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Congressman Todd Akin asks 'forgiveness' for rape remarks Congressman Todd Akin seeks 'forgiveness' for rape gaffe
(40 minutes later)
Embattled Congressman Todd Akin, who has caused uproar by saying women's bodies could prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape", is asking for forgiveness in a new video. Embattled US congressman Todd Akin, who caused uproar by claiming women's bodies could prevent pregnancy in cases of rape, has asked for forgiveness.
The clip was an apparent last-ditch attempt to make amends with voters and fellow Republicans who are demanding the beleaguered Senate candidate for Missouri quit. His video appeal is an apparent last-ditch bid to defuse the furore over his remarks, as fellow Republicans demand the Senate candidate for Missouri quit.
If he is to pull out, Mr Akin must do so by Tuesday under a Missouri law that allows candidates to drop out 11 weeks before polling day. "Fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy," the sixth-term lawmaker said.
He has until 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) to withdraw from the race. Mr Akin has until 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on Tuesday under Missouri law to withdraw his candidacy.
Correspondents say Republicans fear the backlash over his gaffe could endanger their plan to win control of the US Senate in November's elections.
'Evil act''Evil act'
Correspondents say Republicans fear the backlash over Mr Akin's gaffe could endanger their hopes of winning control of the US Senate in November's elections. Last week Mr Akin had a comfortable lead in opinion polls over incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the Midwestern state of Missouri, which has leaned increasingly conservative in recent years.
Last week the sixth-term congressman had a comfortable lead in opinion polls over incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the Midwestern state of Missouri, which has leaned increasingly conservative in recent years. Then on Sunday, he was asked by local news station KTVI-TV about his no-exceptions view on abortion.
Then on Sunday, Mr Akin was asked by local news station KTVI-TV about his no-exceptions view on abortion. The 65-year-old congressman replied: "It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that is really rare.
The 65-year-old congressman said: "It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that is really rare.
"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.""If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
Mr Akin took to the airwaves on two conservative radio shows on Monday in an attempt to defuse the furore, and resisted calls from prominent Republicans to drop out of the race. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said Mr Akin's claim "contradicts basic biological truths".
And in a face-to-face video message on Tuesday, Mr Akin said: "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologise. He went on two conservative radio shows on Monday and resisted calls from prominent Republicans to drop out of the race.
"Fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness." In a face-to-face video message on Tuesday, Mr Akin said: "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologise.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan quickly distanced their campaign from Mr Akin's views. He added: "The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."
Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, said Mr Akin's remarks might "prevent him from effectively representing" the party. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, swiftly distanced themselves from Mr Akin.
He said Mr Akin should "take time with his family" to consider whether he should continue in the Missouri Senate race. 'Gutless little twerp'
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee reportedly told Mr Akin that $5m (£3.2m) in advertising set aside for Missouri would now be spent elsewhere. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, said the Missouri congressman's remarks might "prevent him from effectively representing" the party.
He said Mr Akin should "take time with his family" to consider his candidacy.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee has reportedly told Mr Akin that $5m (£3.2m) in advertising set aside for Missouri would now be spent elsewhere.
The Karl Rove-backed Crossroads organisation also pulled its ads from Missouri.The Karl Rove-backed Crossroads organisation also pulled its ads from Missouri.
President Barack Obama also hit out at Mr Akin on Monday, saying "rape is rape". President Barack Obama also criticised Mr Akin on Monday, saying "rape is rape".
But Senator McCaskill, whose campaign appears reinvigorated by the fallout from her Republican challenger's remarks, did not join calls for him to stand aside. But Senator McCaskill, whose campaign appears reinvigorated by the fallout from her Republican challenger's slip-up, did not join calls for him to stand aside.
She said Republicans were trying to "kick sand in the face" of their party's voters in Missouri who selected Mr Akin this month as their candidate.
On Monday evening, CNN television host Piers Morgan labelled Mr Akin a "gutless little twerp" for pulling out of an appearance on his show.