Richard Mourdock, Joe Donnelly spend day dealing with rape, abortion comment

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock is now saying that his comments about rape and pregnancy during Tuesday's debate have been twisted. Democrats are trying to capitalize on this self-inflicted injury but Republicans from Mitt Romney to Mike Pence have issued statements distancing themselves from Mourdock's comments.

Mourdock called reporters together at state GOP headquarters to perform damage control directed at voters who might be turned off by his suggestion that God sometimes intends for rape victims to become pregnant. He was emotional as he said he abhors violence and believes God does, too.

"If they came away with any impression other than that I truly regret it," said Mourdock. "I apologize that they came away and I have certainly been humbled by the fact that so many people think that that somehow was an interpretation."

But Mourdock made no effort to back away from the principles that were stated this way in the New Albany debate: "Life is that gift from God," he said, "and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something that God intended to happen."

Democrats, including Mourdock's Senate opponent, Joe Donnelly, see opportunity. Donnelly stood in front of a domestic violence shelter to issue a brief statement.

"His words were extreme," said Donnelly of Mourdock, "but maybe as important to survivors of sexual abuse, and there are too many hard working people in the building behind us who deal with this on a daily basis."

But Mourdock also tried to use this circumstance for political advantage.

"I spoke from my heart, I spoke with my principle," he said, "I spoke with my faith and if others want to somehow turn those words and use them against me, again, that's what's wrong with Washington today."

Yet if Mourdock is to get to Washington, he needs to change the subject and his lukewarm apology likely failed to accomplish that goal.

READ MORE | Reactions on Mourdock's comments

Mourdock's schedule changed considerably because of this controversy. He passed up a rally staged by the National Federation of Independent Business and New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte didn't come to town as planned. She was to make three campaign stops with Mourdock Wednesday.