CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel isn’t weighing on whether Rep. Todd Akin should quit his bid for the U.S. Senate, but he says it’s clear why many in the Republican Party want the Missouri congressman to step aside.

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney today joined others in calling for Akin to end his candidacy after Akin said women’s bodies could prevent pregnancy in the case of “legitimate rape.”

LISTEN: WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore Reports

Mayor Emanuel wouldn’t comment directly on that issue, but he made it clear why many Republicans wish he would step down.

“The Republicans are scared people are going to find out that’s what he [Akin] thinks,” Emanuel said. “So, his view of women: Wrong. His view of medicine: Wrong. His view of science: Wrong.”

“And that ideology is wrong.”

The mayor said Republicans don’t want a controversy like this so close to the election.

Akin took to conservative talk radio on Tuesday and flatly refused calls to end his campaign.

Republican members of Congress from the Chicago area are joining in the outrage surrounding Akin’s comments.

Crain’s reports that representatives Judy Biggert, Bob Dold and Bobby Schilling have criticized Akin’s statements.

Schilling also has donated to charity a $2,000 contribution from Akin’s political action committee.