The national debate surrounding rape comments by Missouri Congressman Todd Akin includes references to a similar episode that took place right here in Indiana.  There are direct parallels between what Todd Akin said and comments made last year by state Representative Eric Turner.  The New York Daily News and CNN have both made the connection.

Turner’s comments came during an abortion debate in the General Assembly in 2011 when Turner suggested that abortions for rape or incest victims amounted to a loophole.  “Someone who is desirous of an abortion,” he said, “could simply say that they’ve been raped or there’s been incest.”

At the time it prompted an emotional response from Rep. Linda Lawson, a former detective who is now the House Democratic leader.  She talked about interviewing rape victims.  “They don’t make it up,” she said.  “Then they have to go to court, they have to stand in a courtroom, and they have to face the person who did it to them.”

Now Lawson says that what Akin said, “absolutely” reminds her of what Turner said.  Akin apologizes in a new campaign ad saying, “Rape is an evil act.  I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize.”

And Turner apologized on the House floor a day after his remarks saying, “I wish I would’ve chosen my words better yesterday as I was speaking during some of the amendments.”

Neither Akin nor Turner has expressed a change in position that allows for abortion in cases of rape or incest.  That leads Linda Lawson to say that while both Akin and Turner regret what they said publicly, they have not changed their minds.

Efforts to reach Rep. Turner for comment were unsuccessful