Romney retains lead in Missouri despite Akin controversy

Republicans are concerned that Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) comments on rape and abortion could hurt the GOP's chances in Missouri, but two new presidential polls on Friday show Mitt Romney seems to be retaining his lead in the state.

The two polls, released on Friday and late Thursday, show conflicting results in the presidential race in Missouri.

The conservative-leaning pollster Rasmussen found President Obama ahead by one percentage point, though well within the 4 point margin of error with 47 percent to Romney's 46. 

But Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling (PPP) found Romney way ahead by 10, with 52 percent to Obama's 42 and a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

According to RealClearPolitics' polling average, that still puts Romney ahead in Missouri by almost 5 percentage points, since most polls prior to Akin's comments on Sunday showed Romney ahead in the state. 

The two polls are the only presidential polls conducted so far in Missouri in the week since Akin said during a local TV news interview that few women get pregnant from "legitimate rape" because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Both are one-day polls, with PPP's conducted Aug. 20 and Rasmussen's on Wednesday. The Akin controversy has largely dictated the headlines throughout this week, meaning voters in Missouri might still be in the process of deciding whether it influences their vote.

Another Rasmussen poll conducted on Wednesday was under fire from Democrats. The poll showed Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) leading Akin by double-digits, leading Democrats to claim the GOP-leaning firm is a "tool of the Republican establishment.

Romney has condemned Akin's remarks as "insulting, inexcusable and, frankly, wrong."

— This story was updated at 11:40 a.m.

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