Embattles senatorial candidate Todd Akin told NBC’s Matt Lauer Wednesday that Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan personally urged him to drop his bid to take Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill’s Senate seat.
Akin, who told a local television affiliate last week that women who are victims of a “legitimate” rape are unlikely to become pregnant, said he told Ryan that he would consider the possibility of dropping out “very seriously.”
“It’s not about me. It’s about trying to do the right thing, and standing on principle,” Akin said.
The Missouri Republican announced Tuesday that he would stay in the race, despite pressure from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and a pledge from the National Republican Senatorial Committee to withhold funds.
Ryan and Akin served together on the House Budget Committee.
