President Obama's team continued to hammer Mitt Romney over controversial comments by U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock regarding rape and pregnancy in a Web video released Thursday.
The ad opens with video of Romney and Mourdock together, with onscreen text saying the Republican nominee was "making headlines with his continued support for this Republican Senate candidate."
Video of Mourdock from the debate arguing that "even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen" then plays.
The onscreen text then says Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), "holds the exact same position" — an apparent reference to Ryan having previously said that he did not support abortion in instances of rape.
"I've always adopted the idea, the position that the method of conception doesn't change the definition of life," Ryan is shown to have said.
"Mitt Romney's 'solution' to extremism against women? Promote the extremists," the onscreen text concludes.
In a statement Thursday, the Romney campaign said it disagreed with Mourdock's comments but continued to support his bid for the U.S. Senate and would not ask the Indiana Republican to pull an ad featuring Romney.
“Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock, and Mr. Mourdock’s comments do not reflect Gov. Romney’s views,” Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said. “We disagree on the policy regarding exceptions for rape and incest but still support him.”
In a press conference Wednesday, Mourdock accused Democrats of twisting the meaning of his comments.
"I would be less than faithful to my faith if I said anything other than 'Life is precious.' I think it is a gift from God. I don't think God would ever want anyone harmed, sexually abused or raped. I think it's wrong when someone wants to take what I said and twist it," Mourdock said.
He made his debate comments while explaining his opposition to abortion rights in cases of rape and incest.
Mourdock is an Evangelical Christian. Many who share his faith believe God chooses when conception occurs and that abortion is equivalent to murder.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) on Thursday said the comments were another marker of “of how deeply embedded the extremism is when it comes to women's health in the Republican Party.”
“So women should be very concerned about whether or not Mitt Romney would be supportive of their health. He's clearly, consistently, not been. He's embraced extremism when it comes to women's health, and the Richard Mourdock endorsement and ad is the latest example,” said Wasserman Schultz.
This story was updated at 9:55 a.m.
