The second of two debates between Indiana's three US Senate candidates was Tuesday night, at Indiana University Southeast in downstate New Albany. With about 15 minutes to go in the one-hour debate, the moderator said questions received from voters reflected the divide on beliefs about conception and abortion, and one voter wanted to know, do you believe life begins at conception, and "in that person's view, 'what would you do to protect the babies who could be aborted during your term in the Senate?'" 

Republican Richard Mourdock, choking back tears, said he only supports exceptions to protect the life of a mother: "Life is a gift from God and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."

Democrat Joe Donnelly answered: "I believe that life begins at conception. The only exceptions I believe in are for rape, and incest and life of the mother."

Libertarian Andrew Horning offered this answer: "We forget that there all kinds of ways around this where we can make it easier for people to adopt children. There are lots of things we can do better than what we're doing right now but as a federal legislator I got to tell you there isn't that much that I could do."

Those are not the full answers -- to view debate and here the entire question and answers (approx. :44 into the debate) click here (C-SPAN) 

The debates are sponsored by the Indiana Debate Commission www.indianadebatecommission.com

Indiana's three gubernatorial candidates -- Democrat John Gregg, Republican Mike Pence and Libertarian Rupert Boneham – meet for debate number three of three this Thursday October 25^th, and that will be an in-studio event, no live audience, in Fort Wayne.

Election Day is Tuesday November sixth.

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