Todd Akin Downplays ‘Rape’ Question In Debate, Doesn’t Think It’s Important

Representative Todd Akin will never outrun his controversial comments on “legitimate rape” months ago. For proof, look no further than the US Senate debate that took place Friday.

The Republican representative deflected a question about his controversial remarks, regarding it as tangential to the real issues that should be addressed in his race against incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, reports CNN.

“I’ve answered this question repeatedly,” Akin said. “I don’t believe this election overall is about talk.”

He’s not wrong, but his “legitimate rape” remarks are still a stone he himself created that is proving too heavy for him to lift. Though McCaskill’s seat was previously considered at risk, she now seems to be a shoe-in for another term.

“This election’s going to be quite a contrast for Missourians,” McCaskill said. “But not because we’re at opposite ends. I’m right in the middle, it’s just he is so far out on the fringe, and that’s where the contrast comes.”

She said that Akin’s comments were a “window to his views for Missourians.”

“I believe his view is extreme and out of the mainstream,” she continued, adding, “It’s not what he said that’s the problem, it’s what he believes that’s the problem.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Akin’s “rape” deflection follows a rather unfortunate gaffe yesterday on the Representative’s website. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a photo showing Akin, his wife, Lulli, and two other women, was posted on his campaign website with a headline that said, “I’m a women [sic] and I support Todd.”

Ouch.

Do you think that Todd Akin stands a popsicle’s chance in hell of winning the election?