Todd Akin Defies Mitt Romney and Stays in Missouri Senate Race

Todd Akin Won't Quit Missouri Senate Race After Rape Remark

On Monday, Sens. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Texas's John Cornyn, head of the National Republican Senate Committee, urged Akin to step aside. Additional pressure came from Karl Rove's powerful Crossroads GPS Super PAC which said it will pull all of its money out of Missouri if Akin stays in and the Tea Party Express which released a statement calling for Akin to "step down."

GOP Pressures Todd Akin to Quit Senate Race Watch Video

Rep. Todd Akin Remains in Race Despite GOP Outcry Watch Video

Rape Is Rape: Obama Criticizes Rep. Akin's Comments Watch Video

Akin tried to salvage his candidacy today by releasing a video asking voters for "forgiveness."

"Rape is an evil act" and "the mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold," Akin tells voters in the video.

"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin's statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," the campaign said yesterday, before dialing up the rhetoric.

Earlier today, the Republican National Convention approved a plank in their platform advocating for the passage of the "Human Life Amendment," which would ban abortion in all circumstances, even in cases of rape or incest.

It employs the same language that was used in the party platform in 2004 and 2008.