Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Sen. McCain call for Rep. Akin to step aside; Update: Blunt, Talent, Ashcroft and Danforth join in; McConnell favors withdrawal

The junior senator from New Hampshire has joined the growing chorus in asking Rep. Akin to drop out of the Missouri U.S. Senate race.

Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) are both calling on Todd Akin to end his Missouri Senate bid. #MOSEN

— Z.L.S. (@ZLS_Politics) August 21, 2012

Piling on a pile? RT @jamiedupree: GOP PILES ON – Sen Kelly Ayotte R-NH: "Akin's comments are totally offensive..Akin should step aside now"

— The Stupendous Yappi ???????????? (@NASCARNAC) August 21, 2012

https://twitter.com/BrentTeichman/status/237941024293523456

GOP PILES ON – Sen Kelly Ayotte R-NH: "Akin's comments are totally offensive…Akin should step aside now"

— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) August 21, 2012

Twitchy will continue to monitor this story.

Update:

Blunt, Talent, Ashcroft, and Danforth (1 current & 3 former Missouri senators) tell Akin to exit the race https://t.co/Zchw1Oet

— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) August 21, 2012

RT @meredithshiner: Blunt, Ashcroft, Bond, Danforth, Talent issue joint statement calling on @ToddAkin to get out of the race. #MOSen

— Mike O'Brien (@mpoindc) August 21, 2012

Update:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is also calling on Akin to withdraw:

mitch mcconnell is being even more direct now telling akin to step aside. "sorry is not sufficient"

— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) August 21, 2012