Republicans Pulling Plug On Missouri Sen. Candidate Akin After Rape Remarks

by Tony Lee 

After making inexplicable comments about how “the female body has ways to shut that whole thing down” in regard to rapes that he considered were not “legitimate,” Republican Missouri Senate nominee Rep. Todd Akin went on Mike Huckabee’s (Huckabee endorsed Akin in the primary) and Sean Hannity’s radio shows and apologized for his comments on Monday.

But even though Akin has not withdrawn from the race, he is facing mounting pressure to do so before Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline. 

Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), whose chief advisers also work for Mitt Romney, and Tea Party Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) have called on Akin to quit the race.

American Crossroads, Karl Rove’s group that had pledged millions of dollars on behalf of Akin’s campaign in Missouri, announced they would be pulling out of Missouri if Akin does not quit the race.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) said they would not be spending the $5 million they had intended to spend in Missouri if Akin did not quit the race. 

And Sean Hannity urged Akin to consider quitting the race for “what is in the best interest” of the party. 

Republicans are worried that Akin could lose what once seemed like a shoo-in victory like George Allen did in 2006 after he uttered “macaca.” Allen's loss in 2006 -- the year in which Claire McCaskill was ironically elected in Missouri -- cost Republicans the Senate that year. Republicans fear if they do not win Missouri in 2012, they will not gain control of the Senate. 

Republicans are also fearful Akin’s comments will hurt Republicans in other states and make it tougher for Romney to appeal to women and independent voters in the general election. 

Conservative groups like the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List and the Family Research Council, in addition to conservatives in Missouri, have stuck by Akin. And Akin, as of this writing, has indicated that he intends to stay in the race, but pressure will only intensify for him to withdraw as Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline nears. 

Akin's tweet can be seen below:

Todd Akin

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@ToddAkin

I am in this race to win. We need a conservative Senate. Help me defeat Claire by donating: secure.campaignsolutions.com/toddakin/donat… #mosen