Todd Akin: ‘I used the wrong words … for that I apologize’

The embattled Senate candidate who made dubious claims about ‘legitimate rape’ released a video ad apologizing for his statement as his GOP colleagues call for him to drop out of his Senate race.

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Specifically, he wants Missouri voters to forgive him for saying female bodies can somehow block a pregnancy from a “legitimate rape.”

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate candidate made his plea for forgiveness in a 30-second ad that was given to Politico. In the video, Akin uses clear and direct language in his appeal to voters:

“Rape is an evil act,” he begins. “I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize.”

The father of two daughters concludes the ad by saying: “The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy; the truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.”

According to Politico, the spot was produced by the Republican media-consulting firm Strategy Group for Media, which counts Akin as a client.

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