Todd Akin, the Missouri GOP Senate candidate best known for saying that “legitimate rape” rarely leads to a woman becoming pregnant, held a news conference Friday. Considering he’s already stated on numerous occasions that he’s staying in the race, there was some speculation that perhaps, you know, he was holding one to make a different announcement (i.e., dropping out).

But, no. To the disappointment of many Republicans, Akin just wanted to make sure it was crystal clear that he’s still running. “I may not be the favorite candidate of some people within the Republican establishment,” Akin understated, “but the voters made their decision.”

So to reiterate once more: Todd Akin is not quitting the Missouri Senate race. Somewhere Claire McCaskill, once thought to be among the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents up for re-election in the Senate, is probably smiling.

Obligatory clip of Todd Akin’s news conference is below.

— Posted by Tracy Bloom.