CNN analyst weighs in on Mourdock's statement

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - CNN's senior analyst Jeffrey Toobin was in Fort Wayne this evening as a guest speaker for IPFW's Omnibus Lecture Series.

NewsChannel 15 was able to sit down with Toobin in a one on one interview about his analysis of Mourdock's statement regarding rape as "God's will".

Mourdock made this comment during Tuesday night's senate debate. He was answering a question about women's right to an abortion, even if a child was conceived through rape. Toobin said this could damage his campaign.

"When you start talking about rape and God, you start to sound bizarre," he said.

Toobin said within this controversial statement, Mourdock showed disregard to the swing voters. He said Mourdock's risk is alienating swing voters who aren't comfortable with the issue of abortion and rape, and could have those undecided voters vote for Donnelly.

Another risk, Toobin said, is major political figures losing their support. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney released a commercial backing Mourdock in the state's senate race. Wednesday, the Romney campaign released a statement saying: "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his view."

"He's trying to be loyal to his republican colleague, but he's also trying to avoid alienating women," said Toobin.

Toobin said if Mourdock wants to remand a contender in this race, he'll need to show he's more mainstream to social issue, than being more radical.