FILE - This Aug. 10, 2012 file photo shows Todd Akin, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator from Missouri taking questions after speaking at the Missouri Farm Bureau candidate interview and endorsement meeting in Jefferson City, Mo. Akin fought to salvage his Senate campaign Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, even as members of his own party turned against him and a key source of campaign funding was cut off in outrage over the Missouri congressman's comments that women are able to prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape." (AP Photo/St. Louis Pos-Dispatch, Christian Gooden)

August 23, 2012 -

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on Wednesday became the latest Republican to suggest that Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin should have dropped out of the race over comments he made about rape. "I think his comments were distasteful and unfortunate and I think the decision he’s made (to stay in the Senate race) probably endangers the ability of Republicans to win that seat and Republicans to take the majority in the Senate," Rubio said while speaking to reporters after a speech in Palm Beach County, according to a report in the Palm Beach Post.. "So I would join other voices out there from Sarah Palin to Mitch McConnell who have advised him to put his country ahead of his candidacy." Republican leaders, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, have called on Akin to leave the Senate race against Democrat Claire McCaskill since he said that the bodies of victims of "legitimate rape" can naturally avoid pregnancy. Akin has apologized in multiple interviews, but has said he intended to remain in the race.