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Congressman backpedals controversial remark

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(CNN) - Six-term Republican congressman Todd Akin of Missouri, who's running for the US Senate, is backpedaling from a controversial remark about abortion. In an interview with a Saint Louis TV station, he said sexual assault rarely leads to pregnancy.

"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something. You know I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child."

Akin later issued a statement saying -- quote -- "In reviewing my off the cuff remarks, it's clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year."

He went on to say he remains opposed to abortion, even in cases of sexual assault. Akin won Missouri's Republican Senate Primary earlier this month and will face incumbent Democratic senator Claire McCaskill in November's general election.

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