Republican Senate Candidate Trivializes Rape and Incest

This post, written by Jeff Fecke, originally appeared on Shakesville

The first republican has thrown his hat in the ring against ailing Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. Who is it? State Rep. Joel Dykstra, R-Lincoln County:

South Dakota state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R) has officially entered the race for the Republican nomination to face Sen. Tim Johnson (D) in 2008.

Dykstra filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday and declared himself a "candidate for U.S. Senate."

"I am very appreciative of the encouragement that I have received in my exploration of a run for the U.S. Senate," Dykstra said. "My family and I are humbled by the expressions of support we have received from many people from across the state."

"I think 'rape and incest' is a buzzword," said Rep. Joel Dykstra about not including those conditions in the abortion bill. "It's a bit of a throwaway line and not everybody who says that really understands what that means. How are you going to define that?"