A new poll shows Republican Todd Akin with a lead over incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill in Missouri, despite controversial remarks he made earlier this year.

In August, Akin's comments about "legitimate rape" cost him a wide lead and threatened to overshadow the GOP convention.

Akin was responding to an interview question on whether he supported abortion for women who had been raped.

"It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," he said.

Akin publicly apologized in a video for that comment, saying "The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."

Still, Republicans cut off funds to his campaign and publicly called on him to drop out of the race.

Now, a Republican poll has Akin leading McCaskill 49 to 45 percent. Mccaskill does maintain a 7-point advantage with women but Akin has a 16-point lead among men.

The dwindling gap may convince national Republicans to open up their coffers in hopes of retaking control of the Senate.