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Did GOP Senate Candidate Tom Smith Compare Pregnancy From Rape to 'Having a Baby Out of Wedlock'?
Republican Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. candidate Tom Smith speaks during an interview with the Associated Press, Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Philadelphia. Smith is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., in the November election.Credit: AP

Did GOP Senate Candidate Tom Smith Compare Pregnancy From Rape to 'Having a Baby Out of Wedlock'?

"Well, put yourself in a father's position. Yes, I mean, it is similar, this isn't, but I'm back to the original, I'm pro-life - period."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (TheBlaze/AP) -- The Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania on Monday seemingly compared the decision to abort an unwanted pregnancy resulting from premarital sex to one conceived through rape as he defended his opposition to abortion in all cases.

Tom Smith, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, made the remark after being asked how he would argue to keep the baby if a daughter or granddaughter were to become pregnant as a result of rape. Smith said that his daughter went through "something similar" to rape: "Having a baby out of wedlock."

In the Senate race in Missouri, Republican candidate Todd Akin drew condemnation from Democrats and many Republicans when he referred to "legitimate rape" in discussing his stance against abortion in all cases. The Missouri congressman later apologized for saying that women have a natural biological defense against becoming pregnant because of rape.

Speaking to reporters after an appearance at the Pennsylvania Press Club, Smith said he did not condone rape but was categorically opposed to abortion under any circumstances, including rape or incest.

"I lived something similar to that with my own family, and she chose the life, and I commend her for that," Smith said, adding that his daughter was not raped. "She knew my views, but fortunately for me ... she chose the way I thought."

After comparing the decisions raised by rape and out-of-wedlock pregnancy, Smith was asked a follow-up question about whether the two were similar. He replied: "No, no, no, but, well, put yourself in a father's position. Yes, I mean, it is similar, this isn't, but I'm back to the original, I'm pro-life - period."

Asked to clarify, he said: "I'm not going to argue about the method of conception. It's a life, and I'm pro-life . It's that simple."

Smith's answer is confusing in the fact that he initially answered "no" when asked if pregnancy from rape and having a baby out of wedlock were indeed similar. Then in his next sentence says, "Yes, I mean, it is similar" and claimed that he is pro-life in all circumstances. Rest assured, the issue will now be the most talked about in the Pennsylvania Senate race.

Smith had not released a statement regarding the remarks on his official website at the time of publication.

Watch the interview that aired on WGAL here:

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