The Todd Akin campaign released a new advertisement today titled "Forgiveness." The Akin campaign reports it's taking his apology for his controversial comments about rape to the airwaves in Missouri. (See the video below.)
Akin spent Monday trying to salvage his once-promising bid against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in a race long targeted by the GOP as crucial to regaining control of the Senate. But ominous signs were mounting against the six-term legislator from suburban St. Louis, mostly notably the apparent loss of millions of dollars in campaign advertising money.
Akin went on two conservative radio shows Monday, pledging to keep the campaign alive, even as some people in his own party urged him to step aside.
The decision has some urgency. Missouri election law allows candidates to withdraw 11 weeks before Election Day. That means the deadline to exit the Nov. 6 election is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Otherwise, a court order would be needed to remove a name from the ballot.
"I was told the decision has to be made by 5 tomorrow, but I was calling you and letting you know that I'm announcing today that we're in," Akin told radio host Sean Hannity.
In a radio interview with former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Akin repeatedly apologized for the remarks but also vowed to stay in the race.
"The good people of Missouri nominated me, and I'm not a quitter," Akin said.
The uproar began Sunday, when St. Louis television station KTVI aired an interview in which Akin was asked if he would support abortions for women who have been raped.
"It seems to me, 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," Akin said.
Later Sunday, Akin released a statement saying that he "misspoke" during the interview.
In the interviews with Huckabee and Hannity, he apologized repeatedly, acknowledging that rape can lead to conception.
"Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act. It's committed by violent predators," Akin said. "I used the wrong words the wrong way."
Akin issued a press release this morning announcing the new campaign ad, with a link to the ad being hosted at YouTube.