It was just days ago when GOP House candidate Susanne Atanus told a local newspaper that she believes — and this is paraphrased — “God controls the weather and has put tornadoes and diseases such as autism and dementia on earth as punishment for gay rights and legalized abortions.”

Now, Republican leaders are urging her to get out of the race:

Jack Dorgan, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, said in a statement on Thursday, “The offensive statements by Susanne Atanus have no place in the modern political debate, and she has no place on the ballot as a Republican.” “Her candidacy is neither supported nor endorsed by the leaders of our party, and she should withdraw from the race immediately.”

I’m shocked. In a party where even the presidential candidates say things like women need birth control pills because they “cannot control their libido” or that homosexuality is comparable to man-on-dog sex, I had no idea there were limits to what was acceptable.

But let’s hope she stays in the race. She’s one of those gifts that will keep on giving, a Todd Akin-like candidate who could take the rest of the GOP down with her every time she opens her mouth.



