Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) has received quite a bit of attention this week, first for pushing a needlessly punitive anti-abortion bill he knows can’t pass, then again for claiming, “The incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low.”
What will he do for an encore? A couple of things, actually, starting with a round of self-pity with a group of activists who thrive on a sense of victimization.
Rep. Trent Franks, the Arizona Republican under fire for saying the incidence of pregnancies resulting from rape is “very low,” rallied with social conservatives Thursday night in the Capitol.
About 100 of the activists in town for the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, organized by Ralph Reed, cheered the embattled congressman when he made a surprise, unannounced appearance at a reception in a Senate meeting room.
“Sometimes we get a little discouraged,” Franks told them. “Believe me, I’ll tell you what, I’ve been through a spin dryer here in the last 48 hours and I wish I hadn’t assisted them so much to that end. But somehow in the long run, truth and time travel the same road. And we are very blessed that the Lord that we serve will prevail in the final analysis no matter what.”
Yes, apparently we’re supposed to feel sorry for Trent Franks. The poor guy was subjected to the “spin dryer” for a few days, but he’s convinced the “truth” will prevail. (The truth is, Franks has no idea what he’s talking about, and his claims are factually untrue.)
And when we’re done feeling pity for the Arizona congressman, we’re also supposed to feel compelled to give him some cash.
Yes, Franks has begun fundraising off his self-inflicted wound.
Since Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) claimed earlier this week that it’s incredibly rare for women to become pregnant from rape, he has been under fire from women’s rights groups, Democrats and even some members of his own party. Instead of running from his remarks, however, he’s attempting to cash in and raise money out of the controversy. “NARAL, Planned Parenthood and the taxpayer-funded abortion lobby is attacking me for one reason — I’m 100 percent unapologetically pro-life and I won’t back down,” he wrote in an email to supporters on Thursday, according to the Arizona Republic. “Will you contribute $25, $50, $100, or even $500 right now to help me fight back?” For what it’s worth, Franks’ detractors are undeterred. The American Bridge super PAC has re-launched the ItsNotJustAkin.com website, and even the White House weighed in on the controversy. The White House says comments by a Republican lawmaker about rape show, quote, an “alarming disregard for women.” Spokesman Jay Carney was talking about Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks and his assertion that incidences of pregnancy resulting from rape “are very low.” Franks is sponsoring a bill to ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the age of 20 weeks. Carney says the White House issues takes “great issue” with the comments. And he says the remarks have shone attention on the bill in a way “Republicans wish the public would forget.”
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