Candidate for U.S. Senate in Indiana Richard Mourdock issued some controversial statements during a debate with his opponent. He said that even where a pregnancy occurred due to rape it was likely God’s will. From the Detroit Free Press:

“Life is that gift from God. I think that even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something God intended to happen,” Mourdock said, his voice thick with emotion.

Mitt Romney immediately distanced himself from the Mourdock comments, saying:

“Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock’s comments, and they do not reflect his views,” said Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Romney’s campaign.

But Mitt Romney just issued a ringing endorsement of Mourdock, which the Democratic National Committee will not soon let him forget. The DNC issued a video showing the Romney endorsement, and linking the two together. The Romney campaign has been trying to close the gender gap so this controversy could not come at a worse time for them. Look for additional Democratic attacks linking Romney with Mourdock, as well as with the Republican candidate for Senate in Misssouri Todd Akin, as they try to widen that gap.

A final note on this is the huge benefit that Democrats have accrued from the choices made by Republican primary voters. You could make a reasonable argument that Republicans could have taken over the U.S. Senate in the last cycle were it not for blowing safe seat pickups in Nevada and Delaware, among others. They have continued on that path this year by nominating Akin and Mourdock. And they may well have dealt a big blow to Mitt Romney as well. Keep up the good work!