Missouri’s five most recent Republican United States Senators have joined together in pressuring Congressman Todd Akin to pull out of his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Former Senator Danforth says Akin’s comments on abortion and rape are a distraction, and has made it impossible to win the GOP seat.

Senators Blunt, Ashcroft, Bond, Danforth, and Talent have issued a joint statement calling Akin’s remarks about rape last weekend “totally unacceptable.” They say Akin’s continued presence on the ticket does not “serve the national interest.”

Danforth says Akin got the party into the woods with his statements … and the Democrats will do their best to keep it there.

Danforth tells Missourinet abortion has been a devisive issue since 1973 and “we’ve all lived with it for a while now” …. but the bigger issue voters should be concerned about is the economy.

AUDIO: Jessica Machetta interviews Sen. John Danforth (6:46)