Todd Akin Apologizes for "Legitimate Rape" Comment

Missouri Congressman Todd Akin has apologized for a remark found incredibly outrageous and offensive by both Republicans and Democrats.

In an interview with KTVI-TV of St. Louis yesterday, the U.S. Senate candidate was asked about his view on abortion and defended his strict pro-life stance by saying:

"First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Two questions, of course, have arisen from this statement:

1. What medical process of "shut down" is Akin talking about?
2. What the heck is a "legitimate" rape?!?

Following outcry from citizens and politicians - Mitt Romney's camp said “Congressman’s Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong. Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive." - Akin quickly apologized and attempted to clarify:

"In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it's clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year," he said. "I recognize that abortion, and particularly in the case of rape, is a very emotionally charged issue. But I believe deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action."

Of course, he didn't actually answer either of the questions posed above.

And now many are asking a different question of Akin: Should he drop out of the Senate race against Claire McCaskill? What do you think?

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/todd-akin-apologizes-for-legitimate-rape-comment/