Todd Akin in Reuters

On Abortion: Resisted stepping aside after "legitimate rape" comment

Republican Todd Akin and incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill debated on Thursday, but did not discuss Akin's "legitimate rape" remark that drew national attention to their US Senate race. Akin's comment in August that women have biological defenses against pregnancies that might be caused by "legitimate rapes," which he later retracted, drew widespread rebukes even from members of his own party. The 6-term congressman resisted requests that he step aside for another candidate to take on McCaskill. Source: Reuters on 2012 Missouri Senate debate Oct 19, 2012

On Civil Rights: Women's pay should be left to discretion of employers

McCaskill said women in Akin's employ the past 12 years had earned an average of 23.4 percent less than men. "He supports the boss being able to decide whether or not you get paid less simply because you are a woman," she said.

Akin did not respond directly to McCaskill's assertion, but has said he believes pay should be left to the discretion of employers. Akin said McCaskill must share the blame for the slumping economy and growing national debt.

Source: Reuters on 2012 Missouri Senate debate Oct 19, 2012

The above quotations are from Media coverage of political races in Reuters News Service. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of political races in Reuters News Service. Click here for other excerpts by Todd Akin. Click here for a profile of Todd Akin.
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