Garrett: Akin's abortion comments make Romney campaign "nervous"

(CBS News) National Journal correspondent Major Garrett said comments by Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., regarding abortion and "forcible rape," make the Romney campaign "more nervous" about a conversation they already want to avoid.

"Democrats...are going to make the point, as they have consistently, that Mitt Romney and his own approach to abortion, even though it has evolved over time, may be out of step with where the majority of the country is from the Obama campaign's point of view," Garrett said Monday on "CBS This Morning."

Romney rebukes Akin rape remark

Akin, who is running against Senator Claire McCaskill for Missouri's Senate seat, said in an interview Sunday while explaining his opposition to abortion even in instances of rape that women's bodies go into a biological defense mode when raped that prevents pregnancy.

Garrett said the Obama campaign will make the argument that Romney's running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, is even "more extreme" than Romney. He added that the Obama campaign has already been running ads in swing states that the Republican pair's views are "inconsistent with women's views" on both contraception and abortion. "I guarantee you it's the last thing a Romney/ Ryan ticket want to talk about right now," he added.

What Romney and Ryan do want to talk about, Garrett said, is Medicare.

The "Romney/Ryan ticket is going on offense attacking the president in what he did to Medicare in the context of his Health care law," Garrett noted, adding that they are using the same strategy Republicans used during the health care debate in 2010 criticizing the cost savings component of the plan.

"Notice Ryan doesn't really talk about the future aspects Medicare - switching it from a fee for service to a voucher program. He mostly talks about what he disagrees with on the president," he said.

Garrett said press coverage of Romney's church attendance on Sunday is an effort by the Romney campaign to humanize the candidate.

"He is at least acknowledging that the narrative of his story, which he's been very protective of, has to be more public, because if he doesn't it will be communicated by others who don't wish him well," Garrett said, adding that it will also be a part of the theme at the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week.