Political experts weigh in on Mourdock rape comments

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Could Republican Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock's comments on rape during the debate Tuesday night be a game changer in the Indiana Senate race? So far NewsChannel 15 is hearing mixed reviews on whether Mourdock's comment on rape could cost him the race. Experts we talked with believe his comment will impact him negatively, and one said it could even affect Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Some said he misspoke but WANE-TV Political Analyst Karen Goldner doesn't believe he did.

"It was an astonishing comment and really shows just how extreme his views are," Goldner explained.

Our other Political Analyst Mark Souder told us by e-mail it's unbelievable Mourdock didn't have a better prepared answer to explain his position on abortion.

Goldner said Mourdock's comments could very well help Democrat Joe Donnelly gain supporters.

"It does make a large number of moderate and even conservative Republicans who are reasonable people right who are just let's talk about the issues, let's talk about the best way to solve our nation's problems and our state's problems makes them maybe rethink support for Mourdock."

IPFW Political Science Professor Mike Wolf said Mourdock's comments on rape contradicts what he has been telling voters.

"Mourdock's narrative had been I am a moderate Republican that can line up with the Lugar supporters. Come back home and support me. Well this doesn't first demonstrate moderation," Wolf said.

Recently Mitt Romney endorsed Mourdock.  Some Republicans, including Romney, are beginning to distance themselves from Mourdock.  In the end, Wolf said it could affect Romney's chance of becoming president.

"If Mitt Romney back peddles too fast that can negatively affect him. But, too if he's close to him there are moderates who he's trying to reach in other states that see this connection between him and a candidate that right now is having a hard time so it can have a blow back in a couple of different directions."