Akin and Gingrich to stump together

Former GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will appear with Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin at a joint news conference on Monday morning in Kirkwood, Mo.

Later, Gingrich, the colorful former House speaker, will attend a fundraiser for Akin in St. Louis, according to media reports.

The two Republicans have this in common: Former Gingrich aide Rick Tyler is now advising Akin’s embattled campaign.

The news conference is planned for 11:30 a.m. Monday at a train station in the St. Louis suburb.

Top Republicans have called on Akin to drop out of his race against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, believing that his remarks this summer doomed the GOP’s chances to win the seat. Akin told a local TV station that in cases of “legitimate rape,” female bodies have a way to prevent pregnancies.

At a debate Friday, McCaskill seized on his comments, labeling Akin as “extreme.”

But Akin has vowed to stay in the race, saying Missouri Republicans nominated him in the primary to take on McCaskill. The final deadline for Akin to drop out is Tuesday.

Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee are the highest-profile Republicans so far to rally to Akin’s defense.