Todd Akin to appear on ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’; Update: interview pulled; Obama campaign co-chair: Akin ‘real position’ of GOP

Minn. Rep. Todd Akin has been announced as a guest on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight.”

Earlier in the day, CNN had tweeted that Claire McCaskill would share her reaction to Akin’s comments on the show. However, the link embedded in the tweet appears to be broken.

She says she was "stunned" by the comments of @RepToddAkin. Tonight at 9, @clairecmc elaborates for @piersmorgan: on.cnn.com/Rwuqsa #CNN—
Piers Morgan Tonight (@PiersTonight) August 20, 2012

Update: Piers Morgan opened his show speaking to an empty chair and referring to Akin as a “gutless little twerp.” The McCaskill interview was also pulled.

Akin is a no-show on Piers Morgan. CNN broadcasts image of empty chair. #election2012 http://t.co/bZkaMewR—
Tim Hanrahan (@TimJHanrahan) August 21, 2012

So, instead of going on CNN where he could explain himself, Akin decided to stay home and let Jan Schakowsky do it for him.—
Matt Cover (@MattCover) August 21, 2012

In Akin’s absence, Morgan turned to Obama campaign national co-chair and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who followed Michael Moore’s lead in calling Akin’s comments — which he retracted and which were condemned by the Romney campaign — the “real” position of the Republican party.

"The real positions of the Republican party have now been unveiled." @janschakowsky
on the Republican party after @ToddAkin's comments.—
Piers Morgan Tonight (@PiersTonight) August 21, 2012

Here we go…Jan Schakowsky on Piers Morgan saying Todd Akin and Paul Ryan "two peas in a pod"…please @toddakin drop out of the race!—
Sarahtonin (@Sarahtonin0) August 21, 2012

Rep. Schakowsky toes party line: "Access" to abortion = everyone pays for your poor decision. Nice.—
Katie McHugh (@k_mcq) August 21, 2012

Schakowsky on Piers whining she hasn't "heard Republicans criticize their own positions…with regard to reproductive rights." #moron—
Its That Bri Guy (@ItsThatBriGuy) August 21, 2012

Follow @twitchyteam