Akin to Skip GOP Convention

But he still insists he will stay in the race
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 22, 2012 9:35 AM CDT

George Stephanopoulos interviews Todd Akin.
(ABC News)

Todd Akin will honor Reince Priebus' request that he skip the Republican National Convention, he told George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America today. When asked if he'd also heed GOP leaders' calls to exit the race, he left the door open the barest crack, but appeared adamant about staying in. "I'm never going to say everything that could possibly happen," he said. But "It makes me uncomfortable to think that the party bosses are going to dictate who runs as opposed to the election process."

"A number of us ran in this Republican primary. Each of us had our messages. I was outspent by a large amount in terms of media," he said. "The people of Missouri chose me to be their candidate." When Stephanopoulos tried to get Akin to explain his "legitimate rape" comments, he said, "The word 'legitimate' doesn't ever have a good reason to be standing next to rape. There is no rape that is legitimate." (More Todd Akin stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X