Piers Morgan Calls Rep. Todd Akin a "gutless little twerp" for No Show; Akin Stays in Race

U.S. Representative Todd Akin poses in this undated handout provided courtesy of the House of Representatives August 20, 2012. The Republican challenger for a hotly contested U.S. Senate seat in Missouri said on August 19, 2012 that he "misspoke" when he said women have biological defenses to prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape," making legal abortion rights unnecessary.
(Photo : Reuters)

Broadcast journalist Piers Morgan joined the anti-Akin bandwagon last night after the Senate nominee from Missouri cancelled his appearance on Morgan's show.

Morgan, host of the CNN show "Piers Morgan Tonight," called Akin (R-Mo.) out for cancelling his appearance at the "last possible minute." The congressman was scheduled to appear after his "legitimate rape" comments stirred a wave of backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

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Showing viewers an empty chair where Akin would have sat during the interview, Morgan invited Akin to fulfill his commitment to appear. The host then added, "If you don't keep your promise to appear on the show, then you are what we would call in Britain a gutless little twerp."

Despite repeated calls for him to step down from the Senate race after the inflammatory comments, Akin has refused to give up his bid. He issued an apology shortly after his interview on KTVI-TV in St. Louis on Sunday, stating he "misspoke" but that he maintained his opinions on abortion.

"I recognize that abortion, and particularly in the case of rape, is a very emotionally charged issue.  But I believe deeply in the protection of all life and I do not believe that harming another innocent victim is the right course of action."

Several key Republican politicians, including the Romney-Ryan campaign have denounced Akin's comments. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney told the National Review Online, "Congressman's Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong. Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive."

The New York Times also reports that Republicans have already removed all support for Akin, including $5 million in advertisements from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

On Tuesday, Akin confirmed that he would be staying in the race for the Senate seat.  "We are going to continue in this race for U.S. Senate," Akin told The Mike Huckabee Show, according to Reuters.