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UPDATE: 1:00pm EST

Missouri Congressman Todd Arkin has issued an apology for comments he made Sunday when discussing abortion. 

According to USA Today:

GOP Rep. Todd Akin apologized today for comments he made regarding rape and vowed he will stay in the U.S. Senate race in Missouri.

“I made that statement in error. Rape is never legitimate. It is an evil act,” Akin told former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee in a radio interview. “I used the wrong words in the wrong way.”

Akin continued: “I don’t know I’m the only person in public office that suffered from foot-in-mouth disease here. I’m not a quitter.”

SOURCE: USA Today

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Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) is facing a wave of criticism today, after his controversial and extreme opposition when it comes to abortion in cases of rape.

Akin claimed that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant.

STORY: Close Your Legs! Paul Ryan’s War On Women 

In an interview with KTVI-TV on Sunday, Akin was asked if he supported abortion in the case of rape, he said-

“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 maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist.”

After his comments, Akin’s campaign team was quick to issue a statement on his remarks, saying the Congressman misspoke: 

“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.

“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. I also recognize that there are those who, like my opponent, support abortion and I understand I may not have their support in this election.

“But I also believe that this election is about a wide range of very important issues, starting with the economy and the type of country we will be leaving our children and grandchildren. We’ve had 42 straight months of unacceptably high unemployment, trillion-dollar deficits, and Democratic leaders in Washington who are focused on growing government, instead of jobs. That is my primary focus in this campaign and while there are those who want to distract from that, knowing they cannot defend the Democrats’ failed economic record of the last four years, that will continue to be my focus in the months ahead.”

When it comes to women’s health, Akins has been one of the more outspoken Congressman. Two weeks ago he suggested banning the Morning-After pill. What’s your take on Akin’s comments? 

SOURCE: KTVI News