GOP Rep. Todd Akin: "Legitimately Raped" Women Don't Get Pregant

The blogosphere imploded today when Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) appeared on a talk show to declare that women who are "legitimately raped" do not get pregnant. And therefore abortion should be illegal in all cases. Akin's name and "legitimate rape" are now top trending topics on Twitter. Even the vicious teabaggers at Twitchy are appalled. Akin is running to unseat Sen. Clair McCaskill.

A 1996 study by the American Journal of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found “rape-related pregnancy occurs with significant frequency” and is “a cause of many unwanted pregnancies” — an estimated “32,101 pregnancies result from rape each year.” In a tweet, McCaskill said she was “stunned” by Akin’s comments. Akin is perhaps the boldest among a crop of conservative 2012 nominees who could hamper GOP efforts to take back the Senate in the fall. Akin has called for an end to the school-lunch program and a total ban on the morning-after pill.

Akin is leading McCaskill by as more than eight points in the most recent polls. This may change that, don't you think?

UPDATE: Surprising no one, the lone teabagger rushing to Akin's defense is Breitbart editor Dana Loesch, who has fired out multiple tweets telling GOP flacks to back off.