Should Akin Resign For Rape Remark?

Senator Scott Brown has called on Missouri Representative Todd Akin to resign after Akin made comments Sunday that implied women who are raped could shut down their reproductive organs.

“As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin’s comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong,” Brown, a fellow Republican, said in a statement. “There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking. Not only should he apologize, but I believe Rep. Akin’s statement was so far out of bounds that he should resign the nomination for US Senate in Missouri.”

Brown may be the first prominent Republican to call for Akin’s resignation from the race, according to the Boston Globe.

Both Brown and his Senate rival, Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren, had earlier today condemned Akin’s comments that pregnancy among rape victims is "really rare."

When asked his opinion on abortions in the case of rape during a TV interview Sunday, Akin, a Republican from Missouri who is running for a seat in the Senate, said the following:

"It seems to me, 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. But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child."

Brown, a pro-choice Republican, called for Akin to apologize in a tweet Monday morning.

"I found Todd Akin’s comments about rape victims outrageous and way over the line," the message, sent at 6:51 a.m., said. "He needs to apologize."

Just six minutes later, Warren, the Democrat challenger, also took to Twitter.

"I'm disgusted by Rep Akin's remarks about rape," the message said. "The GOP agenda for women isn't just wrong. It's dangerous."

Akin has since said he "misspoke."

What do you think - should Rep. Atkins withdraw from the race? Share your views with other readers below.