Akin Claims He's Staying in the Race, But Reports Say Otherwise

Todd Akin might be willing to debase himself to escape his recent controversial statement about "legitimate rape," but when it comes to sticking around in his race, he is apparently as stubborn as a mule.

Faced with the deluge of negative reactions to his statement, Akin has moved very quickly to try and recover, reportedly cutting an ad that will run apologizing for the statement, and also going on former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's radio show to issue an apology.

Akin claims he holds "deep empathy...for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year." Still, he's not backing out, as his Twitter feed shows.

I am in this race to win. We need a conservative Senate. Help me defeat Claire by donating: secure.campaignsolutions.com/toddakin/donat… #mosen

— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 20, 2012

However, it may be too little too late. Politico reports that high ranking Missouri Republicans are working aggressively to get Akin to drop out of the race, citing concerns about his viability. Akin's fellow Senate candidates Scott Brown and Denny Rehberg have practically disowned Akin, as has freshman Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. All four Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates have condemned him. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has announced its intentions not to fund him if he stays in the race. Akin is a pariah in his own party.

Faced with this status, one wonders if Akin will reconsider his decision to stay in the race.

UPDATE: Akin's apology on Mike Huckabee's show is now on Youtube. You can watch both parts of it here:

The apology notwithstanding, GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney is calling on Rep. Akin to take 24 hours to "reconsider" his campaign. Whether this appeal from the standard bearer of his own party will register with Akin remains to be seen.

However, if the following Tweet from RedState's Erick Erickson is any guide, he may not need the full 24 hours:

Todd Akin will withdraw from the MO Senate race.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 20, 2012

nbsp; Another "senior Republican source" has told Buzzfeed's Ben Smith that Akin is taking "concrete steps" to withdraw from the race. Other sources close to Akin deny the report.