Rep. Todd Akin (Mo.), is in a desperate attempt to retract his controversial statement "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down" - by releasing an ad on Tuesday morning in which he apologizes to all rape victims, but is it too late?
Todd Akin faced a barrage of criticism on Monday from within his party after saying in a Sunday interview that during rape, women's bodies can "shut that whole thing down" to avoid pregnancy, citing unnamed doctors.
Republicans have also lashed out against him, ranging from Mitt Romney to Karl Rove to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who pronounced the comments "biologically stupid" and "bizarre" to Erin Burnett on "OutFront" on Monday night.
Tuesday morning he released an ad on Politico.com in which he says "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them."
"The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy," he continues. "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."
Akin is still in the GOP race and has only until 5 p.m. Tuesday to drop out without a court order. Reports that he plans to quit remain premature, but Republicans may be putting pressure on him. The presumptive GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan called Akin to ask him to drop out of the race, according to CBS News' Chris Licht.
Watch Todd Akin's Apology Video below:
