As much of the Republican Party is pressuring Rep. Todd Akin to exit the race for the U.S. Senate in Missouri, Akin is up with a new TV ad asking for forgiveness. NBC News’ First Read team predicts that Akin isn’t likely to withdraw today or tomorrow, although he might eventually—before that final Sept. 25 deadline. Why? Well, no one in the Washington establishment wanted him as the GOP nominee in the first place. Also, he probably thinks he should take longer than 24 hours to decide whether to stay or go. Still, the race is not winnable for Akin as a result of prominent Republicans having denounced him, according to First Read. In another development, the Mitt Romney campaign stated that his administration "would not oppose abortion in instances of rape." However, First Read confirmed a CNN report that the draft language on abortion in the Republican Party's official platform would outlaw abortion in all circumstances, even in cases of rape or incest.
