explain his stance on abortion and his unqualified opposition to it.

Republican Senate hopeful Tom Smith’s answer ended cleanly enough.

After giving a speech in Harrisburg Monday, the former coal industry titan said he is resolutely anti-abortion, no exceptions.

But he slipped and slid on his way to that answer — specifically when asked if women should be able to have an abortion in cases of incest or rape.

Smith says he went through something “similar” when one of his daughters chose not to get an abortion.

He was asked how that situation was similar.

“Having a baby out of wedlock,” he replied.

“That’s similar to rape?” said a reporter.

“No, no, no. Well, put yourself in a father’s position. It is similar, yes,” Smith said. “I’m pro-life, period.”

Smith had been asked to react to comments made by Missouri Republican Congressman Todd Akin, who said women’s bodies could inhibit conception in the case of rape. Akin has since admitted his error and apologized repeatedly for his remarks.

Smith is running against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Casey, who also opposes abortion, has supported exceptions allowing abortion to protect the life of the mother and in cases of rape and incest.