Indiana Lawmakers Distance Themselves from Akin Comment

Two Indiana congressmen who backed legislation that would have redefined what rape is are spurning Missouri Republican Todd Akin over his contention that women's bodies can protect them from pregnancy if they're victims of "a legitimate rape."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence and Democratic Senate candidate Joe Donnelly both said Monday they disagreed with Akin's remarks but stopped short of saying he should quit the race.

Donnelly, Pence and Akin joined most House lawmakers last year on a bill that would have cut off federal aid for abortion-related services and established a new category of  "forcible rape.'' That language was later removed from the legislation.

Democrats Andre Carson and Pete Visclosky were the only members of the Indiana delegation to oppose the bill in its initial form.