RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—Governor Bob McDonnell said Todd Akin’s comments on rape were insulting and wrong.
Gov. McDonnell spent Wednesday in Missouri, a stateof current contention for the Republican Party because Akin, the Missouri Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is staying in the race despite his controversial comments about rape and pregnancy.
“If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” said Akin, in an interview on the Jaco Report.
Since that comment, GOP leaders have demanded Akin shut down his campaign, including Mitt Romney. Gov. Bob McDonnell, who said Akin’s comments were offensive, insulting and flat wrong according to McDonnell’s spokesperson.
“The Republican party establishment is trying to disown Akin as quickly as they can,” said CBS 6 Political Analyst, Dr. Bob Holsworth.
Holsworth told us, it's best that McDonnell keep clear of Akin and that's exactly what he's doing. The governor’s spokesperson says McDonnell is only in Missouri to attend a fundraiser for the Republican gubernatorial candidate.
However, it may be tough for the governor to avoid. "Clearly the Democrats want to keep this issue front and center,” said Dr. Holsworth.
McDonnell may be steering clear of Akin while in Missouri, but, he can't totally avoid the issue, said Holsworth.
Holsworth said that after the governor's role in this year's General Assembly session, Akin’s comments could make it tougher for the GOP to gain ground in Virginia.
“What Democrats are going to try and do is to, in some ways, link Akin’s comments to all the issues that arose about the ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound,“ said Holsworth.
