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While making remarks on [[rape]] and [[abortion]] on August 19, 2012, [[Todd Akin]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]], candidate in the [[United States Senate election in Missouri, 2012|2012 U.S. Senate elections in Missouri]], and long-time anti-abortion advocate, made the claim that women victims of what he described as "legitimate rape" rarely experience [[pregnancy from rape]]. 

The comments from Akin almost immediately led to uproar, with the term "legitimate rape" being taken to imply belief in a [[Rape#Victim blaming|view that some kinds of rape are "legitimate"]], or alternatively that the many victims who do become [[Pregnancy from rape|pregnant from rape]] are likely to be [[False accusation of rape|lying about their claim]]. His claims about the likelihood of pregnancy resulting from rape were widely seen as being based on long-discredited [[pseudoscience]] with experts seeing the claims as lacking any basis of medical validity.<ref name="canard">{{cite news | title = A Canard That Will Not Die: 'Legitimate Rape' Doesn't Cause Pregnancy | date = 19 August 2012 | url = http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/a-canard-that-will-not-die-legitimate-rape-doesnt-cause-pregnancy/261303/ | work = The Atlantic | accessdate = 2012-08-21}}</ref><ref name="pseudo">{{cite web|first=David A. |last=Graham |url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/video-of-the-day-forcible-rape-and-paul-ryans-akin-problem/261460/ |title=Video of the Day: 'Forcible Rape' and Paul Ryan's Akin Problem |publisher=The Atlantic |date=August 22, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref><ref name="NYT-21-08-2012">{{cite news | title = Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape | date = 2012-08-21 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/us/politics/rape-assertions-are-dismissed-by-health-experts.html | work = The New York Times | accessdate = 2012-08-21}}</ref> Akin was not the first to make such claims, but was perhaps one of the most prominent.<ref name="Freind">{{cite news|last=Kliff |first=Sarah |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/20/rep-todd-akin-is-wrong-about-rape-and-pregnancy-but-hes-not-alone/ |title=Rep. Todd Akin is wrong about rape and pregnancy, but he's not alone |publisher=The Washington Post |date=August 20, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref> While some voices such as Iowa congressman [[Steve King]] supported Akin,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497428-503544/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/ |title=Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion |work=CBS News |accessdate=2012-08-29}}</ref> senior figures in both parties condemned his remarks and some Republicans called for him to resign.<ref name="defense">{{cite news |url= http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/leading-social-conservatives-rally-to-akins-defense/ |title=Leading social conservatives rally to Akin's defense|work=[[CNN]] |date=2012-08-20 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="resignation demands">{{cite web|author=Seung Min Kim |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/list-of-senators-calling-on-akin-to-quit-keeps-growing-132703.html |title=List of senators calling on Akin to quit keeps growing |publisher=Politico |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref><ref name="romney 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/314452/romney-akins-inexcusable-comment-robert-costa|title=Romney: Akin’s Comment ‘Inexcusable’|last=Costa|first=Robert}}</ref> In the resulting furor, Akin received widespread calls to drop out of his Senate race from both Republicans and Democrats.<ref name="GOP chair">{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-chair-akin-should-drop-out-skip-convention/|title=GOP chair: Akin should drop out, skip convention|last=Killough|first=Ashley|date=August 20, 2012|work=[[CNN]]|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref> Akin apologized after making the comment, saying he "misspoke", and he stated he planned to remain in the Senate race. This response was itself attacked by many commentators who saw the initial comments as representative of his long-held views, rather than an accidental [[political gaffe|gaffe]].

The incident was seen as having an impact on Akin's senate race and the Republicans' chances of gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate,<ref>[http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/Todd-Akin-Legitimate-Rape-Election-166766356.html Akin Vows to Stay in Race After "Legitimate Rape" Gaffe] NBC 10 Philadelphia Scott Ross  Monday, Aug 20, 2012  |  Updated 6:56 PM EDT</ref> by making news in the week before the [[2012 Republican National Convention]] and by "shift[ing] the national discussion to divisive social issues that could repel swing voters rather than economic issues that could attract them".<ref name="cnn.com">[http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/22/politics/gop-akin-controversy/index.html Akin imbroglio is bad news for Republicans] Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:23 PM EDT, Wed August 22, 2012</ref> Akin, along with other Republican candidates with controversial positions on rape, lost due to backlash from women voters.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83449.html |work=Politico |first=Jennifer |last=Haberkorn |title=Abortion, rape controversy shaped key races |date=November 6, 2012}}</ref>

==Comments==
In an August 19, 2012 interview aired on St. Louis television station [[KTVI-TV]], [[Todd Akin]], the [[U.S. Representative]] for [[Missouri's 2nd congressional district]] and a candidate for the [[U.S. Senate]] seat held by Claire McCaskill, was asked his views on whether women who became pregnant due to [[rape]] should have the option of [[Abortion in the United States|abortion]]. He replied:
[[File:Todd Akin, official 109th Congress photo.jpg|thumb|150px|Rep. Todd Akin ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Missouri|MO]])]]
<blockquote>Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. 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.
But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jaco|first=Charles|title=The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012|url=http://fox2now.com/2012/08/19/the-jaco-report-august-19-2012/|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref></blockquote>

The comment was widely characterized as [[misogyny|misogynistic]] and recklessly inaccurate, with many commentators remarking on the use of the words "legitimate rape".<ref>{{cite web|last=DiSalvo|first=David|title=Republican Senate Nominee Todd Akin: Victims Of "Legitimate Rape" Don't Get Pregnant|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2012/08/19/republican-senate-nominee-todd-akin-victims-of-legitimate-rape-dont-get-pregnant/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Abouhalkah|first=Yael T.|title=Todd Akin's rape fantasy|url=http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/todd-akins-rape-fantasy/|publisher=Kansas City Star|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Eligon|first=John|title=Senate Candidate Provokes Ire With ‘Legitimate Rape’ Comment|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/us/politics/todd-akin-provokes-ire-with-legitimate-rape-comment.html|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref> Related news articles cited a 1996 article in an obstetrics and gynecology journal, which found that 5% of women who were raped became pregnant, which equaled about 32,000 pregnancies each year in the US alone.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Melisa M. |last1=Holmes |first2=Heidi S. |last2=Resnick |first3=Dean G. |last3=Kilpatrick |first4=Connie L. |last4=Best |title=Rape-related pregnancy: Estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women |journal=American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology |pmid=8765248 |year=1996 |volume=175 |issue=2 |pages=320–4; discussion 324–5 |doi=10.1016/S0002-9378(96)70141-2}} Cited in: {{cite web |last=Blake |first=Aaron |title=Todd Akin, GOP Senate candidate: ‘Legitimate rape’ rarely causes pregnancy |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/19/todd-akin-gop-senate-candidate-legitimate-rape-rarely-causes-pregnancy/ |publisher=Washington Post |accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref>  A separate 2003 article in the journal ''[[Human Nature (journal)|Human Nature]]'' estimated that rapes are twice as likely to result in pregnancies as consensual sex.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s12110-003-1014-0 |title=Are per-incident rape-pregnancy rates higher than per-incident consensual pregnancy rates? |year=2003 |last1=Gottschall |first1=Jonathan A. |last2=Gottschall |first2=Tiffani A. |journal=Human Nature |volume=14 |pages=1–20}} Cited in: {{cite web |last=Robillard |first=Kevin |title=Doctors: Todd Akin pregnancy claim bogus |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79895.html |publisher=Politico |accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref>  (See also [[pregnancy from rape]].)

Akin responded to the comments by first issuing a press release stating:

: "As a member of Congress, I believe that working to protect the most vulnerable in our society is one of my most important responsibilities, and that includes protecting both the unborn and victims of sexual assault.  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.  Those who perpetrate these crimes are the lowest of the low in our society and their victims will have no stronger advocate in the Senate to help ensure they have the justice they deserve."<ref>{{cite web|last=Akin|first=Todd|title=Akin Statement on "Jaco Report" Interview|url=http://www.akin.org/updates/akin-statement-jaco-report-interview|work="Todd Akin for U.S. Senate 2012" campaign website|accessdate=August 21, 2012|date=August 19, 2012}}</ref>

And then by airing a commercial in which he said:
: "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault, and I pray for them. The 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."<ref>{{cite web|last=Akin|first=Todd|title=Forgiveness|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R57E3S8RO7A|work=Youtube|accessdate=August 21, 2012|date=August 21, 2012}}</ref>

In relation to the resulting furor over his original "legitimate rape" comment, Akin was quoted as saying:
: "I talk about one word, one sentence, one day out of place, and, all of a sudden, the entire establishment turns on you."<ref>[[Maureen Dowd|Dowd, Maureen]], [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/opinion/dowd-just-think-no.html?_r=1&hp "Just Think No"], New York ''Times'' [[op-ed]], August 21, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-22.</ref>

== Background ==
{{See also|Pregnancy from rape}}
Akin is a long time pro-life activist who has served on the board of Missouri Right to Life,<ref name="akinplatform">Todd Akin Senate Campaign 2012 web site, On the Issues: Life, http://www.akin.org/issues/life, accessed 4 Nov 2012</ref>  participated in (and been arrested as part of) anti-abortion demonstrations in Missouri and Illinois as far back as 1985,<ref name="arrested">{{cite news|last=McDermott|first=Kevin|title=Todd Akin was arrested at least three times during '80s abortion protests|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/todd-akin-was-arrested-at-least-three-times-during-s/article_daebda70-1d5b-11e2-9adc-0019bb30f31a.html|accessdate=24 October 2012|newspaper=St. Louis Post Dispatch|date=24 October 2012}}</ref> and sponsored or co-sponsored three anti-abortion bills in the House.<ref name="akinplatform" />

Akin's comments were believed to be based on [[pseudoscientific]] claims<ref name="pseudo" /><ref>{{cite news|title=The Todd Akin Affair: Grenades and Stilettos|quote=[Akin's] claim—a pseudo-scientific fiction that has long been advanced by some pro-life activists who want to outlaw abortion for rape victims—was denounced by the Republican establishment|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21560876|accessdate=29 August 2012|newspaper=The Economist|date=25 August 2012}}</ref> that have been rejected by reproductive health experts.<ref name="NYT-21-08-2012" /> The current [[scientific consensus]] is that  rape is no less likely to lead to pregnancy than [[Consent|consensual]] [[Sexual intercourse|intercourse]].<ref name=CNN22-08-2012>Danielle Dellorto, [http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/21/health/rape-pregnancy/index.html Experts: Rape does not lower odds of pregnancy], ''CNN Health'' (22 August 2012)</ref><ref name=Reuters-20-08-2012>Sharon Begley and Susan Heavey, [http://news.yahoo.com/rape-trauma-barrier-pregnancy-no-scientific-basis-235231028.html Rape trauma as barrier to pregnancy has no scientific basis], ''Reuters'' (20 August 2012).</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Belluck|first=Pam|title=Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/us/politics/rape-assertions-are-dismissed-by-health-experts.html?_r=1|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=New York Times|date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Carroll|first=Linda|title=Doctors appalled over Rep. Akin's comments that 'legitimate rape' prevents pregnancy|url=http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/20/13378579-doctors-appalled-over-rep-akins-comments-that-legitimate-rape-prevents-pregnancy?lite|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=NBC News|date=21 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Shastry|first=Sangeeta|title=Doctors dispute Akin�s claim, but some supporters say it was misunderstood|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/20/3771226/doctors-dispute-akins-claim-but.html|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=Kansas City Star|date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Clancy|first=Kate|title=Here is Some Legitimate Science on Pregnancy and Rape|url=http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/context-and-variation/2012/08/20/here-is-some-legitimate-science-on-pregnancy-and-rape/|accessdate=21 August 2012|newspaper=Scientific American|date=20 August 2012}}</ref> 

Opponents of abortion have claimed that women have a biological reaction to rape that makes rape victims unlikely to get pregnant. In a 1972 article, anti-abortion Dr. [[Fred Mecklenburg]] argued that pregnancy is unlikely from rape because women are less likely to ovulate after trauma, an assertion for which he cited as evidence [[Nazi medical experimentation|experiments in Nazi death camps]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Townsend |first=Tim |last2=Bernhard |first2=Blythe |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_f267f02f-c9eb-515d-9a42-201de9b92d64.html#.UDPbiGk6sjY.twitter |title=Akin appears to have picked up conclusions from 1972 article now hotly disputed |publisher=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref> Former president of the [[National Right to Life Committee]] and general practitioner [[J. C. Willke|John C. Willke]], said rape victims are unlikely to get pregnant in a book published in 1985, in a 1999 article, and in a 2012 interview.<ref>{{cite web|last=Willke |first=John C. |url=http://www.christianliferesources.com/article/rape-pregnancies-are-rare-461 |title=Rape Pregnancies Are Rare |work=Life Issues Connector |publisher=Christian Life Resources |date=April 1999 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> These claims were dismissed by professors of obstetrics at [[Harvard Medical School]] and the [[University of North Carolina]].<ref name="NYT-21-08-2012"/> 

Pennsylvania state Republican representative  [[Stephen Freind]] was one of the first legislators to make the argument that rape prevents pregnancy, claiming in 1988 that the odds of a pregnancy resulting from rape were "one in millions and millions and millions."<ref name="Freind" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Freind admits he erred, exaggerated on rapes|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n9RRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8m0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3152,8910888&dq=stephen+freind+one+in+millions+and+millions+and+millions&hl=en|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=March 30, 1988}}</ref> Similar claims were made by Republican [[Henry Aldridge]] of the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]] in 1995.<ref name="canard" /><ref name='AP0395'>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lawmaker-Says-Rape-Can-t-Cause-Pregnancy-3036411.php | title = Lawmaker Says Rape Can't Cause Pregnancy | date = April 21, 1995 | publisher = San Francisco Chronicle | agency = Associated Press | accessdate = 2012-08-21}}</ref>

Akin cosponsored the [[Sanctity of Human Life Act]]
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introduced in its 2011 (112th Congress) version by Ron Paul with no cosponsors. -
"The Plum Line" post erred in the bill's name, but linked to the Sanctity of Human Life Act cosponsored by Akin.
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which would have conferred full legal personhood on embryos beginning at fertilization or cloning. He was also an original cosponsor of bills recognizing only "forcible" rape<ref>{{cite web|title=H.R. 3 -- No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (112th Congress)|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.00003:}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=H.R. 358 -- Protect Life Act (112th Congress)|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.00358:}}</ref> to narrow access to federal funding for abortions. Under the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, as introduced, "victims of [[statutory rape]] ... would be on their own. So would victims of incest if they’re over 18. And ... 'forcible rape' ... seems certain to exclude ... cases where a woman is drugged or has a limited mental capacity."<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Michelle|title=GOP Abortion Bill Redefines Rape|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/01/31/gop-abortion-bill-redefines-rape.html|publisher=The Daily Beast|accessdate=27 August 2012|date=30 January 2011}}</ref>

==Reactions==
Akin's remarks were strongly condemned by some Republicans.  [[Mitt Romney]] said they were "inexcusable, insulting, and frankly, wrong."<ref name="romney 1" /> and called for Akin to step down, as did [[Paul Ryan]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis |first=Susan |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/todd-akin-abortion-missouri-senate-race-/1 |title=Romney calls on Akin to withdraw from Senate race |publisher=USA Today |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref>  The [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] said that "if he continues with this misguided campaign, it will be without the support and resources of the NRSC."  Republican [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Minority Leader]] [[Mitch McConnell]] said Akin's remarks were "totally inexcusable" and "wildly offensive".  Conservative commentators [[Sean Hannity]], [[Charles Krauthammer]], and [[Mark Levin]] all called for Akin to step aside, as did the editorial teams of the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' and ''[[National Review]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497287-503544/defiant-akin-says-hes-staying-in-race/|title=Defiant Akin says he's staying in race|last=Condon|first=Stephanie}}</ref> and nine sitting US Senators, along with all four former Republican Missouri Senators: [[John Danforth]], [[Kit Bond]], [[James Talent]] and [[John Ashcroft]] and also serving Missouri Republican Senator [[Roy Blunt]].<ref name="resignation demands" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Vaughn |first=Jason M. |url=http://fox4kc.com/2012/08/21/blunt-ashcroft-bond-danforth-and-talent-call-for-akin-to-step-aside/ |title=Romney, Blunt, Ashcroft, Bond, Danforth and Talent Call for Akin to Step Aside |publisher=Fox4kc.com |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> Fellow Republican Congressmen and Senate hopefuls [[Jeff Flake]] and [[Denny Rehberg]] further added their names to those calling for his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Camia |first=Catalina |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/20120820romney-jeff-flake-gop-criticize-akin-rape-comments.html |title=Romney, GOP, criticize Akin controversial comments on rape |work=USA Today |publisher=Azcentral.com |date=August 20, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> Republican super PAC [[American Crossroads]] announced it would be cutting off all aid to Akin's candidacy.<ref>{{cite web|first=Nia-Malika |last=Henderson | first2=Paul |last2=Kane |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-eye-tuesday-deadline-for-akin/2012/08/21/fcf695a2-eb8c-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html |title=Todd Akin should drop out of Senate race, Romney says |publisher=The Washington Post |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref>

After Akin cancelled an interview on the [[CNN]] show ''[[Piers Morgan Tonight]]'', host [[Piers Morgan]] spoke to the empty chair meant for Akin and denounced him as "a gutless little twerp".<ref>{{cite web|last=Blake |first=Meredith |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-todd-akin-piers-morgan-gutless-little-twerp-20120821,0,4674719.story |title=Piers Morgan calls Todd Akin a 'gutless little twerp' |publisher=Los Angeles Times |date=August 21, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref>

There were multiple calls from Republicans for him to step down as nominee.  ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported a "stampede" of Republicans dissociating from Akin as part of [[damage control]], with [[National Republican Senatorial Committee|NRSC]] chairman [[John Cornyn]] saying the GOP  would no longer provide him Senate election funding and describing Akin as "endangering Republicans’ hopes of retaking the majority in the Senate".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-todd-akins-rape-comments-abortion-is-back-in-the-campaign-spotlight/2012/08/20/c497bae4-eac7-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_story.html |title=National GOP pulls funding from Todd Akin’s Missouri race|last= Nia-Malika Henderson & Paul Kane|work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2012-08-20 |publisher=[[Washington Post Company]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref> A campaign spokesman for [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Paul Ryan]] said both disagreed with Akin's position and would not oppose abortion in instances of rape. Ryan reportedly called Akin to advise him to step aside.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79929.html?hp=t2_3 |title=Reports: Paul Ryan called Todd Akin&nbsp;— Tim Mak |publisher=Politico.Com |date=2012-08-08 |accessdate=2012-08-21}}</ref> [[Republican National Committee|RNC]] Chairman [[Reince Priebus]] warned Akin not to attend the upcoming 2012 Republican convention and said he should resign the nomination.  He described Akin's comments as "biologically stupid" and "bizarre" and said that "This is not mainstream talk that he's referring to and his descriptions of whatever an illegitimate rape is. We're hoping he hears [these calls to drop out of the race]".<ref name="GOP chair" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/aug/20/picket-rnc-chair-wants-akin-step-aside-and-not-com/ |title=PICKET: RNC Chair wants Akin to 'step aside' and not come to convention |publisher=Washington Times |date= |accessdate=2012-08-21}}</ref> According to ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'', "prominent conservative bloggers" urged Akin to drop out, while "influential conservative voices" such as [[Erick Erickson]] and [[Richard Grenell]] tweeted that Akin was dropping out, the latter of which was interpreted by ''The Hill'' as a way of pressuring Akin to drop out of the race.<ref name="The Hill">{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/244425-republicans-pressure-akin-to-drop-out-of-missouri-senate-race|title=Republicans pressure Akin to drop out|last=Jaffe|first=Alexandra|date=August 20, 2012|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref>

Akin was defended by some social conservative organizations, including the [[Family Research Council]]. A spokesman for the Council said that "We feel this is a case of [[gotcha politics]]... We know who Todd Akin is. We've worked with him up on the hill. He's a defender of life."<ref name="defense" /> Akin's remarks were also defended by the evangelical Christian activist [[Kirk Cameron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/pop-cult-1.811972/kirk-cameron-defends-rep-todd-akin-legitimate-rape-comment-1.3919624|title= Kirk Cameron defends Rep. Todd Akin 'legitimate rape' comment | publisher = Newsday | author = Leora Arnowitz | accessdate = 2012-07-23}}</ref> A representative of the [[American Family Association]] cited Willke's 1999 article to argue Akin "was exactly right".<ref name="NYT-21-08-2012"/> Pro-life theologian [[Pia de Solenni]] called Akin's remarks "idiotic", but also claimed that there is "no solid data" on the question of whether rape inhibits pregnancy, and opined that it was not a "far stretch <nowiki>[from effects of long-term stress on fertility]</nowiki> to wonder if women who are raped might have a lesser rate of pregnancy resulting from the rape".<ref>Pia de Solenni, "[http://piadesolenni.com/when-pro-lifers-do-the-work-for-abortion-advocates/ Responding To Akin: When Pro-Lifers Do The Work For Abortion Advocates]", blog posting (21 August 2012).</ref> Robert Fleischmann, director of pro-life group Christian Life Resources, similarly argued that Akin's point was plausible but lacked data ("I have yet to see a study that demonstrates some sort of contraceptive effect from a rape.  I do believe, however, it is not an unwarranted conclusion." and "Statistically speaking, it appears something happens in a rape, either with the victim or with the perpetrator, that reduces the incidence of pregnancy.").<ref>Robert Fleischmann, [http://www.christianliferesources.com/news/rape-pregnancy-and-the-akin-controversy-8741 Rape, Pregnancy, and the Akin Controversy], Christian Life Resources (21 August 2012).</ref> In response to Republican demands that Akin resign, [[Personhood USA]] spokeswoman Jennifer Mason said that Akin's position "is an integral part of the Republican Party platform, the same position that was held by President Ronald Reagan" and  that "[we] are left with Reagan Republicans, who agree with the Republican Party platform on abortion, and Romney Republicans, a fringe group of liberals who compromise on human life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweek.com/article/index/232337/defending-todd-akin-5-reasons-right-wingers-still-support-him |title=Defending Todd Akin: 5 reasons right-wingers still support him |publisher=The Week |date=August 23, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=jennifer |url=http://www.personhoodusa.com/news/personhood-usa-calls-romney-back-akin-support-gop-platform |title=Personhood USA calls on Romney to back Akin in support of GOP Platform |publisher=Personhood USA |date=August 22, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref> [[Mike Huckabee]] supported Akin by soliciting donations for his Senate campaign and accusing the "Republican establishment" of a "carefully orchestrated and systematic attack."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501363_162-57499430/huckabee-stands-by-akin-in-embattled-senate-bid/ |title=Huckabee stands by Akin in embattled Senate bid |publisher=CBS News |date=August 23, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-25}}</ref>

Akin's Senate opponent, [[Claire McCaskill]], released a statement stating, "It is beyond comprehension that someone can be so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape.....The ideas that Todd Akin has expressed about the serious crime of rape and the impact on its victims are offensive."<ref>{{cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Rep. Akin: Pregnancy from rape is 'really rare'|url=http://news.yahoo.com/rep-akin-pregnancy-rape-really-rare-204250962.html|publisher=Yahoo! News|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref>

President [[Barack Obama]] also responded to Akin's comments by saying "Rape is rape....And the idea that we should be parsing and qualifying and slicing what types of rape we're talking about doesn't make sense to the American people and certainly doesn't make sense to me."<ref>{{cite web|last=Condon|first=Stephanie|title=Akin apologizes for rape comments; Obama says "rape is rape"|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57496599-503544/akin-apologizes-for-rape-comments-obama-says-rape-is-rape/|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref>

Akin gave two radio interviews in which he stated that he was in the race to win.  On ''[[The Sean Hannity Show]]'', he stated "I was told that there is a decision has to be made by 5 o'clock tomorrow but I was calling you and letting you know that I'm announcing today that we're (staying) in."<ref>{{cite web |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |title=Akin: Seriously, I am not getting out |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/08/akin-seriously-i-am-not-getting-out-132604.html |accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref> On the [[Mike Huckabee]] show he stated, "Rape is never legitimate... I used the wrong words in the wrong way."<ref>{{cite web|title=Todd Akin Apologizes for Rape Comments in Interview With Huckabee|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/todd-akin-apologizes-for-rape-comments-in-interview-with-huckabee/261340/|publisher=THe Atlantic|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref>

On August 26 the Republican political consultant [[Mary Matalin]] said on [[ABC ThisWeek]] that Republicans would "run a write-in" candidate to defeat Akin, and would "transfer the money" if necessary.<ref>{{cite web|last=Legum|first=Judd|title=Top GOP Operative: Republicans ‘Will Run A Write-In’ To Defeat Todd Akin|url=http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/26/745701/top-gop-operative-republicans-will-run-a-write-in-to-defeat-todd-akin/|publisher=ThinkProgress|accessdate=August 28, 2012|date=August 26, 2012}}</ref>

The Republican political consultant [[Karl Rove]], at a briefing to wealthy donors on August 30, joked that "We should sink Todd Akin. If he's found mysteriously murdered, don’t look for my whereabouts!" and urged attendees to press Akin to drop out. "We have five people who are interested ... We don’t care who the nominee is, other than get Akin out."<ref>{{cite news|last=Kolhatkar|first=Sheelah|title=Exclusive: Inside Karl Rove's Billionaire Fundraiser|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-31/exclusive-inside-karl-roves-billionaire-fundraiser|accessdate=August 31, 2012|newspaper=Businessweek|date=August 31, 2012}}</ref>

==Political impact==
Political analysts from the New York Times and the Washington Post said that the comments had the potential to swing the [[United States Senate election in Missouri, 2012]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Silver|first=Nate|title=Akin Comments Could Swing Missouri Senate Race|url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/akin-comments-could-swing-missouri-senate-race/??smid=tw-nytimes|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 19, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Henneberger|first=Melinda|title=Say goodnight, Todd Akin|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/say-goodnight-todd-akin/2012/08/19/beb78a96-ea40-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_blog.html|publisher=Washington Post|accessdate=20 August 2012}}</ref>  
Akin's comments sparked a renewed focus on the so-called Republican "[[War on Women]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Maxwell|first=Zerlina|title=Todd Akin, Paul Ryan and the very real war on women|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/the_rumble/2012/08/todd-akin-paul-ryan-and-the-very-real-war-on-women|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Eugene|title=Todd Akin’s comment brings ‘war on women’ back to prominence|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-todd-akin-comment-brings-war-on-women-back-to-prominence/2012/08/20/c4570fae-eafd-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Akin's comments reignite war on women|url=http://video.msnbc.msn.com/jansing-and-co/48725939/#48725939|newspaper=NBC News|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Despite Denials Akin’s Comments Are Part GOP War On Women|url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/08/20/despite-denials-akins-comments-are-part-gop-war-on-women/|newspaper=CBS|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref> Political analysts have pointed out Akin's cosponsorship of anti-abortion bills with vice presidential candidate Ryan<ref>{{cite web|last=Zengerle |first=Patricia |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/20/us-usa-politics-abortion-idINBRE87J04A20120820 |title=Republicans push Akin to quit Senate race over rape comments &#124; Reuters |publisher=In.reuters.com |date= |accessdate=2012-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sargent|first=Greg|title=How bad is the Ryan-Akin anti-abortion bill?|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/how-bad-is-the-ryan-akin-anti-abortion-bill/2012/08/20/c7e37e04-eafe-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_blog.html|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mahtesian|first=Charles|title=Akin: A damage estimate|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/charlie-mahtesian/2012/08/akin-a-damage-estimate-132556.html?hp=l1_b1|publisher=Politico|accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref> and the Obama campaign has "attempt[ed] to link the Wisconsin lawmaker to controversial remarks Akin made about about rape."<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2012/August/Obama-Hits-Ryan-on-Bills-Forcible-Rape-Language/ Obama Hits Ryan on Bill's 'Forcible Rape' Language] Christian Broadcast News. Thursday, August 23, 2012</ref> Businessweek stated that the incident will draw attention to the fact that the national platform of the GOP "allow[s] no exception for terminating pregnancies caused by rape."<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-20/republican-platform-won-t-protect-mortgage-tax-deduction Republican Platform Panel Backs Blanket Ban on Abortion] Businessweek James Rowley August 22, 2012</ref> It also led to a focus on other GOP candidates' positions on rape and abortion; [[Tom Smith (Pennsylvania politician)|Tom Smith]], a candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, was criticized for saying that pregnancy out of wedlock was "similar" to rape in response to a question about abortion exceptions for rape, a question that he might not have been asked had Akin's controversial comments not brought GOP rape views into the public eye.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/08/27/tom_smith_republican_candidate_makes_rape_gaffe.html The Fruits of Todd Akin: Pennsylvania Edition]</ref> [[Richard Mourdock]], Senate candidate from Indiana, similarly was criticized for stating that pregnancy from rape was "something that God intended to happen."<ref name="under">{{cite news|last=Raju|first=Manu|title=Richard Mourdock under fire for rape remarks|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/10/richard-mourdock-under-fire-for-rape-remarks-139411.html?hp=l1|accessdate=October 24, 2012|newspaper=Politico|date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> The event was seen as hurting the Republicans' chances to win over swing voters, by highlighting their controversial positions on social issues rather than the economic issues they hoped to emphasize.<ref name="cnn.com"/>

A national poll conducted by [[Angus Reid Public Opinion]] showed that 84% of Americans disagreed with Akin's comments about "legitimate rape", and that 63% wanted him to drop out of the U.S. Senate race.<ref>{{cite web |last=Canseco |first=Mario |title=Americans of All Political Stripes Believe Akin Should Drop Out of Senate Race |url=http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2012.08.23_Politics_USA.pdf |accessdate=23 August 2012}}</ref> A poll released August 23 by [[Rasmussen Reports]] showed a steep drop in support for Akin among Missouri voters with McCaskill leading Akin in this poll by roughly 10 points in a sharp reversal of Akin's earlier lead.<ref>Rasmussen Reports (August 23rd, 2012). [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_senate_elections/missouri/election_2012_missouri_senate Election 2012: Missouri Senate]. Retrieved 2012-8-23</ref><ref>Silver, Nate (August 23rd, 2012). [http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/republican-voters-could-sit-out-missouri-senate-race/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter|Republican Voters Could Sit Out Missouri Senate Race]''The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-8-23</ref>

A poll released August 24 showed that Mitt Romney's previous lead over Barack Obama among Missouri voters had "vanished", with the two presidential candidates tied within the margin of error.<ref>Rasmussen Reports (August 24th, 2012). [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/missouri/election_2012_missouri_president Election 2012: Missouri President]. Retrieved 2012-8-25</ref>

According to Charles Babington of the [[Associated Press]], the incident highlighted the long-running tension between the social conservative and more moderate, corporate factions of the Republican party.  According to Babington, social conservatives were angered by the criticism directed at Akin by more moderate Republicans such as Mitt Romney.  In the wake of Romney's and other Republican leaders calls for Akin to quit the senate race, socially conservative Republican [[Mike Huckabee]], for example, called the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] "union goons."<ref>Babington, Charles, [[Associated Press]], "[http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-akin-row-shows-gops-social-fiscal-rift-172535636.html Analysis: Akin row shows GOP's social-fiscal rift]", ''[[Yahoo! News]]'', 27 August 2012</ref>

===Akin Plank===

Following the controversy over Akin's remarks concerning "legitimate rape", Democrats began calling a platform provision at the 2012 Republican National Convention that calls for a "[[human life amendment]]" to the Constitution  which bans abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest the "Akin Plank".<ref>{{cite web|last=Feldmann|first=Linda|title=Akin plank: GOP set to approve 'no exceptions' anti-abortion platform|url=http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/akin-plank-gop-set-approve-no-exceptions-anti-abortion-platform|publisher=Alaska Dispatch|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Helderman|first=Rosalind S.|title=Dems: GOP platform includes ‘Akin’ plank|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/21/dnc-gop-platform-includes-akin-plank/|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Rep Plank opposes">{{cite web|last=Borchers|first=Callum|title=Republican plank opposes all abortions|url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-08-22/politics/33303423_1_abortion-ban-human-life-amendment-platform-committee|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref> The text of the plank does not mention rape, and is not different from planks adopted in 2008 and 2004. A Romney campaign spokeswomen, Amanda Henneberg, stated Romney "opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother."<ref name="Rep Plank opposes"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Feminism}}
{{commons category|Women's rights}}
*[[War on Women]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akin rape and pregnancy controversy, Todd}}
[[Category:2012 controversies]]
[[Category:Political controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:2012 in Missouri]]
[[Category:2012 in American politics]]
[[Category:Deleted Wikipedia articles]]