Romney Says Akin Should Drop Out

He speaks out after Senate candidate vows to stay in
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 21, 2012 3:40 PM CDT
Romney Says Akin Should Drop Out
Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign rally Monday in Manchester N.H.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Just hours after Senate hopeful Todd Akin reaffirmed that he's not dropping out over his "legitimate rape" gaffe, he learned that the party is not about to forgive and forget. Mitt Romney just released a statement saying Akin should abandon his run in Missouri against incumbent Claire McCaskill.

  • “As I said yesterday, Todd Akin’s comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country. Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee also reiterated its call for Akin to go, asserting, "Senator McCaskill knows that the only way she wins re-election is if Todd Akin is her opponent in November," reports the Hill. Prominent state Republicans did the same. Today's a crucial day because it's the deadline for candidates to withdraw in Missouri, notes AP. Starting tomorrow, it will require a court order to get a name off the ballot. (More Mitt Romney 2012 stories.)

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