Rape comment Republican vows to continue the race
Source: Agencies |
August 22, 2012, Wednesday
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A Republican Senate candidate under fire for his comments about rape and pregnancy was under intense pressure to drop out of the race ahead of a significant deadline Tuesday. Republicans feared the turmoil over his remarks could cost them a crucial seat and damage their hopes for winning control of the Senate.
Congressman Todd Akin vowed to fight on despite the storm over his comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."
He was once seen as a strong challenger to incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the Midwestern state of Missouri.
But ominous signs were mounting against the six-term legislator, most notably the apparent loss of millions of dollars in campaign advertising money.
Akin went on two conservative radio shows on Monday, pledging to keep the campaign alive, even as some people in his own party urged him to step aside.
And early yesterday he posted an apology video online, but made no mention of the race.
The decision has some urgency. Missouri election law allows candidates to withdraw 11 weeks before Election Day. That means the deadline to exit the November 6 election is 5pm yesterday. Otherwise, a court order would be needed to remove a name from the ballot.
"I was told the decision has to be made by 5 tomorrow, but I was calling you and letting you know that I'm announcing today that we're in," Akin said.
In a radio interview with former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Akin repeatedly apologized for the remarks but also vowed to stay in the race.
"The good people of Missouri nominated me, and I'm not a quitter," Akin said.
The uproar began on Sunday, when St Louis television station KTVI aired an interview in which Akin was asked if he would support abortions for women who have been raped.
"It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," He said.
Later Sunday, Akin released a statement saying that he "misspoke" during the interview.
In the interviews with Huckabee and Hannity, he apologized repeatedly, acknowledging that rape can lead to conception.
"Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act. It's committed by violent predators," Akin said. "I used the wrong words the wrong way."
Congressman Todd Akin vowed to fight on despite the storm over his comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."
He was once seen as a strong challenger to incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the Midwestern state of Missouri.
But ominous signs were mounting against the six-term legislator, most notably the apparent loss of millions of dollars in campaign advertising money.
Akin went on two conservative radio shows on Monday, pledging to keep the campaign alive, even as some people in his own party urged him to step aside.
And early yesterday he posted an apology video online, but made no mention of the race.
The decision has some urgency. Missouri election law allows candidates to withdraw 11 weeks before Election Day. That means the deadline to exit the November 6 election is 5pm yesterday. Otherwise, a court order would be needed to remove a name from the ballot.
"I was told the decision has to be made by 5 tomorrow, but I was calling you and letting you know that I'm announcing today that we're in," Akin said.
In a radio interview with former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Akin repeatedly apologized for the remarks but also vowed to stay in the race.
"The good people of Missouri nominated me, and I'm not a quitter," Akin said.
The uproar began on Sunday, when St Louis television station KTVI aired an interview in which Akin was asked if he would support abortions for women who have been raped.
"It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," He said.
Later Sunday, Akin released a statement saying that he "misspoke" during the interview.
In the interviews with Huckabee and Hannity, he apologized repeatedly, acknowledging that rape can lead to conception.
"Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act. It's committed by violent predators," Akin said. "I used the wrong words the wrong way."
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