Romney says Akin should exit Missouri Senate race
KASIE HUNT,Associated Press
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. Akin vowed to fight on in his embattled Senate campaign as the deadline to exit the Nov. 6 elections loomed Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, putting pressure on the Missouri congressman to abandon the race over his comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape."(AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is calling on Republican Todd Akin to abandon his Senate bid in Missouri following the congressman’s comments about rape.
Romney on Tuesday pointed to a statement from a group of current and former Missouri legislators who urged Akin to drop his bid against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Romney says, quote, “I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race.”
Akin said that a woman’s body has ways to prevent pregnancy in cases of what he called “legitimate rape.”
Romney had previously denounced Akin’s comments, but he had not yet urged the Missouri congressman to drop out.
Akin has vowed to stay in the race and has described the calls to leave an “overreaction.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
