Embattled Rep. Todd Akin said today he is "standing on principle" by staying in the Missouri Senate race, despite pleas from top Republicans to quit because of controversial remarks about rape and abortion.Akin, making the rounds on morning talk shows, also confirmed for the first time that he was urged by GOP vice presidential contender Paul Ryan to stand aside.
STORY: GOP tries to shift focus from abortion
Republicans have high hopes of unseating Democrat Claire McCaskill and taking control of the U.S. Senate.
"He advised me that it would be good for me to step down," Akin said on NBC's Today show about the call from Ryan. "I told him that I was going to be looking at this very seriously, trying to weigh all the different points on this."
Akin told Today show host Matt Lauer: "It's not about me. It's about doing the right thing and standing on principle."
