POLL: Should Todd Akin Step Down from Senate Race?

This week, Sen. Todd Akin's controversial comments regarding why he thought rape victims would not get pregnant made headlines: 

“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

Akin apologized in various interviews this week saying he misspoke when he said "legitimate rape" and was misinformed on the idea a woman's body could shut down a pregnancy. 

The Huffington Post reports Akin's comments could affect other races in Missouri, a swing state, such as the competitive race for lieutenant governor and secretary of state. 

Several groups, including the Republican Senatorial Committee, now refuse to fund Akin's campaign, according to the Huffington Post.

Republican party leaders, including Mitt Romney, have asked for Akin to step down, but as of Tuesday, Akin refused, according to the New York Times. He told Today show's Matt Lauer during a Wednesday interview Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan called and asked him to step down.  

Lauer asked Akin during the interview:

So if you find it hard to articulate your ideas on a sensitive issue like this and then you get the medical facts just plain wrong, why should you go to the senate and represent your state in debates over some of these very same issues? 

Akin replied:

"Well, the fact of the matter is I think anyone who does a lot of public speaking can make a mistake ... But the idea of standing on principle and trying to do the right thing when you make a mistake, you say you are sorry. You put the politics aside, and you do what's the right thing." 

Akin has until Sept. 25 to seek a court order to withdraw his name from the ballot, according to Politico.com

Do you think Akin should step down from the Senate race in Missouri?