Washington:
The Republican Party all but spelled out its demand on Monday for one of their own to drop out of elections after his shock comments about rape, seeing him as a liability in efforts to win control of the US Senate.
With outraged Republicans around the country rapidly abandoning their man in Missouri, and funding set to dry up, Todd Akin apologised yet vowed to stay in this year's race, further infuriating Republicans eager to end the controversy.
Two Republican US senators called on him to immediately bow out, while two more including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made it clear that Mr Akin needed to think carefully about whether his participation would help or hurt the party.
"If it was me I would do the right thing and step aside," Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told KMOX radio amid a furore that erupted after Mr Akin, a Missouri congressman, said a woman's body can block an unwanted pregnancy during what he termed a "legitimate rape."
Senator John Cornyn, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) which works to get Republicans elected and helps dole out funding, hinted strongly at what the under-fire lawmaker ought to do.
"I recognise that this is a difficult time for him, but over the next 24 hours, congressman Todd Akin should carefully consider what is best for him, his family (and) the Republican Party," Cornyn said.
Mr Akin indeed faces a Tuesday deadline to voluntarily remove himself from the ballot. After that such a move would require a court order.
A NRSC aide said Cornyn informed Akin that the party will not spend any money to help elect him to the Senate, The Washington Post reported.
Mr Akin caused a national embarrassment for the party at exactly the wrong time. Republicans are seeking to rally voters to their platforms of fiscal and social conservatism in the run up to the party convention next week.
That's when White House hopeful Mitt Romney, who quickly denounced Mr Akin's comments as "offensive," will officially become the Republican Party's nominee for the November 6 election that pits him against President Barack Obama.
But it is not only the White House that is up for grabs. One third of the members of the US Senate face re-election, and Republicans are angling to take back the majority.
Forty-seven of the 100 senators are currently Republicans, and the party needs to gain four seats to take control. Strategists said Republicans were desperate to jettison Mr Akin so that he doesn't jeopardise the party's efforts.
"Todd Akin may not realize what he's looking at is the undercarriage of a bus, but that's where he is right now," Erick Erickson, managing editor of conservative blogging site RedState.com, told CNN.
"He doesn't want to be the guy that they point to and say 'because of you we lost the Senate.'"
Should Mr Akin stay in his race against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill, his comments will no doubt be used by Democrats to paint Republicans as hostile to women.
Ms McCaskill was already using MrAkin's gaffe to her advantage, with her website highlighting the remarks and urging her supporters to "help Claire fight back by making a donation."
Senator Scott Brown, from Massachusetts -- where Romney was once governor -- and Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin both said Mr Akin should bow out, with the latter saying it would be "for the good of the nation."
And while Mr McConnell did not openly call for Mr Akin to step aside, he made his concern clear.
"What he said is just flat wrong in addition to being wildly offensive to any victim of sexual abuse," McConnell said.
"Although Representative Akin has apologised, I believe he should take time with his family to consider whether this statement will prevent him from effectively representing our party in this critical election."
But a Republican strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that "you can only do so much" to pressurize Akin, who won his party's nomination.
"At the end of the day, it's his decision."