"Former U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin of Missouri made provocative comments in regards to rape in 2012. While speaking to a St. Louis television station, the Republican congressman said, ""If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."" <br /><br />Akin's comments caused widespread controversy and led to several fellow Republican candidates to condemn his statement. He lost is bid for higher office."