Swift, Furious Reaction To Steve King’s Rape/Incest Comments

Congressman Steve King’s comments this morning on rape and incest drew quick and widespread condemnation from across the political world.

“What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled out anyone who was a product of rape or incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” the Des Moines Register reported King saying at the Westside Conservative Club this morning. “Considering all the wars and all the rapes and pillages that happened throughout all these different nations, I know that I can’t say that I was not a part of a product of that.”

After the story published around noon, King started trending online once again, and reactions started pouring in.

“Yet again, Steve King puts his selfish, hateful ideology above the needs of the people of Iowa’s 4th district,” J.D. Scholten, the Democratic candidate in Iowa’s 4th District, said in a statement. “Excusing violence — in any way — is entirely unacceptable. Here in Iowa, we stand strong together in the face of violence, and strive to create a welcoming and safe community for all people. His comments are disrespectful to survivors and don’t reflect Iowan values. We stand for bringing all people together and fighting for the positive change that we desperately need here in Iowa.”

King’s main Republican primary opponent, State Senator Randy Feenstra, called King’s comments a distraction that undermine the “pro-life” cause:

I am 100% pro-life but Steve King's bizarre comments and behavior diminish our message & damage our cause. Trump needs defenders in Congress, not distractions. I will ensure we win this seat & I'll be an effective conservative leader in Congress. #IA04 https://t.co/x8M58B0gh0

— Randy Feenstra (@RandyFeenstra) August 14, 2019

This line of criticism could be particularly damaging to King, who has tried to secure his position in the Republican Party and conservative movement by presenting himself as a national anti-abortion leader. But many opponents of abortion rights would likely be aghast at framing their beliefs in such a way that King did this morning.

King was talking about his position of allowing no exceptions in abortion laws for rape and incest victims. Then he seemed to connect it to his many thoughts and opinions on culture and population, which typically contain some sort of racial component.

[inline-ad id=”0″]

Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, who has been increasingly publicly critical of King in recent weeks on legislative issues, fired off multiple missives in King’s direction.

I am appalled by Rep. Steve King’s cruel comments & his blatant disrespect for sexual assault survivors. As someone who strives for bipartisanship, I can tell you, this is not about Republicans or Democrats — this is about King’s pattern of disgracing Iowans w/ his rhetoric. https://t.co/whkFEb9nm8

— ARCHIVED Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (@RepFinkenauer) August 14, 2019

Pro-choice organizations blasted King in statements put out this afternoon.

“As reproductive health care experts who care for survivors of sexual violence, we find Rep. King’s remarks today beyond reprehensible and unconscionable,” said Erin Davison-Rippey, Iowa State Executive Director of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “They are not only an attack on survivors of sexual assault but his comments seek to normalize and perpetuate rape culture. No matter their circumstances, everyone deserves the right to determine their own future.”

“Steve King has proven once again that he is a national embarrassment and a rape apologist,” added NARAL President Ilyse Hogue. “He has no place in Congress. Every member of his party should condemn his misogynistic and racist views and he should resign immediately.”

Democratic presidential candidates were quick to chime in their words of support for Scholten and criticism of King. Both Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker called on King to resign. Many candidates, including Jay Inslee, John Delaney, Julian Castro, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke and Steve Bullock tweeted out links to donate to Scholten. [Update: Bernie Sanders and Tom Steyer have also weighed in — it’s probably safe to assume that the entire field will by the end of the day.]

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee also sent out an email to their list of nearly one million members to fundraiser for Scholten.

Pete Buttigieg, who was campaigning in Eastern Iowa today, replied to a CNN reporter’s question on King’s comments.

“You would think it would be pretty easy to come out against rape and incest, then again, you think it’d be pretty easy to come out against white nationalism,” Buttigieg said. “This is just one more example why there needs to be a sane representative in that district, and it’s why I think JD Scholten will be an excellent public servant for that district.”

King is currently holding a town hall forum this afternoon in Rockwell, Iowa. Angry constituents can be heard outside of the room shouting “Go home Steve King!” and are calling him a Nazi.

by Pat Rynard
Posted 8/14/19