ST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri Republican congressman Todd Akin is apologizing for his televised comments in which he said women's bodies are able to prevent pregnancies if they are victims of a "legitimate rape."
Appearing on former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's radio show, Akin said he had "used the wrong words the wrong way." He says rape is "never legitimate" -- and that it's an "evil act" committed by "violent predators."
At least two Republican senators today joined the calls for Akin to leave the Missouri Senate race in which he is challenging Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill.
But Akin says he's "not a quitter."
Still, he may have problems paying for his campaign. An official with the National Republican Senatorial Committee says the head of the group -- Sen. John Cornyn (KOHR'-nihn) -- called Akin today to tell him that the committee had withdrawn $5 million in advertising it had planned for his campaign.
Cornyn is calling Akin's comments "indefensible," and suggesting he take 24 hours to consider what's best for him, his family and his party.
Mitt Romney has also denounced Akin's comments, telling the National Review they were "insulting, inexcusable and frankly wrong."
President Barack Obama, meanwhile, says Akin's remarks underscore why male politicians should not be making health decisions on behalf of women.
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171-a-15-(President Obama, at briefing)-"the American people"-President Obama says Missouri Congressman Todd Akin's comments on rape are offensive. (Akin said in an interview Sunday that women's bodies can usually prevent pregnancies in 'a legitimate rape,' and that conception is rare in such cases.) (20 Aug 2012)
<<CUT *171 (08/20/12)>> 00:15 "the American people"
176-a-11-(Congressman Todd Akin, R-Mo., and Republican Senate candidate, in interview)-"off the bat"-Congressman Todd Akin says his comments about rape were the wrong words used in the wrong way. COURTESY: "The Mike Huckabee Show syndicated nationally by Cumulus Media Networks" ((mandatory on-air credit)) (20 Aug 2012)
<<CUT *176 (08/20/12)>> 00:11 "off the bat"
177-a-12-(Congressman Todd Akin, R-Mo., and Republican Senate candidate, in interview)-"very serious error"-Congressman Todd Akin says he's sorry for his comments about rape, but he is not going to give up his Senate campaign. COURTESY: "The Mike Huckabee Show syndicated nationally by Cumulus Media Networks" ((mandatory on-air credit)) (20 Aug 2012)
<<CUT *177 (08/20/12)>> 00:12 "very serious error"
APPHOTO CER102: FILE - In this Feb 18, 2012 file photo, Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin, R-Missouri, waves to the crowd while introduced at a senate candidate forum during a Republican conference in Kansas City, Mo. The two losing candidates in the Republican primary for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat are getting renewed attention after Akin's comments about rape on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, file) (18 Feb 2012)
<<APPHOTO CER102 (02/18/12)>>
