Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and longtime Arizona Sen. John McCain are two influential Republicans still backing Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock after his controversial remarks about rape. McCain initially withdrew his support of Mourdock, but then said he was satisfied with the embattled Republican’s “apology.” Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a rising star in the GOP, has also voiced his support for Mourdock. (Read more)

What Gender Gap? A surprising new poll reveals that Mitt Romney, the man who touted his “binders full of women” during one of the presidential debates and who represents the party that has said all kinds of idiotic things about rape, has wiped out Barack Obama’s 16 percentage-point advantage among female voters. The Associated Press-GfK poll also shows Romney with a two-point edge over the president. (Read more)

Powell’s Pick: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed President Obama’s re-election bid during an appearance on CBS’ “This Morning” on Thursday. “I voted for him in 2008, and I plan to stick with him in 2012,” Powell, a Republican, said. “I’ll be voting for he and for Vice President Joe Biden next month.” (Read more)

Backing Off: A Pennsylvania lawmaker has withdrawn a controversial bill that would have cut welfare benefits to low-income mothers unless they proved their babies were a result of rape. Said GOP state Rep. RoseMarie Swanger: “The [bill’s] language was not at all what I requested. After all the concerned contacts I got, I’m pulling that and working on something better next year.” (Read more)

Risks of Re-Election: Mike White, owner of industrial equipment firm Rite-Hite, is joining the ranks of CEOs who are attempting to scare their employees into voting for Mitt Romney. White warned his 1,400 workers in an email that if Obama is elected, “on top of the burden of having your personal taxes increase dramatically, which they will, your RSP contributions and healthy retirement are also at risk.” The billionaire Koch brothers, David Siegel and Arthur Allen have also sent out notices to employees pointing out the consequences they could face if the president is re-elected. (Read more)

Video of the Day: Tina Fey gave an impassioned speech at the Center for Reproductive Rights Gala on Wednesday night in which she stressed the need for women to have “full and equal rights” when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.