CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Republican Senate candidate from Missouri was far from the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, but Todd Akin might as well have been in the room when a panel of Democratic women convened in Charlotte. Akin, who drew heat from the left and right for his scientifically suspect claim that victims of “legitimate rape” can’t get pregnant, was brought up six times at the EMILY’s List panel, and not in a good way.
References to Akin by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, and others prompted a drawn-out, growling “ooh” from the packed audience every time. Actress Ashley Judd made the most creative reference when she described working with women in a camp in eastern Congo, all of whom were victims of rape.
“Most of them conceived in rape,” Judd said. “Mr. Akin–” She made an “up yours” gesture, to the great amusement of the audience.
Judd later offered an apology for the crudeness to Lily Ledbetter, who sat in the audience. “I need to apologize to Miss Lily,” she said. “She’s such a gracious Southern lady.”
