Report: Rove Jokes About Killing Akin

Political strategist Karl Rove joked about killing Rep. Todd Akin, a quip which a representative for the embattled Missouri senatorial candidate said he found the “disturbing.”

Rove made the remark at a private fund-raising breakfast on Thursday, the last day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Bloomberg Businessweek reports. Among the crowd of about 70 top GOP donors, Rove said jokingly: “We should sink Todd Akin. If he’s found mysteriously murdered, don’t look for my whereabouts!”

Rove, the tactician behind George W. Bush’s presidential election, was trying to make a point about Akin endangering the party’s chances of winning control of the U.S. Senate, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican leaders have distanced themselves from Akin ever since the six-term House member made comments Aug. 20 about “legitimate” rape and abortion.

“Given the current FBI investigation of threats against Congressman Akin and call for acts of violence and rape against his family and staff, joking as to the potential murder of congressman Akin is deeply disturbing,” Steve Taylor, an Akin aide, told KMOX-TV in St. Louis, USA Today reports.

Akin, who was urged to skip the RNC, is facing Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, a top Republican target.

Five other candidates are interested in replacing Akin on the ballot, Rove said at the breakfast.