Issa Calls for Akin to Step Down After Deadline Passes

Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) wants the embattled Republican Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin to end his senate race after he made controversial comments about abortion and rape.

The message, however, was posted after Akin let a deadline pass that would have made his exit from the campaign nearly seamless.

Akin caused a stir Sunday when he told an interviewer that that he opposes abortions for rape victims and that those cases are rare.

“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” he said.

Republicans urged him to step down.

Akin could have pulled out of the race without a court order if he had done it before 5 p.m. in the Central Time Zone Tuesday, CNN reports. Akin allowed the deadline to slip, and, in addition to the court order, his campaign would have to pay for reprinting of ballots if he chooses to drop out.

Hours after the deadline passed, Issa linked to a CBS News story in which Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney also called for Akin to exit the race.

Issa attached a statement to the link:

“Todd Akin’s statement was wrong and totally inappropriate and he continues to make attempts to defend it. Rep. Akin’s comments do not represent the views of any other Republican I know. He should immediately resign his campaign for U.S. Senate.” 

for the 49^th Congressional District seat. 

Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Issa wanted Akin to step down. Issa called for Akin to end his race for senate. It has since been corrected.