Republican US Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock has expressed regret a day after suggesting pregnancies caused by rape were God's plan.
The Indiana candidate made the remarks while debating his Democratic opponent.
On Wednesday, he told reporters he "abhors" rape and that if anyone "came away with any impression other than that, I regret it".
Mitt Romney's presidential campaign said he still backed Mr Mourdock, although he disagreed with his views.
Mr Mourdock's comments come two months after another Republican candidate caused a furious backlash when he said women's bodies had ways of preventing pregnancy after rape.
Mr Romney and President Barack Obama are campaigning hard for the 6 November US presidential election, in which women's votes could prove crucial.
During Tuesday night's debate with his Democratic challenger Joe Donnelly, Mr Mourdock was asked whether he believed abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest.
"I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realise that life is that gift from God," he said.
"And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Mourdock said he had been "humbled" by the reaction to his comments.
"If, because of the lack of clarity in my words, that they came away with an impression other than... life is precious and that I abhor violence and I'm confident that God abhors violence and rape... I truly regret it."
Mr Mourdock said others were trying to "twist" his comments.
There are 33 Senate seats up for grabs in next month's elections, and the Republicans are hoping to win control of the chamber.
The Indiana seat was held safely at the last election by veteran Senator Richard Lugar, but he was ousted by voters in a Republican primary in May.
Mr Mourdock is backed by conservative groups, including the Tea Party, and has pledged no compromise with Democrats if he is elected.
Romney press secretary Andrea Saul said on Wednesday: "Governor Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock, and Mr Mourdock's comments do not reflect Governor Romney's views.
"We disagree on the policy regarding exceptions for rape and incest, but still support him."
The Romney campaign says his administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape.
But Democrats have pounced on Mr Mourdock's comments.
The Democratic National Committee has released an ad reminding voters of Mr Romney's recent endorsement of Mr Mourdock.
Indiana party chairman Dan Parker, quoted by AFP news agency, said: "As a pro-life Catholic, I'm stunned and ashamed that Richard Mourdock believes God intended rape."
In August, Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin almost derailed his own campaign when he said that in cases of "legitimate" rape, "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down" and avert pregnancy.
At the time, Mr Romney and other senior Republicans urged Mr Akin to stand aside, but he refused, saying he had misspoken and asking to be forgiven.
Mr Akin lost millions of dollars of funding as a result of the gaffe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20054737
So he believes that God advocates rapists?
He might get into 'power' might he?
Sometimes I despair of politicians, any party, yours or ours.
The Indiana candidate made the remarks while debating his Democratic opponent.
On Wednesday, he told reporters he "abhors" rape and that if anyone "came away with any impression other than that, I regret it".
Mitt Romney's presidential campaign said he still backed Mr Mourdock, although he disagreed with his views.
Mr Mourdock's comments come two months after another Republican candidate caused a furious backlash when he said women's bodies had ways of preventing pregnancy after rape.
Mr Romney and President Barack Obama are campaigning hard for the 6 November US presidential election, in which women's votes could prove crucial.
During Tuesday night's debate with his Democratic challenger Joe Donnelly, Mr Mourdock was asked whether he believed abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest.
"I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realise that life is that gift from God," he said.
"And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Mourdock said he had been "humbled" by the reaction to his comments.
"If, because of the lack of clarity in my words, that they came away with an impression other than... life is precious and that I abhor violence and I'm confident that God abhors violence and rape... I truly regret it."
Mr Mourdock said others were trying to "twist" his comments.
There are 33 Senate seats up for grabs in next month's elections, and the Republicans are hoping to win control of the chamber.
The Indiana seat was held safely at the last election by veteran Senator Richard Lugar, but he was ousted by voters in a Republican primary in May.
Mr Mourdock is backed by conservative groups, including the Tea Party, and has pledged no compromise with Democrats if he is elected.
Romney press secretary Andrea Saul said on Wednesday: "Governor Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock, and Mr Mourdock's comments do not reflect Governor Romney's views.
"We disagree on the policy regarding exceptions for rape and incest, but still support him."
The Romney campaign says his administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape.
But Democrats have pounced on Mr Mourdock's comments.
The Democratic National Committee has released an ad reminding voters of Mr Romney's recent endorsement of Mr Mourdock.
Indiana party chairman Dan Parker, quoted by AFP news agency, said: "As a pro-life Catholic, I'm stunned and ashamed that Richard Mourdock believes God intended rape."
In August, Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin almost derailed his own campaign when he said that in cases of "legitimate" rape, "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down" and avert pregnancy.
At the time, Mr Romney and other senior Republicans urged Mr Akin to stand aside, but he refused, saying he had misspoken and asking to be forgiven.
Mr Akin lost millions of dollars of funding as a result of the gaffe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20054737
So he believes that God advocates rapists?
He might get into 'power' might he?
Sometimes I despair of politicians, any party, yours or ours.
