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Obama team tries to tie Romney to Mourdock

David Jackson
President Obama and Mitt Romney

President Obama's campaign is trying to tie Republican rival Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan to embattled Senate candidate Richard Mourdock and his comments about rape.

In a new video, the Obama campaign asks, "Mitt Romney's solution to extremism against women? Promote the extremists."

In a debate this week in Indiana, Mourdock said he opposes abortion in cases of rape: "Even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, it is something that God intended to happen."

Obama himself responded to the comments last night, telling Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, "You know, I don't know how these guys come up with these ideas."

He said, "Rape is rape. It is a crime. And so, these various distinctions about rape and -- you know -- don't make too much sense to me. ... The second thing this underscores, though, this is exactly why you don't want a bunch of politicians -- mostly male -- making decisions about women's health care decisions."

Obama hopes to make the women's vote a key part of his election coalition.

As USA TODAY's Catalina Camia reports, Mourdock said his comments have been "twisted" out of context.

"I said life is precious," Mourdock said at a news conference. "I believe life is precious. I believe rape is a brutal act. It is something that I abhor. That anyone could come away with any meaning other than what I just said is regrettable, and for that I apologize."

Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul said in a statement, "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock, and Mr. Mourdock's statements do not reflect Gov. Romney's views."

Romney supports abortion rights in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is in danger. Saul said Romney still supports Mourdock.

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