ROLLA, Mo. -- Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin compared the recent debate performance of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill to that of a "wildcat," saying she is worried about her reelection chances.
McCaskill came on strong during their first debate last week, criticizing Akin's earlier suggestion that pregnancy "rarely" results from "legitimate rape" because women's bodies have a way of shutting down conception. McCaskill said his views were extreme and out of the mainstream.
"The first two minutes, wow, it's like somebody let a wildcat out of the cage," Akin told a small group of supporters and activists as his statewide bus tour stopped Wednesday evening in Rolla, a rural college town between St. Louis and Springfield. "She was just furious and attacking in every different direction, which was a little bit of a surprise to us."
Akin suggested that McCaskill took an aggressive approach in her opening segment because she was worried about her reelection chances.
The McCaskill campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday, Akin suggested McCaskill had acted more "ladylike" when she first ran for the Senate six years ago, according to the Kansas City Star.
The chair of Democratic campaign efforts, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, said Akin's comments about McCaskill reflect the Republican Party's approach toward women.
"Todd Akin is at it again with another comment that's demeaning to women and offensive to all," Murray said in a statement. "What's truly astonishing is that the national party embraced Todd Akin yesterday and now refuses to repudiate his statement. Unless the national party condemns Todd Akin and his latest comments, every Republican candidate in the country will be held accountable for their support of of Akin's beliefs and sentiments."
Top Republicans, including Mitt Romney, the party's presidential nominee, have said Akin should abandon his candidacy. The party is struggling to close the gender gap among female voters that favors President Obama.
But as the GOP's chances dim for picking up the seats needed to win majority control of the Senate, top conservative Republicans have announced they would back Akin with endorsements and financial support.
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Twitter: @LisaMascaroinDC
McCaskill came on strong during their first debate last week, criticizing Akin's earlier suggestion that pregnancy "rarely" results from "legitimate rape" because women's bodies have a way of shutting down conception. McCaskill said his views were extreme and out of the mainstream.
"The first two minutes, wow, it's like somebody let a wildcat out of the cage," Akin told a small group of supporters and activists as his statewide bus tour stopped Wednesday evening in Rolla, a rural college town between St. Louis and Springfield. "She was just furious and attacking in every different direction, which was a little bit of a surprise to us."
Akin suggested that McCaskill took an aggressive approach in her opening segment because she was worried about her reelection chances.
The McCaskill campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday, Akin suggested McCaskill had acted more "ladylike" when she first ran for the Senate six years ago, according to the Kansas City Star.
The chair of Democratic campaign efforts, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, said Akin's comments about McCaskill reflect the Republican Party's approach toward women.
"Todd Akin is at it again with another comment that's demeaning to women and offensive to all," Murray said in a statement. "What's truly astonishing is that the national party embraced Todd Akin yesterday and now refuses to repudiate his statement. Unless the national party condemns Todd Akin and his latest comments, every Republican candidate in the country will be held accountable for their support of of Akin's beliefs and sentiments."
Top Republicans, including Mitt Romney, the party's presidential nominee, have said Akin should abandon his candidacy. The party is struggling to close the gender gap among female voters that favors President Obama.
But as the GOP's chances dim for picking up the seats needed to win majority control of the Senate, top conservative Republicans have announced they would back Akin with endorsements and financial support.
Follow Politics Now on Twitter and Facebook
[email protected]
Twitter: @LisaMascaroinDC