Chris Christie: Todd Akin Shouldn't Get Republican Support (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Sunday that Republicans should not support Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) in his bid for a Senate seat after his inflammatory comments about rape and pregnancy.

Akin, who’s trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, set off a furor when he said last month that women who are victims of “legitimate rape” can physically prevent themselves from becoming pregnant. The comments surely alienated many independents and moderate Republicans, although a few high-profile GOP lawmakers have remained in Akin’s corner.

Not Christie, however. On Sunday, when asked on ABC’s "This Week" whether Republicans should support Akin, Christie flatly said, “No.” Christie previously called Akin's remark "reprehensible."

McCaskill’s seat was considered a crucial win for Republicans in the party's bid to gain control of the Senate, but Akin’s remarks led to a sharp drop in his polling numbers and made fundraising difficult.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has said it has no plans to fund Akin’s bid, with Chair Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.) saying, “I just think that this is not a winnable race.” The conservative super PAC American Crossroads has also said it would not support the congressman.

But Akin apparently still has the support of some GOP senators. According to Politico, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) plan on hosting a fundraiser for Akin in Washington this week.

As HuffPost reported last week, despite the controversy Akin still stands a viable chance of toppling McCaskill, particularly if Romney ends up routing Obama at the polls and carries Akin with him.