The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the super-PAC American Bridge 21st Century released Web videos Wednesday attacking Mitt Romney for his support of Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock.
The videos were unveiled after Mourdock's remark during Tuesday night's Indiana Senate debate that every human life is "something God intended to happen," including when a woman is raped. Mourdock was explaining why he opposes abortion in all cases except when the mother's life is at risk.
"I struggled with it myself a long time but I came to realize that life is a gift from God, that I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something that God intended to happen," Mourdock said during the debate with Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).
After the debate, Mourdock clarified his statement, saying, "God creates life, and that was my point. God does not want rape, and by no means was I suggesting that he does. Rape is a horrible thing, and for anyone to twist my words otherwise is absurd and sick."
The DNC and American Bridge argued that Mourdock's position is "extreme" and took aim at Romney for backing his candidacy.
"We've long known Mourdock was extreme, but that didn't stop Mitt Romney from cutting an ad exclaiming, 'This fall, I'm supporting Richard Mourdock for Senate ... I hope you'll join me in supporting Richard Mourdock,' " American Bridge said a statement released with the video.
The Mourdock campaign released a 30-second spot Monday that featured Romney touting the Senate hopeful's efforts to balance the state budget and make government more accountable.
"This fall I'm supporting Richard Mourdock for Senate," Romney says in the ad. "As state treasurer, Richard worked with Gov. Daniels to balance the budget and make government more accountable. As senator, Richard will be the 51st vote to repeal and replace government-run healthcare. Richard will help stop the liberal Reid-Pelosi agenda. There's so much at stake. I hope you'll join me in supporting Richard Mourdock for U.S. Senate."
The Romney team sought to distance itself from Mourdock's comments. Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the remarks "do not reflect" Romney's views, the AP reported.
The DNC interspersed video of Romney speaking out in support of Mourdock with the Senate candidate's remarks from the debate.
"Mitt Romney has made only one ad endorsing a Senate candidate in this election. On Monday, he released that ad — for Richard Mourdock … Here's what Mourdock said the very next day. 'Even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something that God intended to happen,'" says the DNC video.
