Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, described the comment as "outrageous and demeaning to women" in a statement and called on Romney to take down his ad for Mourdock.

Democratic groups, including the DNC and a Democratic super PAC, put out web videos Wednesday morning to highlight Mourdock's remarks.

Rep. Joe Walsh, another tea party-backed Republican running for re-election in Illinois, questioned last week the necessity of allowing abortions if a mother's life is at risk, saying such an exemption to an abortion ban was simply a tool by pro-choice activists.

Speaking after a debate with his opponent, Walsh seemed to suggest medical advances made dangerous pregnancies rare.

"This is an issue that opponents of life throw out there to make us look unreasonable," Walsh said. "There's no such exception as life of the mother, and as far as health of the mother, same thing, with advances in science and technology. Health of the mother has been, has become a tool for abortions any time under any reason."

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly disputed Walsh's position.

"Contrary to the inaccurate statements made yesterday by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), abortions are necessary in a number of circumstances to save the life of a woman or to preserve her health," reads a response posted on the ACOG's website on October 19, 2012. "These inaccurate comments are yet another reason why The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (The College) message to politicians is unequivocal: Get out of our exam rooms."