Reactions to Akin's Springfield Stump Prove the Race is Still Hot

A large crowd turned out for his "Common Sense Bus Tour" that stopped at the Greene County Republican Headquarters on E. Sunshine.

Rep. Akin was running late because of traffic issues, but he wasted no time explaining why he stayed in the race when so many in his party asked him to get out after controversial comments about rape.

"Because Claire has done tremendous damage to our state and to our nation," he told the crowd. "Over a long period of time, you had a chance to look at different candidates and it happened that you chose me. So when people told me, 'Well, you've got to quit and step down,' my thought was, 'I don't really think that's right.'"

Outside the Republican headquarters there was a mix of Rep. Akin supporters and protesters making their views heard to people driving by.

Working families from AFL-CIO, Missouri ProVote, Planned Parenthood held signs in opposition to the congressman, calling it a "Nonsense Tour."

Rep. Akin is challenging incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the November general election. The deadline for him to leave the race was September 25, which has come and gone.

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Also Wednesday, Rep. Akin was endorsed by Rick Santorum and Jim DeMint, who are part of a growing group of Republicans flocking back to the Senate hopeful despite urging him to bow out in August.

However, former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth said he will not be supporting Rep. Akin's continued candidacy.

"I cannot support Todd Akin," Danforth said after a fundraising event for Missouri Attorney General candidate Ed Martin. "The problem with Akin is he taints the party."

Meanwhile the Missouri Democratic Party has filed two complaints against Rep. Akin, alleging coordination between his campaign and a super PAC ran by U.S. Sen. Jim DeMitt.