Sen. Johnson calls on Rep. Akin to drop out of Missouri race

MADISON (AP) -- Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling on Missouri U.S. Rep. Todd Akin to drop out of the Senate race in that state following comments Akin made about rape.

Akin said in an interview Sunday that women's bodies are able to prevent pregnancies in cases of what he called ``a legitimate rape.''

Johnson issued a statement Monday calling the comments ``reprehensible and inexcusable.''

Johnson says gaining a Republican majority in the Senate and fixing the country's problems are more important than any one person's political ambitions. He says Akin ``should do the right thing for the nation and step aside today, so Missouri Republicans can put forth a candidate that can win in November.''

Akin is running against Democratic incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

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