Posted on 08/21/2012 8:11:10 PM PDT by Sark
The deadline for Representative Todd Akin (R-MO) to withdraw from the Missouri Senate has passed. This has led to much wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst conservatives, myself included. Despite seemingly every prominent Republican and conservative in the country condemning his comments on rape or calling for him to exit the race, he ultimately refused.
Could he still do so? Yes, through petitioning a Missouri court in what appears to be a fairly simple process. Some have suggested that the left would try to impede this process, but I'm not sure how they could. If that's the case, will he drop out despite the passing of the deadline?
I sincerely doubt it. According to one source quoted by the Washington Post, Akin honestly "believes that his race is providential, that God has willed his win." With a religious conviction that strong, the man is unshakable. After the incredible pressure brought to bear upon him over the last two days failed to sway him, I don't know what could.
Even if he did change his mind, he has lost his opportunity to leave the race with even a semblance of grace. Not to mention that the longer he delays, the lower the odds are that his replacement candidate will win. Whoever replaced him would need time to fundraise, gather grassroots support, create and run ads, boost name recognition, and gain momentum. Senator McCaskill is a weak incumbent and the fundamentals of the race remain against her, but she's competent enough to win with a substantial cash advantage.
What have we learned about Congressman Todd Akin?
On Sunday, Akin confirmed that he's gaffe-prone and more than a little bit ignorant of basic biology. It goes without saying that abortion-in-the-case-of-rape is a deeply controversial social issue. Despite holding a passionate position on the issue as a lawmaker, he never performed the most basic of research on it. This reveals an apathetic intellect, at the very least.
On Monday, Akin confirmed that he's not a very good politician or campaigner. His initial comments were incompetent, insensitive, and inexcusable. His apology and the campaign's response to the immediate backlash were weak, insufficient, and tone-deaf. After a string of lesser gaffes preceding this one, neither he nor his campaign learned how to react effectively. He failed to control the narrative, he failed to rally support, and he even failed to maintain the support of his own party.
He fundamentally misunderstood the basic nature of a gaffe. There's the gaffe itself, and then there's the response. The gaffe itself was ugly and a painful blow to his candidacy. Could he have recovered, if the media and the political world hadn't picked up on the story? Sure. Every campaign makes gaffes, and in a race against an unpopular incumbent, you can survive a big one if you play your cards right.
However, the response was massive and negative, across-the-board. This story has now dominated the news cycle for days, and there's no sign of that stopping. Even if a gaffe isn't inherently awful, the media and the Internet can magnify its impact dramatically. Akin may be correct in claiming that the blowback to his remarks on rape are an overreaction, but that doesn't matter. Regardless of whether or not he agrees with the scope of the backlash, the backlash still exists, and it's enormous.
Today, Akin confirmed that he's not a statesman. When faced with a choice between his personal ambition and his country, he chose himself. He may deny that as many times as he wishes, but it's true. He knows that if he withdrew now, there's enough time for a replacement candidate to put together a winning campaign. He knows that there are other solidly conservative candidates who could fill in for him, including his top two primary competitors, businessman John Brunner and former Missouri state treasurer Sarah Steelman.
He knows that there are only a handful of truly competitive Senate races in this country, and that conservatives can't afford to throw away a single seat if we hope to win a Senate majority in November. He knows that the combination of his disastrous gaffe and total abandonment by the Republican Party and outside groups seriously jeopardizes his chances of winning. He knows that if conservatives don't get a Senate majority, ObamaCare will be saved from repeal. He knows that the budget won't be balanced. He knows that the next Supreme Court justice or two won't adhere to the Constitution or share his views on abortion.
Congressman Todd Akin knows the consequences of his decision, and he doesn't care. He's shifting blame for his "misspeaking" on the interviewer. He's blind to the realities of the world around him, and now he claims that only the "liberal media" wants him to drop out, which is plainly ridiculous. In his mind, he must be the candidate. He must be the standard-bearer for social conservatism. He must be, because it's providence.
Right?
The United States Senate is supposed to be a deliberative body. The Founders intended for it to function primarily as a check on the temporary passions of the people, which are embodied by the House of the Representatives. In contrast, the Senate is meant to embody the wisdom of the people. James Madison himself made this point explicitly in The Federalist Papers:
"The necessity of a senate is not less indicated by the propensity of all single and numerous assemblies to yield to the impulse of sudden and violent passions, and to be seduced by factious leaders into intemperate and pernicious resolutions. Examples on this subject might be cited without number; and from proceedings within the United States, as well as from the history of other nations." - President James Madison, writing as Publius in Federalist No. 62, originally published on February 27th, 1788.With his comments and his point-blank refusal to seriously consider withdrawing from the race, Akin obviously lacks a deliberative character. He doesn't come off as a statesman. I'm not saying that every Senator must be a statesman. That's unrealistic and unnecessary. However, Akin fails to exhibit any critical element of statesmanship. Aristotle believed that a statesman must be imbued with "practical wisdom," or prudence. He isn't. A statesman must also embody the best of humanity. He doesn't. A statesman must place the good above himself. He refuses.
If Congressman Todd Akin manages to beat the odds (and Senator Claire McCaskill) by landing a Senate seat, he may be a reliably conservative vote. He may be a good man, although not a great one. Right now, that doesn't matter. After this failure of judgment and character, he doesn't deserve to win. He's not the kind of person that the Senate needs. Do I still want him to win? All things considered, the stakes are too high to root against him.
Unfortunately.
He can go to Court until September 25th to get off the Ballot
I could be wrong but I don’t believe God chose him for this Senate seat.
“I could be wrong but I don’t believe God chose him for this Senate seat.”
*********************************************************
Well, not unless God is working for the McCaskill campaign these days.
this is what happens when crossovers can vote in primaries. the republicans in every state need to state there can only be republicans voting in the primary and work to change any rules that allow for same day voting/party affiliation change. should not be allowed within 60 days of an election.
I heard Gov Sarah Palin on Greta TV show saying she is willing to help initiate a 3rd party run in MO with Ms Steelman as the candidate. Sarah is right as usual. We can not afford to lose the senate and be stuck with Obamacare permanently. I am willing to contribute to such a 3rd party run in MO.
Romney says Todd Akin he will introduce Todd Akin energy plan next Todd Akin week
"The presumptive Republican Todd Akin presidential nominee dropped by Todd Akin the Houstonian for lunch on Todd Akin Tuesday and departed Todd Akin less than an hour later Todd Akin with about $6 million Todd Akin in his campaign money bags.
On a fundraising Todd Akin swing through Texas before Todd Akin the start of the Todd Akin Republican National Convention next Todd Akin week, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Todd Akin told a luncheon gathering Todd Akin of about Todd Akin 125 people that his No. 1 Todd Akin priority as president Todd Akin would be "to take full advantage of Todd Akin our energy resources."
Romney assured his Todd Akin listeners at the high-dollar fundraiser Todd Akin, that he tells Todd Akin Ohio audiences the same Todd Akin thing he tells Texas audiences Todd Akin about the importance Todd Akin of energy. He also said Todd Akin he would be introducing Todd Akin a comprehensive energy Todd Akin plan during a visit Todd Akin to New Mexico Todd Akin next week.
"I want Todd Akin to take advantage of oil Todd Akin, gas, coal, renewables Todd Akin, nuclear, all of the Todd Akin above in a Todd Akin very aggressive way," Romney Todd Akin said.
The former Todd Akin Massachusetts governor was introduced by Todd Akin Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who was Todd Akin high on the vice-Todd Akin-presidential list before Romney's choice of Wisconsin Todd Akin Congressman Paul Ryan. In his introductory Todd Akin remarks, Portman told Romney Todd Akin that a recent Todd Akin poll suggested that the race in Todd Akin Ohio was neck-and-Todd Akin-neck. "The resources Todd Akin being raised here Todd Akin today will help us take Todd Akin you over the top," he Todd Akin said."
====================================
My commentary:
He tried to engage the PeePee & Cooter Party on their own turf.
Many Republicans and conservatives don't understand the Democrats. Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid do all the complex thinking for the hive mind. The rank & file Democrats are left with that which they understand - their PeePees and their Cooters. As this is what they think about most of their day (since the important thoughts are being taken care by Big Brain Obama), they're self-anointed experts on the subject.
So Todd Akin wanders into their playpen and presumes to tell them how their ladyparts and littleboyparts work.
Smooth move, Exlax...
If you don't believe me, go read the comments on nearly any other site. It's all smugness about knowing more about their ladyparts than this old fossil Akin.
For those calling Adkins “stupid”, tell me about the stupid ignorant incompetent incumbent Pubbies who allow the moronic alien buffoon in the WH to rub their RINO noses in their own feces!!
His name is Akin, not Adkins, he’s a long-term Congressman from a safe district and as it turns out, he’s an absolute halfwit and blew his own chance to be in the Senate, nobody else did it to him, it was an unforced error on his part.
Akin is a delusional psychotic freak show.
This current media will do human wave banzai charges for Obama. They are crazy in love with Barack. My prediction is that they will attempt to substitute Akin for Romney at the convention with their coverage.
They got away with similar bilge with Palin, why not now?
Uh, because he's dumb as Biden. Maybe even dumber.
Your post is 100% correct. Unfortunately, the Democrat media will employ human wave attacks to bury Romney in the Akin tar pit. They did it with Palin, just because she's a woman.
Akin represents an entire election to them, one that Obarfme & McCackle had lost. Hold onto your hat, dear.
I know about this stuff because I've seen a lot over the past 15 years at Free Republic.
Why should HE? After all, Akin has taken the unpopular stance that children of rape don't deserve to die. Of course, Akin didn't say it in a manner digestible to the general public, in fact, it was not really factual at all.
But, the fetus of a rapist is still a human life, or maybe not, if the mother does not expel the fetus, perhaps it should be aborted after all.
I don't know. What do you think? Should a pro-life view have exceptions?
Because it is the "exceptions" that this "controversy" is about.
Exactly. Why don't people see that democrats and the media will find anything to latch onto to destroy the right. If it wasn't Akins, it would be someone else. They do this because they see the gop are wimp and won't stand up to them. The sad part is that many “conservatives” buy into there thinking.
Yesterday I heard that Romney has moved left and informed everyone he is not as pro-life as he claimed to be in the primary. Some want the party platform change to allign to romney. Romney is taking this party to hell. Is that where people hold his feet to the fire?
If I understood Mark Levin correctly, the problem with that "simple process" is that the specific court to be petitioned is dominated by Democrats and is unlikely to grant the petition.
Still, I suppose that is our best shot. All this talk of a third party run is absurd. None of the Republicans who lost in the primary can run because of Missouri's "sore loser" law, and in any case a third party would just split the conservative vote unless Akin drops out.
So we probably have to get to 51 without Missouri. On that subject, I found this slightly encouraging:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.