
(CNN) - Republican Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri said Tuesday he is staying in the race for the U.S. Senate despite calls from across the political spectrum for him to drop out because of controversial comments about rape and pregnancy.
"I want to make one thing absolutely clear. We are going to continue with this U.S. Senate race," Akin said.


Yes!!! The gift that keeps on giving. Congratulations Sen. McCaskill on your re-election.
Huckabee tried to help Akin by trying to get him to say he meant forcible rape. Huckabee is a poor excuse for a minister.
I certainly hope that a lot of people wake up and realize what this Todd Akin guy is all about. Although I do know he isn't the only GOP whack job over abortion rights. One congressman said in no joking manner in a news article that "Women should just realize the situation they are in (being raped) and lie back and just enjoy it".
His comments (and co-sponsored bills already sitting in Congress awaiting Mitt Romney's signature) absolutely coincide with the GOP 2012 Platform ... of course he's staying in the race.
I agree with the folks that are saying GOPers only concern at this point is that this man spoke too soon publicly.
Huckabee tried to help Akin by trying to get him to say he meant forcible rape. Huckabee is a poor excuse for a minister
Yup. The more he tried to "explain" his position during the original interview where he was making rape "legit", the more it became clear that there was no mis-speak applicable to this. Achin' kept scooping more and more dirt with his trusty shovel errr mouth.
Sad thing is that there are enough red state ‘GOP values’ voters who will still vote for Akin – he still has the same chance of winning as he did before he made those statements.
How in blue blazzes do you condem a person for what he said then you turn around and make your plattform about what he just said. That has to be the most hypocritical thing i have seen in my life but then thats what the Goof Off Party is all about. You cant do it but we can so live with it. Thanks for the election.!!!
what's hilarious is that even after this ridiculous comment, mccaskill won't be reelected - she's that bad...
This guy is not very smart, and if Missouri re-elects him then the people there must not own a tv or have internet. Oh wait, it's Missouri,
I understand his apology. But his asking for forgiveness? What sin has he committed if he actually believes what he says? The ones who SHOULD be asking for forgiveness are those who are misrepresenting themselves. Now, as to whether this has political consequences, THAT is another matter... At least Akin is not lying about what he believes (as far as I know...) Perhaps Paul Ryan should stick to HIS principles as well and let the chips (votes) fall where they may. Heaven knows it's too late for Mitt to stick to his!
Calm down people, he apologized. Biden gets a pass, so should he. And of course he should stay in the race. He's winning and will be the next Senator from Missouri. Republicans need to stop letting Democrats steam roll them into quitting or resigning. Democrat Charlie Rangel broke numerous laws yet he is still in the House. Enuff said.
akin should stay in the race, he represent the citizens not the other politicans, he also reflects the stance of the majority of the gop, did'nt the supreme court decide the abortion matter decades ago, therefore 85% of the gop should go
All Politicans need to keep out the Nation's bedrooms...Stop family planing...stop telling women that they can or cannot do...Politicians are the last to impose their moral values and the American-People...The People want both campaign to stick to the issues...and stop all distraction...of gaffes and stupid comments....Yes...Akin does not have what is takes to go to Washington....also one must dwell on this if any now or future wanna-be have what it takes seeing the shape they have put the country in...............
Hooray for Mr. Akin! Stand up for your convictions! We Democrats REEEEEEALLLLLLYY want you to!
Why should he withdraw? He succinctly summed up the GOP's view towards both women and science. His views are THEIR PLATFORM.
This issue will spread the enire GOP ....and Americans will vote them out from the Senates and Houses.....because it is the fact of GOP policy...haha...Thanks you so much, Akin that your attitude show Americans the real face of GOP and Romney/Ryan campaign...
OH THE SOOOoo WICKED RIGHTEOUS!!! While I definitely do not agree with Akin and the other Republicans' view on Rape and Abortion, I do agree with him not dropping out of the race. THOUGH I PRAY HE DOESN'T WIN!!! Why should he drop out of the race for bringing the Republicans' True Views To Light!!!! I think it is disgraceful and even more wicked on the part of the Republican party for having the platform that it has in the first place, and then pretending to be so appalled at Akin for voicing it. For years I've often felt the way I see some have been posting on various Tickers...THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE REPUBLICAN IS SOOOoo WICKED!!! ...AND INCONSISTENT!!! On one hand "PRO LIFE ABSOLUTELY", no matter what!....Yet, WARS, WARS AND MORE WARS...just as long as it's not me who's life is at risk in the War or just as long as it's not me who's dying!!! And on a domestic level, KEEP STACKING THE LAWS SO I CAN GET EVEN MORE THAN I ALREADY HAVE OR WILL EVER NEED!!! I FEEL A EUPHORIC SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT I NEVER WANT TO DIE...I don't give a HOOT ABOUT THE PEONS who actually are dying because of my greed!!!! I'M WINNING AND THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!!!!
Just another distraction; Obama and the Democrats will try to make the election about character and being likeable rather than being a referendum on the Obama and the Democrats record of FAILURE.
Only 76 days left before Nov. 6, say focused on Solyndras, prostitution scandals, GSA parties, no federal budget for three plus years, depression level unemployment, the job market; housing market; 5 straight years of $1 Trillion deficits; the Obama policies and administration FAILURES!
Obama is going to do his best Anthony Weiner impersonation to have any chance of winning.
John, PA this is not a distraction, this is about the entire platform of the GOP. Every President and everyone who runs for President is ALWAYS asked what are you, pro life or pro choice. It has moved drastically to a stand that no abortion should be allowed PERIOD. That is the platform, GOP Governors all over the US are doing just that. Virginia doesn't ring a bell, the trans vaginal ultrasound. Or Mississippi where they have 1 clinic in the entire state that is about to be shut down by The Governors law. And funding to planned parenthood is being cut, some clinics closing their doors.
JohnPA, – You forgot to mentions Mittens illegal IRA with $100 million in it, his tax returns that had to be amended in MA, Mittens' failure to create jobs as governor, the debt he left the state in even after imposing 100s of fees on MA, his foreign accounts, and his shady dealings in Salt Lake, outsourcing MA jobs to India, tax evasion, government bailouts that made him millions, his anti women stance, his lying, etc.
The Republicans desperately want Akin to resign, and resign quickly, so they can try to sweep this embarrassment (he dared to say out loud what they all believe...not good politics) under the rug. If he doesn't, be assured this subject will be highlighted right up to November, with special attention given to the fact that Akin and Ryan were co-sponsors of the draconian anti-abortion, anti-women's health of any kind bill. With the special bonus fact being that part of this bill was outlawing IVF...which was used by three of the Rombot's sons to make a family! So, Paulie, you gonna throw Them in jail for this 'crime'??
Good. Another reason to despise the republican party. As if there weren't enough already.
Though I was offended by what Akin said, BUT I praise him for his stance and being stubborn to GOP. I do not see and difference from his refusal to quit and that of Mitt Romney refusing to release his Tax Returns. It is all about saying A BIG NO! Refusal sometimes leads to consequence which I think both have to suffer.
Why should he quit Huckabee? He's just spouting what you and all republicans believe.
JohnPA, this "distraction" was caused by a republican interview. It is c still going on because republicans have rebuked him, only to make his stance part of the party platform. Assuming you are a male, I can see why you don't see anything wrong here. But ask a woman or two how she feels.
But since we are bringing up scandals, why not look into the religious republicans skinny dipping in the holy water? Heck, we can stick with Mitt and see why his "blind trust" (look up his true feelings on that) invested in abortion.
And to the chains guy, read the freakin articles. These are republicans asking him to step down. How stupid are you? Democrats want him to stick around. With his direct ties to Ryan, this won't go away one way or the other. But it would be nice to have someone speaking what republicans actually want to do out front and center.