Doug, I am of the opinion that it wasn’t a gaffe. Maybe the use of the word “legitimate” was poorly chosen - but I think that Akin really believes that a woman is biologically capable of resisting a rape-induced pregancy.
That line of thinking is still active in the pro-life community. That line of thinking is still active in the faith-based institutions that Akin has been part of.
If there was scientific basis for Akin’s statement, he should be able to back it up. But he didn’t. It was almost like he looked up at the furor that emerged after his comment and thought “Wow, you mean people don’t agree with me on this?”
I think you are right.