ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Todd Akin saga has a new storyline.

Republican strategist Karl Rove says he apologized to Akin, on Friday, after joking about the Missouri Senate candidate being murdered.

On Saturday, conservative political activist Phyllis Schlafly called Rove’s comment, ”the most malicious remark ever made in Republican politics,” and said he’s an embarrassment to the party. The St. Louis native and founder of the Eagle Forum said any candidate or network who hires Rove will be tarnished by his remark.

Rove and other top Republicans have urged Missouri primary winner Todd Akin to drop his challenge to Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill and let GOP leaders pick a replacement candidate, after Akin’s recent remarks about sexual assault and abortion.

Akin has since apologized.

Phyllis Schlafly said Karl Rove is the one who should resign— over what she calls an, “embarrassing, malicious, and downright stupid” remark.

Rove has not responded to Schlafly’s comments.