Romney calls on Akin to drop out of Senate race

Updated at 5:26 p.m. ET

(CBS News) Mitt Romney on Tuesday stepped up his criticism of Republican Rep. Todd Akin and called on the congressman to drop out of the Missouri Senate race because of his recent, controversial remarks on rape and abortion.

"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," Romney said in a statement. "Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race."

Romney's statement came after Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri released a joint statement with four former Republican Missouri senators calling on Akin to step aside.

"We do not believe it serves the national interest for Congressman Todd Akin to stay in this race," the Missouri politicians said. "The issues at stake are too big, and this election is simply too important. The right decision is to step aside."

An aide for Romney's running mate Paul Ryan said that Ryan agrees that Akin should exit the race.

The six-term conservative congressman has come under fire since suggesting in an interview Sunday that women couldn't get pregnant from rape.

"It seems to me first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare," Akin said when asked whether he would support abortions for rape victims. "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," Akin said of a rape victim's chances of becoming pregnant.

In spite of widespread calls from within the GOP for Akin to drop out of the competitive race against Democrat Claire McCaskill, Akin so far insists he's not quitting.

Defiant Akin says he's staying in race
Akin apologizes for rape comments; Obama says "rape is rape"
O'Donnell: Akin's comment cost him $10 million

In a radio interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday afternoon, Akin said he spoke with Ryan on the phone today about the controversy.

"He said he recognized I have to make a tough decision here," Akin said. "He said he thought maybe I should give some thought to stepping down, but he didn't tell me what to do."

Akin said he's staying in the race to put "principle over politics" and focus the race on broader issues. "It still seems to me there has to be room in the challenges that we face in America to broaden the scope of what a campaign needs to be about," he said.

When Hannity suggested he could be putting the GOP's success at risk for personal gain, Akin said, "My interest in this race has nothing to do with me. It has to do with who we are as a nation."

Referring to his primary victory, Akin added, "The point is, the people of Missouri chose me." When Hannity pointed out that "they chose you before the mistake," Akin responded, "Yeah. That's true."

An Akin campaign official confirmed to CBS News that Akin is still considering the possibility of getting out of the race before Sept. 25.

Had Akin decided to drop out before 5 p.m. CT Tuesday, he could have done so easily. If he drops out after that point but before Sept. 25, the Missouri GOP will have to obtain a court order to replace his name on the ballot. After Sept. 25, the state will not change the names on the state ballot, no matter what.

"Obviously, you continue to gauge things as you're on the air and as things evolve," the Akin campaign official said. "Intuitively, what I will tell you is the roughest time of any controversy is the first 48 hours, and I think the cable news shows are going to be bored of it after two days."

The official added, "You never prevent yourself from evaluating new facts. You're never blind to new information."

Akin is scheduled to return to Missouri today after shooting a slate of ads in Ohio. Asked what the game plan is now, the Akin campaign official said, "Raise money and work hard--the same way he won the primary.... He's never been a favorite of the insiders, so he's comfortable remaining that way."

While the National Republican Senatorial Committee is now refusing to help finance Akin's campaign, the official said the Akin campaign isn't worried. Akin, after all, defeated primary opponent John Brunner, who put $7 million of his own money into his campaign.

[fischerg153]

Rape? What would any republican know about rape? Rape is a Democratic thing. Just ask Bill Clinton, JFK, or Ted Kennedy, etc. That is why the Dems are so pro-abortion, and pro birth control. They like to abuse women and hide the consequences. Obama even likes late term abortions when the baby is alive with a soul. He is a baby killer!
Congressman Akin is a good decent Christian man. He obviously knows nothing about rape and should never discuss it, but who would you rather your daughter marry Congressman Akin or Bill Clinton?
Bill Clinton, a man who has actually physically abused/raped women is the freaking KEYNOTE SPEAKER at the DNC!!
All of you Akin haters should crawl back into you little rat holes and vote for the party that has absolutely no respect for women, the Democrats

[BWGilbert]

This sort of comment by Akin is not surprising and I'm glad he said it. I wish Romney would be more open in talking about his own bizarre faith-medicine beliefs such as "[tobacco] is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle" as found in the LDS scriptures and that drinking caffeinated soda is okay but hot or cold tea and coffee violate the "Mormon Health Code" even if decaffeinated. The Mormon hierarchy claims that coffee and tea contain "harmful chemicals" other than caffeine, but have never identified what "other" chemicals in decaf are harmful. Some Latter Day Saints have told me that coffee and tea contain harmful tannins, however medical science has shown that tannins have antioxidant properties and are beneficial to our health -- not to mention the fact that coffee is relatively low in tannins when compared to "healthy" fruits, vegetables and nuts.

[royalstar05]

The New York Times is giving odds on the presidential election and says Obama has a 67% chance of winning to Romneys 33%. Just sayin.

[Smilestoo]

This is good news for the country.

[fiberglass3]

I'm surprised Romney would ask him to step aside.
Todd Akin is acting as a true republican't obstructionist. He will fit right in.

[abbe91]

Add to it that Romney is in bed with people who think as Akin. Just google "John Willke".

[sweetcakesmaria]

Akin should make a deal with Romney. Akin should tell Romney to release ten additional years of his tax returns which would instantly remove all suspicions about his finances and will prove that he's not a tax cheat. In return, Akin would agree to end his Senate run and allow Missourians to elect a Senator that is fully capable and qualified to represent the interest of all Missourians.

[quincytodd]

This is good news indeed. Anything that's bad for the Republican Party is good for America. But then again, the Democratic Party has swung so far to the right that this is getting less and less relevant. Today we have two political parties on the right with all the moderates and liberals programmed out. This does not bode well for this country's future!

[Smilestoo]

At least we know where Akin and Huckabee stand.

[bbinfla]

Todd? Hey Buddy, Mitt here. Listen I am going toinsist that you step down from the Missouri Senate race, but hey really I want you to stay right where you are. Yeah, I mean it Todd, You are just what the Republican party wants to help change all of our laws. We want to go back to the days before Roe V Wade. Yeah if a woman is the victim of a legitimate rape she doesn't need a doctor just let her get a coat hanger.

[88Ronin]

If women simply stop giving our time and energy to the institutions that oppress, they could cease to be."
--Sonia Johnson

ABORT REPUBLICANISM.

[88Ronin]

Republicans are not pro-life; they are pro-control of women. If Republicans can control women, they control children. The control of children will eventually allow control of everyone, as children mature.

Republicans place great importance on control of women and children because it is the only way they can maintain power. Brainwash children from birth to accept their authority and BELIEVE myth as if fact.

Republicans learned this from religion, which mastered control of women and children. No thinking adult would ever accept Republicanism or religion, if not brainwashed from birth to BELIEVE.

What else could be expected from cultists, whether Mormon, Catholic or EvilGelical?

REPUBLICANISM: PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY
[Perhaps that is why Republicans are called "REDS".]

[RollotheNorman]

Willard, Akin told me he wouldn't give a pinch of s--- for your campaign advice. Balls in your court Willard, let's all see some that much ballyhoo'd leadership of yours.