President Obama spoke to reporters and answered questions at the White House daily briefing. Topics included Syria’s potential use of chemical or biological weapons against rebel forces in the country, Mitt Romney’s tax returns, the recent increase of violence in Afghanistan, the economy, and a controversial campaign commercial produced by a super political action committee in support of the Obama campaign. In reference to U.S. Senate candidate and Representative Todd Akin’s (R-MO) remarks about “legitimate rape,” he said the “views expressed were offensive” and that “rape is rape.” President Obama replied when asked if the congressman should drop out of the race, “He was nominated by the Republicans in Missouri. I’ll let them sort that out.”