Piers Morgan calls Todd Akin a 'gutless little twerp'

By Meredith Blake

Aug. 21, 2012 12 AM PT

Rep. Todd Akin is living proof that there is such a thing as bad publicity, at least if you’re running for office. A few days ago, few people outside of Missouri or Washington, D.C., knew anything about the GOP senatorial candidate. Now, thanks to a few spectacularly ill-informed sentences about “legitimate rape,” Akin has become one of the most talked-about people in America — and the bane of the Republican Party.

You can add Piers Morgan to the growing list of Akin’s detractors. When the candidate backed out of an appearance on “Piers Morgan Tonight” on Monday, the host was left talking to an empty chair. But boy, did Morgan let that chair have it.

“You’re looking live at the empty chair Todd Akin was supposed to be sitting in for a live, prime-time, exclusive interview,” Morgan began, explaining to viewers that Akin had committed to appearing on the show to discuss his inflammatory remarks only to cancel at “the last possible minute.”

Morgan issued an open invitation for Akin to fulfill his obligation — or else. “If you don’t keep your promise to appear on the show, then you are what we would call in Britain a gutless little twerp.” Hey Piers: No translation necessary.