Del. Bob Marshall (depicted above) represents the 13th District (parts of two counties, Loudoun and Prince William) in Virginia’s House of Delegates. In happier times Del. Marshall, 65, has obviously relished being the center of attention. He has seemed to enjoy seeing his own special shadow being cast across the political landscape by the bright lights of the media.

When you have an amendment to the Virginia Constitution named after yourself — the Marshall-Newman Amendment (passed in 2006) — defining “marriage” as a state that can only exist “between one man and one woman,” you can’t be shy.

Yes, Marshall’s talent to generate quotes since taking office in 1992 has been demonstrated, time and again. Liberals have seen him as a right-wing extremist, some would even call him a “crackpot.” And, it’s fair to say Marshall has been a favorite figure in the General Assembly for many conservatives.

Click here for some background on Bob Marshall by Waldo Jaquith.

Now Del. Marshall is much in the news, again; as first reported by VCU’s Capital News Service and subsequently by many others. At a press conference on Thur., Feb. 18, about Planned Parenthood he said:

“The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,” said Marshall, a Republican. “In the Old Testament, the first born of every being, animal and man, was dedicated to the Lord. There’s a special punishment Christians would suggest.”

This time Marshall may have thrown religion into politics in a way that isn’t going to set all that well on either side of the aisle, in spite of how much Rev. Pat Robertson might agree with him.

In saying what he probably believes in his heart about abortion and God’s payback ways, Marshall may have finally blathered his way into being hoisted by one of his own petards.

The Washington Post reports that Gov. Bob McDonnell has pushed away from what Marshall said in his original  statement.

“I’ve known Delegate Marshall for nearly 20 years and I’m sure he regrets saying that,” McDonnell said. “I think those are wrong and offensive comments. We should do everything we can for young children that are developmentally disabled and provide the best safety net that we can through state government.”

In the way of a laughable comb-over, Marshall has issued a damage control statement on his web site that seems to blame this brouhaha, at least in part, on the student-operated Capital News Service’s way of presenting what he said:

Statement on Recent News story by Capital News Service

MANASSAS, VA – A story by Capital News Service regarding my remarks at a recent press conference opposing taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood conveyed the impression that I believe disabled children are a punishment for prior abortions. No one who knows me or my record would imagine that I believe or intended to communicate such an offensive notion. I have devoted a generation of work to defending disabled and unwanted children, and have always maintained that they are special blessings to their parents. Nevertheless, I regret any misimpression my poorly chosen words may have created as to my deep commitment to fighting for these vulnerable children and their families.

Sincerely,

Delegate Bob Marshall
State Delegate, 13th District
Prince William County, Loudoun County

Fortunately, for those readers interested in the truth, there is a voice recording of Marshall’s now infamous statement. Click here to hear the most startling soundbite.

But will most Republicans stick by Marshall, now that he’s taken back that original warped statement? Will they allow Marshall, who has made many wild statements, to put the blame on a VCU student, Kelsey Radcliffe (at Capital News Service)? Other than record exactly what Marshall said, what was her sin?

When he has made it his habit to throw mean-spirited stink bombs into the marketplace of ideas, as Del. Marshall has, no one should be surprised when one of them blows up in his face.

– Words and art by F.T. Rea