ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Rep. Todd Akin has reiterated his intention to stay in the Missouri Senate race after making comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."

Akin told former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on a Tuesday radio show that he was staying in because there were people who feel they aren't represented by the major political parties.

He also reaffirmed his stand as an anti-abortion lawmaker.

Akin has been frantically trying to salvage his once-promising bid against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in a race long targeted by the GOP as crucial to regaining control of the Senate.

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[Wausau, WI] Rep. Sean Duffy released the following statement today regarding comments made recently by Rep. Todd Akin about victims of rape:

“As a father and a former prosecutor who defended victims of rape, I strongly denounce Rep. Todd Akin’s callous and offensive remarks. A crime as violent and heinous as rape should never be minimized, especially by a member of Congress. I repudiate his comments and call for him to step aside so the people of Missouri can put forth a viable candidate who can defeat Claire McCaskill in November."

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Pat Kreitlow: Statement on Rep. Todd Akin's remarks:

“Congressman Akin’s comments were appalling and sad,” said Pat Kreitlow. “What makes them sadder and more personal is that our current Congressman supports redefining rape too. Rape is Rape. The government should stay out of medical offices and not insert itself between a women and a doctor.”

BACKGROUND Co-Sponsored Bill to Redefine Rape. In 2011, Congressman Duffy co-sponsored a bill which would have redefined a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt only “forcible rape” and not “rape” generally. Under the language proposed by the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, “rape” became “forcible rape.” The Washington Post reported that the bill’s critics believed “the modifier could distinguish it from other kinds of sexual assault that are typically recognized as rape, including statutory rape and attacks that occur because of drugs or verbal threats.” [HR 3 Co-Sponsors, 112th Congress; Washington Post, 2/1/11; Mother Jones, 1/28/11]
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Statement from U.S. Senate Candidate Tommy Thompson Calling on Missouri Rep. Todd Akin to Step Aside in the U.S. Senate Race:

"Congressman Akin should have come to the conclusion by now that his comments were inexcusable and an insult to rape victims. Simply apologizing is not enough. He should step aside and resign the nomination for U.S. Senate immediately."

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(WEAU) - Its issue that made headlines.

Not only are women voters frustrated, but experts say this could damage the Romney Ryan presidential campaign, that's already behind President Obama in the polls.

"The views expressed were offensive. Rape is rape," said President Obama.

The tidal wave that Akin started was on abortion rights for sexual assault victims.

"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," said Republican Congressman Todd Akin on KTVI Fox 2 News.

"There's a difference in opinions with abortion, and you cannot blame a women for getting pregnant,” said Eau Claire Gynecologist, Donna Schoenfelder in a phone interview.

Even a local Eau Claire Gynecologist shared her feelings.

"I think he is very ignorant. I think he should apologize to women for even suggesting such nonsense,” said Schoenfelder.

He later apologized on the radio.

"Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act," said Akin on the Mike Huckabee Radio Show.

Senate Democrat Claire McCaskilll had her own words to share after trailing akin in Missouri polls.

"This is jaw-dropping and stunning," said McCaskill.

Mitt Romney says Akin's original statement is inexcusable.
Meanwhile the uproar has caused a heat wave of fury across the country.

"One, with women voters specifically and secondly with the agenda, putting it back on social issues where republicans don't want to be this year. They want to be on the economy," said John Harwood, CNBC Chief Washington Correspondent.

Todd Akin says he doesn't plan to step down from the race.

But under Missouri law, he could step down and be replaced by Republican Party leaders without a penalty no later than August 21.

He has until September 25th to withdraw via a court order.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling on Missouri U.S. Rep. Todd Akin to drop out of the Senate race in that state following comments Akin made about rape.

Akin said in an interview Sunday that women's bodies are able to prevent pregnancies in cases of what he called "a legitimate rape."

Johnson issued a statement Monday calling the comments "reprehensible and inexcusable."

Johnson says Akin "should do the right thing for the nation and step aside today, so Missouri Republicans can put forth a candidate that can win in November."

Republican Tommy Thompson, who is running for the Senate in Wisconsin, says he strongly disapproves of Akin's comments. Thompson says "we all have a moral responsibility to come together in opposition to crimes against women."

Thompson's challenger Democrat Tammy Baldwin calls Akin's comments "ignorant, offensive and downright disgusting."

Akin says he was wrong in claiming that women's bodies are able to prevent pregnancies in "a legitimate rape" situation and that conception is rare in such cases.

The Missouri Republican Senate candidate went on Mike Huckabee's national radio show Monday to apologize for comments that aired Sunday on KTVI-TV in St. Louis. Akin's comments to KTVI's Charles Jaco created a furor that has included calls from some Senate Republicans for him to get out of the race.

Akin says he made a serious error but did not elaborate about how he made the mistake. He vowed to continue his campaign despite calls within his own party for him to step down, saying he's not the first politician to suffer from what he called "foot-in-mouth disease."

President Barack Obama says Akin's GOP Senate candidate's comments on rape are "offensive."

Obama said at a news conference Monday that comments by Akin do not make sense.

Obama said, "Rape is rape" and said the idea of distinguishing among types of rape "doesn't make sense to the American people and certainly doesn't make sense to me."

Obama said the comments underscore why politicians -- a majority of whom are men-- should not make decisions on behalf of women. Akin said in an interview Sunday that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in "a legitimate rape" and that conception is rare in such cases.