Voters react to Mourdock comments on rape, pregnancy - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indiana Republican Richard Mourdock is not backing down from what he said during Tuesday night's Senate debate.

Members of his own party called for an apology, and a US senator from New Hampshire canceled her campaign appearance with him Wednesday.

Here is how Mourdock defended his statement that when a woman becomes pregnant during a rape it's "something God intended."

"I made a comment that I made quite honestly from the deepest roots and the greatest base of my faith, which is to say that life is precious. I believe that to the marrow of my bones," he said.

The hotly contested presidential and Senate races have large numbers of Boone County voting early. Many are dumbfounded by Republican Richard Mourdock's comments on rape and abortion.

Terri Batts is Baptist and pro-life.

"I can't believe he said that out loud. That's what I thought. Crazy," said Batts.

That says a lot in a conservative community where the Ten Commandments are on the courthouse lawn.

To say Boone County is overwhelmingly Republican is an understatement. In local races, most Republicans are unopposed. There is only one Democrat on the ballot.

Some voters say Mourdock's controversial comments only strengthened their support for him.

Estel Rhoton is a Tea Party member.

"I've talked to him several times like this and he just speaks from his heart and it gets him in trouble sometimes," said Rhoton.

Some aren't certain what Mourdock said.

"I think it was the way it was worded, I am not sure what it really meant," said Kathy Sebo.

Ted Winkler, an OBGYN, gave it a lot of thought.

"He felt strong from a religious perspective that we should value life and he didn't feel that we should pick and choose when life was precious and when it wasn't," said Winkler.

By many accounts this is a very close race. Large numbers of still undecided or wavering voters could have a huge impact.

This year, even staunch Republicans like Carolyn Blubaugh admit they are making tough choices.

"It was pretty difficult because I did not vote for Mourdock in the primary," she said.

But this close to Election Day, some voters have been numbed by all the campaign rhetoric.

"Sometimes when you vote, you are not sure you like either one of them. You just vote for the best one you can think of, " said Sebo.

From what voters are telling us, this could be a tie breaking misstep that costs Mourdock the undecided voters he needs to win: moderate Republicans and Democrats already put off by his primary defeat of long-time Sen. Richard Lugar. Others are seeing this as a possible step in the right direction with Mourdock solidifying his support among the most conservative voters.