FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2009 file photo, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., responds to questions during an interview with Associated Press reporters in Denver. Missouri congressman and Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin’s comments on rape are playing a role in more than dozen House races in battleground states. Coffman's Democratic opponent, Joe Mikosi, began tying his opponent Coffman to Akin within hours of learning about his comments this past Sunday. Coffman responded by calling for Akin to leave the race and decrying his rape comments as “wrong, inappropriate and hurtful to women across the country.” (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)