Foot-in-mouth rape commentary by Republican candidates was one of the most disturbing mini-trends of the 2012 election. And as the returns began rolling in......it quickly became clear that this bounty of apologies for sexual assault had paved the way for some big GOP losses.

Here's one:

Who: Linda McMahon, Connecticut Senate candidate

Comments: During a debate, McMahon clarified that no Catholic hospital should be required to provide emergency contraception to rape victims, except in cases of "emergency rape."

Outcome: Defeated by Democrat Chris Murphy, who got 55 percent of the vote.

And this one:

Who: State Rep. Roger Rivard, running for reelection to the Wisconsin legislature

Comments: Last December, Rivard got into a discussion with a local newspaper about a case in which a 17-year old was accused of forcing sex on a 14-year-old girl. Expressing his thoughts on the case, Rivard cited a motto he'd learned from his dad: "Some girls rape easy." Or in other words, girls agree to sex and then call it rape, because that's convenient.

Outcome: Rivard lost to Democratic challenger Stephen Smith by 582 votes.