It's sort of like the USA's "legitimate invasions" of the past few decades, I think...only on an individual basis rather on than a national basis. Invasion, after all, IS rape. It's rape of an entire nation rather than an individual. Excuses can always be found by the politicians who do it.

But it's clear from the context that Mr Akin was using the word "legitimate" to mean "actual"...not to mean "rightful". Nevertheless, he was a real dummy to say what he did, and his point was not a good or useful one in any case. Accordingly, he will now be hounded for it, and the Democratic Party will rejoice while the Republican Party attempts damage control. SSDD.