'Todd Akin Put Sword Into Heart of Pro-Abortion and I'm Glad,' Says Eureka Pastor

Robert Kee said U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin, R-, is a good man, and that he, for one, welcomes this new debate about abortion-related issues. Kee, a resident who is a pastor currently unaffiliated with a specific church, said he was not offended by Akin's original remarks that sparked controversy across the nation.

"It takes guts, someone with guts, to stand up for what they believe in," said Kee.

"I think what happened is intervention. What if God did this to change our focus from money to abortion?"

Kee, a pro-life advocate, said he agrees some women lie about being raped when it comes to wanting to end pregnancies, and that's what he believes Akin was referring to when he referenced the phrase "legitimate rape" in a St. Louis-based .

Saying Akin "is not off in left field," Kee said he has seen the same items quoted about the chances of pregnancy from rape being rare.

"He (Akin) is not alone; I regretted he apologized," said Kee. "I may be the only one in the country who thinks this way, but this is a debate. What he (Akin) said was a debate point, and in a debate, you wouldn't apologize."

, news to which Kee reacted favorably. 

"If Todd would win, he could be very popular...even be the new Newt Gingrich," said Kee.

Kee said he is glad Akin's remarks "politically opened up" the cultural differences that exist about this major topic. "We (U.S. citizens) haven't really debated abortion since the 1970s and 1980s, so it's time to do so." 

He said he believes Akin put a sword into one of the pro-abortion main arguments, and for that, he is getting "crucified."

Kee said what people have seen for the past week is "the cultural war of America."

Starting Monday morning, the Washington Post reports Democrats plan to phone voters in 20 congressional districts in an attempt to tie Republicans who are up for re-election to Akin's controversial comments that suggested women could not become pregnant when raped. This Democratic-driven phone campaign comes just as Republicans are gathered in Tampa for the Republican National Convention.

Editor's Note:  To read more Patch news coverage regarding Todd Akin's controversial remarks, see the list of articles linked in the SEE MORE ON PATCH section available at the right-hand side of this article.