If Akin withdraws, I think the slot would go to either John Brunner, Kit Bond, or Jim Talent. Brunner was the runner-up to Akin in the primary; Steelman finished third. Bond is the recently retired four-time, undefeated former senator. Talent is a former senator, too, but he lost his last race. Steelman's one advantage is that she is a woman, so that would neutralize, somewhat, "the gender issue." This election needs to return to being about ObamaClaire McCaskill and her ties to Obama, Obamacare, the dismal economy, jobs, etc., not about rape.
If Akin is forced to withdraw I WILL vote for Claire McCaskil in November.