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<p>In an interview with a St. Louis TV station in August, Akin was asked whether he favored allowing abortions in the case of rape. His response: "First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." In other words: Rape victims can secrete magical juices to prevent themselves from getting pregnant. Nearly the entire Republican establishment subsequently washed its hands of Akin's campaign, with many GOP leaders urging him to drop out of the Missouri Senate race.</p>
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<p>Above: Akin addresses members of the media in Chesterfield, Mo., on Aug. 24.</p>
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<p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/la-ol-akin-rape-20120820,0,7069365.story">Akin: Maid Marian's OB/GYN?</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/la-oe-foster-akin-sex-20120822,0,4498703.story">Akin's ideas about rape hark back to the colonial era</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/la-oe-daum-akin-abortion-rape-20120823,0,7768853.column">Akin's remarks on rape may help clarify the abortion debate</a></p>

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.)

( Sid Hastings / Associated Press / September 12, 2012 )

In an interview with a St. Louis TV station in August, Akin was asked whether he favored allowing abortions in the case of rape. His response: "First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." In other words: Rape victims can secrete magical juices to prevent themselves from getting pregnant. Nearly the entire Republican establishment subsequently washed its hands of Akin's campaign, with many GOP leaders urging him to drop out of the Missouri Senate race.

Above: Akin addresses members of the media in Chesterfield, Mo., on Aug. 24.

ALSO:

Akin: Maid Marian's OB/GYN?

Akin's ideas about rape hark back to the colonial era

Akin's remarks on rape may help clarify the abortion debate