Missouri Republican U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin says he misspoke after making some controversial comments about pregnancy and rape on a St. Louis-area talk show.
Related: Akin Corrects Statement, Says Rape is Never Legitimate
Related: Akin Apologized for Controversial Statement About Rape
On Sunday, Akin said women who are victims of “legitimate rape” don’t get pregnant because their bodies have a way to “shut that whole thing down.”
Akin’s comments drew national attention almost immediately, including a response from his opponent, incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. See her tweet below.
As a woman & former prosecutor who handled 100s of rape cases,I'm stunned by Rep Akin's comments about victims this AM http://t.co/n9SVOukJ
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) August 19, 2012
Others have also taken to Twitter to voice their outrage over Akin’s statement. President Barack Obama even tweeted on the issue.
"The views expressed were offensive. Rape is rape." —President Obama on Rep. Todd Akin's comments
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 20, 2012
And still others were quick to voice their concern that Akin, who apparently believes a woman’s body can prevent pregnancy, serves on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Wait. Todd Akin is on the House Science Committee?! I'm just… I'm just going to let that sink in for a minute. http://t.co/b8iJHNMb
— Kelly Hills (@rocza) August 20, 2012
https://twitter.com/amaeryllis/status/237256201635778560
And yes – Todd Akin is a member of the House Science and Technology committee. Weep for America. http://t.co/EszYX3LA
— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) August 19, 2012
Akin’s quickly recanted his statements, saying he misspoke, which sent Twitter into another frenzy.
"I misspoke" = "I accidentally said what I really believe" #legitimaterape
— Ish (@Ish) August 19, 2012
GOP Rep Todd #Akin now says he misspoke. He meant to say that sinful witches float whereas innocent women sink.
— Frank DeGraaf (@countondowntown) August 19, 2012
Re Akin "I misspoke"–we need a new phrase: "I mis-thought."
— Ruth Marcus (@RuthMarcus) August 20, 2012
For more on what Twitter is saying over the Akin fallout, see the tweets below.
The best answer to Mr. Akin is to elect @clairecmc in Nov. #fgs
— Francis G. Slay (@MayorSlay) August 20, 2012
Todd Akin's remarks about "legitimate rape" were inexcusable, insulting and embarrassing to the GOP. #mosen
— Sarah Steelman (@sarah_steelman) August 20, 2012
Dear Todd Akin: You know what a woman's body CAN actually block? You from getting elected to the Senate. Legitimately.
— Benari (@BenariLee) August 20, 2012
https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/237376998807314432
Wow – @RepToddAkin tries to defend his indefensible #legitimaterape remarks – http://t.co/AqeIY1Pa /via @heykim
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 20, 2012
Ya gotta give it to the GOP. Just when it's seems they couldn't be more out of touch with mainstream they found a #LegitimateRape candidate.
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) August 20, 2012
Worst thing about the #legitimaterape embarrassment is that the Missouri Republican Party still says @RepToddAkin is a legitimate candidate.
— David Waldman-1, of Yorktown LLC™ (@KagroX) August 19, 2012
As of Monday, National Republican Senatorial Committee announced it will no longer support Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri in his U.S. Senate bid. We tried to find tweets supporting Akin, however, if they’re out there they are few and far between.
