US Senate candidate sparks row with remark on legitimate rape

A US Senate candidate was keeping a low profile,after he sparked outrage for saying womens bodies are able to prevent pregnancies in a legitimate rape situation and that conception is rare in such cases

A US Senate candidate was keeping a low profile,after he sparked outrage for saying womens bodies are able to prevent pregnancies in a legitimate rape situation and that conception is rare in such cases.

Campaign spokesman Ryan Hite said congressman Todd Akin of Missouri was making no public appearances Monday,and did not plan any further comments on the issue.

The six-term congressman is the Republican nominee for US Senate,opposing Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in the November election. The election is one of this years most closed watched races as it represents one of the Republicans best chances of defeating a Democratic incumbent as they try to gain control of the Senate.

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Asked in an interview Sunday on KTVI-TV if he would support abortions for women who have been raped,Akin said: It seems to me first of all,from what I understand from doctors,thats really rare. If its a legitimate rape,the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.

Later Sunday,Akin released a statement saying he misspoke,though the statement did not say specifically which points. In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks,its 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.