The conservative outside-spending powerhouse Crossroads GPS is pulling its ads from the Missouri Senate race, three sources confirmed to POLITICO. [...] Contacted about the decision to withdraw its resources from Missouri, Crossroads spokesman Nate Hodson responded: “The act speaks for itself.” [Politico]
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE Mitt Romney acted like someone who wants to lead Republicans closer to sanity on women’s issues, when he thoroughly and completely disassociated himself from Missouri’s Todd Akin. Not only was this the right move, but it was strong and unequivocal. Later this afternoon Richard Grenell tweeted that Akin’s advisors are making preparations for him to withdraw [update].
In a phone interview this morning, Mitt Romney told National Review Online that Representative Todd Akin’s recent remarks on rape are “inexcusable.”
“Congressman’s Akin comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable, and, frankly, wrong,” Romney said. “Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive.”
[...] “I have an entirely different view,” Romney said. “What he said is entirely without merit and he should correct it.”
If there is one thing that is worth the effort it is encouraging Republicans off the wingnut cliff, impressing on all of them that violence and brutality against women isn’t a marketing or bargaining chip to flippantly use to appease the worst of the right. Any movement off the precipice is a step I’ll gladly applaud. Unhinged people like Todd Akin and other Tea Party extremists must accept that their radical policy priorities will get them into career trouble so that some cul-de-sac representing a glimmer of mainstream Republicanism can begin to see light.
Sean Hannity on his radio show made the case to Akin that he wasn’t as important as what’s at stake if he stays in the race, which could cost Republicans the control of the Senate and Mitt Romney the White House, as Hannity sees it, though if Chicago is counting on Missouri Obama’s supporters should start worrying about them. Akin wouldn’t budge, but Hannity wouldn’t quit. His effort was herculean and hilarious, because his desperation was palpable. He cited emails to Akin he was getting as the interview progressed.
Akin was also on with Mike Huckabee, which you can hear at Buzzfeed.
Todd Akin has until Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to make his decision, otherwise it would take a lawsuit to get him off the ballot, according to reports.
Taylor,
What is the process if he steps down? Does Aire Claire win by default? or, does Brunner get put on the ticket?
From what I’ve read if he steps down before 5:00 p.m.tomorrow, either the MO GOP or the RNC get to pick who gets to run against Claire. Otherwise, goo luck getting him off the ballot.
cjoblak- State GOP central committee would pick Akin’s replacement.
Tea Party just threw him under the bus, too.
So, no love from the TEA Party faithful? I’m shocked, shocked I tell you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gf8NK1WAOc
So Missouri gal, what does the MO Republican Party do now? What is plan B after the exploding cigar of Akin?
Hannity did everything but beg Akin to quit today, spincitysd.
There’s still time for Akin to leave, which remains the skuttlebutt, no matter what he says.
If Missouri Republicans had a brain in their heads they’d pick Sarah Steelman. That’s cjoblak’s choice & she’s not alone. GOP needs to send a message to women after this debacle.
Hey, but Missouri Republicans aren’t smart, they’re misogynistic ignoramuses. But even they have to know what Akin’s done nationally.
Me thinks the GOP has created a monster with the tea party and now has a ton of problems because of it. What this guy said is pretty mainstream tea party thought. I mean these are people after all who think having a miscarriage is worthy of capital punishment.
“Mitt Romney acted like someone who wants to lead Republicans closer to sanity on women’s issues, when he thoroughly and completely disassociated himself from Missouri’s Todd Akin. Not only was this the right move, but it was strong and unequivocal.”- Taylor
Yeah, it only took a couple of hours and a second statement released to the press…for Romney to grow a pair and state the obvious. It would have been stronger if Romney has said those exact words from the start of this Todd Adkin fall out…Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan disgust me.
Well said Marie.
Moreover, since Mitt Romney has suddenly found the backbone to take a stand against something for once, while he’s at it he may also want to scold Limbaugh for calling Sandra Fluke a slut.
IMO, the Democrats should jump at this opportunity to remind him that he still has work to do if he want to pretend that he has courage.
Does the average American voter even see how close these people are to a Taliban way of thinking. What have we spent the past 12 years fighting for?
Yes, the average American voter sees this…but most turn blindly away from the obvious. They instead choose to ignore the warning signs and watch reality TV shows 24/7.
And also, how in the world does Mitt Romney bring Republicans closer to sanity on women’s issues…when he does NOT support a women’s right to choose? The man picked a running mate that holds views identical to Todd Akin, as his next in line for the Presidency. Ugh!
This election is a horrible time for Women, Gays and minorities.
it is not over in Mo. If Adkins is forced out the GOP loses the unicorn ( magical thinkers) vote and they are the dependables and the worker bees.They will stay home or many of them will.Betcha~
I am pretty sure that even if Adkins is forced out the link with Ryan has been made.
Lake Lady…I hope so, Paul Ryan feels the same way Todd Akin does…otherwise he would not have help sponsor that bill. It sickens me that Mitt Romney selected a running mate, who feels a woman’s right to choose even in cases of incest…could be heartbeat away from the presidency.
Don’t know why he should quit….he just was dumb enough to say in public what these misogynistic ass monkeys actually think and say to each other.
The “Lesson” learned by Tea Party is that their candidates can’t go Full Tea Party until after November. Akins will never be a Senator, but there are plenty of Akins clones already in congress who are just better at keeping their rhetoric somewhat sane. The next Rove Candidate Workshop won’t be urging tolerance or intelligence, but SILENCE and the strict use of scripts.
Meanwhile, McCaskill will have to run against a Less Than Crazy Republican- if the state GOP is smart, they’ll skip over the second place finisher and pick Steelman- and will probably lose anyway.
Ann Coulter and others want Sarah Palin backed candidate Sarah Steelman to run in Todd Akins place. Claire McCaskill wants Todd Akins to stay in the race, she should have not said anything and scold the idiot for what he said. Claire McCaskill is a blue-dog but more sane that the GOP candidates. Thats where we are at in 2012.
It is going to be very interesting to see how the MO Republican Party handle this one. The TEA Party types want Steelman, but it is the establishment that will make the call. Hard to say FMI where this all ends up. Akin just gut-punched the MO Republican Party, and it is still trying to catch its breath. With the national Republican Party breathing fire down the local’s neck, yet another screw-up could occur. David Cole, whoever he is besides the chair, has his work cut out for him. He better bring his “A” game, if has one.
If Missouri Republicans had a brain in their heads they’d pick Sarah Steelman. That’s cjoblak’s choice & she’s not alone. GOP needs to send a message to women after this debacle.
Sorry, Taylor, i cannot agree with you here.
I did some research about Steelman and found this:
Campaign themes
2012
On her campaign website, Steelman lists these issues. They are
Education:
Steelman’s campaign website says, “As the federal government has become more involved in your children’s education, educational bureaucracy has grown. The requirements that this bureaucracy puts on teachers leaves them with less time for teaching.”
Taxes
Steelman’s website says, “As a Reagan Republican, Sarah knows that the key to getting our economy growing again is keeping money in the pockets of the American people. By keeping taxes low for individuals and small businesses, we create the economic climate needed to encourage private investment and job creation.”
Earmarks
Steelman’s campaign website says, “Earmarks are a corrosive influence on our government. Earmarks both waste taxpayer dollars and abuse the public trust. Every year, billions of your tax dollars are wasted on pet projects that Congressmen and Senators load onto important legislation like Christmas Tree ornaments. The public Treasury is not meant to be a personal slush fund to people in a position of public trust. That is why Sarah Steelman proposes a full and complete ban on the practice of Congressional earmarking. Furthermore, Sarah pledges that even before earmarks are banned completely, Sarah will not be part of the problem. She pledges not to request any earmark. Ever.”
Unions
Steelman’s website says, It is the fundamental right of every American to choose with whom they want to associate or, just as importantly, not associate. No American should be forced to join a union against their will. That is why in the Senate Sarah will sponsor legislation to institute national Right-to-Work legislation, ending the practice of forced unionism in the workplace. Sarah will also steadfastly oppose any efforts to impose card-check legislation, which would eliminate the democratic right to a secret ballot in union organizing and lead to worker intimidation.”
The Second Amendment
Steelman’s website says, “The Constitution could not be clearer. The right of law abiding citizens to bear arms is as fundamental a freedom as that of religion, speech, or press. In the Senate, I will oppose any efforts to restrict the right of citizens to own, possess, and carry a firearm. I will oppose any efforts to force the registration of firearms or any other policies that unduly burden the lawful purchase or possession of guns.”
Spending
Steelman’s website says, “Believing in the philosophy that the best government is the one that governs least, Sarah Steelman believes that restraining the growth of government is absolutely critical to the economic security of our nation. Our government has accumulated the largest debt in human history, much of it to foreign lenders, and we must act now to reduce spending in order to get our fiscal house in order. This is why Sarah supports a balanced budget amendment and will be a tireless opponent of wasteful government spending. Moreover, Sarah pledges to work to ban the corrupt practice of federal earmarks, and pledges not to request any earmarks in the Senate.”
Healthcare
Steelman’s website says, “Sarah believes that we can improve the quality of healthcare in this country through free market solutions that empower consumers to make better healthcare choices for themselves and through curbing the billions of dollars wasted on frivolous lawsuits. That is why Sarah Steelman pledges to work to enact medical malpractice lawsuit reform.”
Energy
Steelman’s website says, “My energy plan takes an “all of the above” approach to solving our current and future energy needs. The development of new technology must not be hindered while we capitalize off the plethora of current resources available. Enacting this energy plan will reduce our current dependence on foreign oil, decrease current energy prices, ensure stability in price for future energy consumption, and create several thousand jobs. We must act now.”
Abortion rights:
Steelman’s website says, “Sarah believes that government’s main role is to protect those that cannot protect themselves. This is no truer than in the case of the unborn. Sarah is wholly and 100% pro-life and will vote 100% pro-life in the US Senate. Roe v. Wade was a wrongly decided Supreme Court case that undermined the Constitution in the name of a liberal policy agenda. In the US Senate, Sarah will support the complete defunding of Planned Parenthood and other abortion-providing organizations, and will fight to end, once and for all, the practice of partial-birth abortion. Sarah will also oppose the confirmation of judges who attempt to legislate from the bench in order to prevent decisions like Roe v. Wade from happening again.”
National Security:
Steelman’s website says that she has two guiding principles with respect to national security:
Overwhelming Force: The doctrine of overwhelming force dates back to that flag that spoke so clearly, “Don’t tread on me” — America seeks peace and tries to keep the peace through all available means. However, we keep peace by remaining strong and vigilant. And if our nation’s security is at risk and non-military means have failed, we should strike with all deliberation and force, with only one goal — total victory.
She’s Ronald Reagan in a skirt and Sarah Palin with a bit more grey matter. And, a Tea Party darling.
Pass.
I don’t think Taylor was endorsing Steelman, just pointing out that she is a woman and after Akin’s meltdown would make a much, much better candidate against McCaskill.
You spent ten paragraphs or so telling us that she’s a Republican who has what are basically standard Republican ideals. What’s your point?
“She’s Ronald Reagan in a skirt and Sarah Palin with a bit more grey matter….” Yeah, so? You just described what many Republicans would call an ideal Senator.
You do get that being anti-abortion, anti-govt sponsored health care, anti-union, anti-Dept of Education, and pro-Imperialist is not uncommon in either party today, don’t you?
Actually, I wonder if you understand that having a different set of political beliefs than you does not equal “crazy” or “unelectable.”