Sarah Palin quoted renowned political strategist Kenny Rogers by suggesting that Senate candidate Todd Akin should "know when to fold 'em" and abandon his campaign.
Palin joined many fellow Republicans — including presidential candidate Mitt Romney — who have called on the Missouri Republican to drop out since his claim that women rarely get pregnant from "legitimate rape."
Palin said a third-party candidate might be a better choice than Akin, who has apologized for his comments and said he was wrong. Despite the apology, the remarks have remained one of the country's top political stories as Democrats have seized on them to suggest Republicans are unsympathic to women.
Also read: Kirk Cameron Rushes to Akin's Defense
“He’s inviting himself back into this general election that’s coming up, and he’s going to get defeated. And that’s unfortunate,” the former Alaska governor said Tuesday during “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” on Fox News. "That is why we have to think pragmatically about this, and we have to think, well, what’s another option? Is a third-party another option? If it is, let’s go. The status quo has got to go."
See also: Watch Akin's "Rape" Apology Ad (Video)
A recent poll indicated that even after his comments, Akin remained locked in a close race with Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. He missed a Tuesday deadline to drop out of the race.
"Bless his heart, I don’t want to pile on Todd Akin, because in some respects, I understand what he’s trying to say here, in standing on principle, that he doesn’t want to be perceived as a quitter, but you got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em," Palin said. "Missouri is a must-win state."