The comments of U.S. Senate Candidate Todd Akin last week regarding abortion in cases of rape are on the minds of many Republicans at their National Convention in Tampa, Florida. Several delegates from other states expressed frustration at Akin’s comments, but declined to be interviewed.

A banner welcomes Missouri Republicans to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, but some delegates from other states want to know, as one put it, “what’s up” with the state’s Republican Senate candidate.

The controversy also has many eyes on Missouri’s delegation. Missouri GOP Chairman David Cole says he hasn’t issued any marching orders to Missouri Republicans about how to deal with questions about the Missouri Congressman.

“You know, this delegation is full of a lot of good, hardworking Republicans and they’re working hard to elect Republicans. Obviously the attention that’s being directed toward (Congressman) Akin can be a distraction.”

Cole won’t say whether the Missouri Republican Committee will support Akin in his Senate run. He refers to polls that show the impact of last week’s remarks.

“I, like everyone else, have seen the poll numbers over the last two weeks. What they were two weeks ago versus the … especially the numbers that came out in the Post-Dispatch (Saturday). Obviously those numbers are concerning and troubling. That’s not any secret, but, we’re just going to have to deal with it.”

See our earlier story on Akin’s comments.

Akin won’t be at the RNC. Cole says he isn’t sure what he’d say to Akin if the Congressman did come to Tampa.

“What I want to do is I want to focus on Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan this week and that’s what we’re talking about. Congressman Akin, what I understood, was asked not to come to the convention by Chairman (Reince) Priebus and I was not involved in that discussion … This delegation, we’re here, we’re focused on Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.”

With many of today’s activities delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac, the Convention gets into full swing tomorrow.