Kirk Cameron Defends Todd Akin After "Legitimate Rape" Remarks

Controversial actor speaks out in support of the embattled Republican Senate candidate, saying that the politician is "clearly is a pro-life advocate, and for that I respect him"

By Alexis L. Loinaz Aug 21, 2012 6:04 PMTags

You gotta give it to Kirk Cameron: The guy is certainly not afraid to speak his mind.

Five months after inciting a public uproar for calling homosexuality "detrimental and destructive," the actor is once again nabbing headlines for standing by his conservative views.

The 41-year-old has rushed to the defense of controversial Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin, who's come under fire for using the phrase "legitimate rape" in an interview about his anti-abortion stance.

During an appearance on CNN Tuesday, Cameron said, "[Akin] clearly is a pro-life advocate, and for that I respect him."

He also added that the 65-year-old politician "said that he misspoke and that he misphrased something and that he apologized."

Ultimately, Cameron believes Akin's remarks should be taken in the context of his larger political and ideological views.

"I'm the kind of person that would like to be evaluated by my entire career and my entire life, not two words that I would misspeak and later apologize for," the actor said. "He's in a tough spot."

Akin has faced increasing pressure from his fellow Republicans to bow out of the race, with Mitt Romney calling his remarks "insulting, inexcusable and, frankly, wrong."

The Missouri congressman, however, is holding his ground, and on Tuesday he announced plans to continue with his beleaguered Senate campaign.