Akin a no-show for cable TV interview

Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) did not show up for his scheduled interview with Piers Morgan on his show Monday night, prompting Morgan to call him a "gutless little twerp."

His absence will certainly increase the speculation over when or whether the lawmaker will bow to mounting pressure to exit the U.S. Senate race in Missouri against incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill (D).

Akin was scheduled to appear on the show after comments he made, that in the case of "legitimate rape" women don't get pregnant because of biological mechanisms that prevent such an outcome, caught fire nationwide. His comments broke on Sunday but prompted outrage from Republicans at all levels through Monday afternoon, along with mounting calls for his exit from the race. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) indicated in a conversation with Akin that, were the congressman to remain in the race, the NRSC would pull a planned $5 million investment in the state.

But Akin persisted, tweeting out his plans to remain the Republican nominee for Senate in Missouri and going on Sean Hannity's radio show to reaffirm his commitment. His appearance on Morgan's show was expected to shed further light on his decision, or perhaps offer a national platform for a withdrawal.

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