Todd Akin: 'The Legitimate Doesn't Apply To Rape'

Akin: 'The Legitimate Doesn't Apply To Rape'

Former Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) spoke with HuffPost Live on Friday about his infamous comments about "legitimate rape," saying people misunderstood the meaning of the phrase.

"The legitimate doesn't apply to rape," Akin said.

Akin said "legitimate rape" and "legitimate case of rape" are terms used by law enforcement in his home state of Missouri. HuffPost Live host Marc Lamont Hill pointed out that many law enforcement experts claim they've never heard the term.

Akin also shared what he learned from the controversy that came after he said victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant while campaigning in 2012.

“No male [running for election] should ever use the word ‘woman,’ or ‘rape,’ or any of those topics," Akin said.

Akin is currently making the media rounds to promote his book, Firing Back.

Watch Akin's comments on HuffPost Live above.

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