Posted on 08/20/2012 8:56:24 PM PDT by smoothsailing
August 20, 2012
Mike Flynn
........
At some point before 5pm CDT tomorrow, Akin will file papers to formally withdraw his name from the ballot. I realize today Akin was defiant and said he wasn't a "quitter." His supporters claim he will stay in the race because he views his candidacy as "providential", but this is just the bluster before the end. Everyone is entitled to 24 hours to try to right their ship, but Akin did nothing today to cauterize the wound. When Reince Priebus, Ann Coulter, NRSC and Tea Party Express are all united in saying you should quit, you've pretty much run out of options.
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After Akin withdraws the decision to name a replacement falls to the 15 members of the state GOP central committee. Speculation is currently focused on two candidates Akin defeated in the recent GOP primary; businessman Jim Brunner and former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman.
Brunner had the backing of many GOP insiders because of his ability to partially self-fund his race. Steelman had the backing of Sarah Palin. They both lost to Akin in large part because Sen. McCaskill ran a lot of ads "attacking" him for being too conservative. (Think of it as a Republican dog-whistle.) Among the two, Steelman probably has the edge as the GOP may want to put the Akin debacle to rest by nominating a woman. It is also expected that Palin would campaign aggressively for Steelman, which would be helpful as 2012 is turning out to be a base election....
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Man! I love sammitches!
It’s a hunch, but it’s obvious. If Akin doesn’t withdraw, he will be reviled for the remainder of his life. He’s a pol, he knows what he has to do.
I'm thinking now it won't be either Brunner or Steelman. I'm thinking either Ann Wagner, current candidate for Akin's House seat (my district), or Kit Bond, consistent statewide winner, two-time governor, four-time senator, recently retired (but 73 now).
BTW, it's JOHN Brunner not "Jim."
Among the two, Steelman probably has the edge as the GOP may want to put the Akin debacle to rest by nominating a woman.
The same could be accomplished by running Ann Wagner.
Steelman finished third in the primary, and she is not all that popular in state Republican circles. She hasn't always been a very good team player.
“GOP officials are considering Jim Talent, State Auditor Tom Schweich and John Brunner, who came in second behind Akin in the Republican primary.”
Talent says “it ain’t me babe”, so could be one of the other two, or whoever else from the GOP-E is rattling around the back of the GOP of Missouri’s closet.
Akin is toast, no doubt about it. He’ll step down.
Sarah Steelman is the best choice, IMO. A strong conservative woman can pound McCaskill relentlessly and McCaskill can’t whine sexism or male chauvanist pigism or whatever she would yell at a male candidate.
GO SARAH!
(But what do I know, I vote in PA)
Phew! That’s one seat saved with some minor damage to the party’s image. Not so bad. Now back to your casket, McCatskull. You’re still a dead candidate.
Thank you Mr. Akin for doing the right thing.
I think Ann Wagner would have a better chance of beating McCaskill. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Wagner being the replacement.
Hopefully it's saved. I wouldn't think the party's image would be damaged at all, as the public sees them repudiating and replacing Akin.
CH, I’ll certainly defer to you, a native, over any out-of-state journalist or freeper. I like Steelman because Palin puts so much stock in her, but I suppose just about anyone is better than Akin at this point.
(Now watch, it will be Kit Bond or Tom Schweich.)
Steelman finished third in the primary, and she is not all that popular in state Republican circles. She hasn't always been a very good team player.I suspect that's one of the attributes that attracted Sarah Palin.
She's made a living swimming against the tide.
Would happily approve of Wagner. Plus that district is pretty GOP-favorable so an alternate candidate could be found, heck maybe Akin himself for his old seat although I’d prefer he stay off any ballot this year.
1. Ann Wagner 55%
2. Kit Bond 15%
3. Tom Schweich 10%
4. John Brunner 8%
5. Sarah Steelman 7%
6. Jim Talent 3%
7. John Ashcroft 1.5%
8. John Danforth 0.5%
9. Alan Keyes 0.0%
Former Sen. Jim Talent, who lost to McCaskill in 2006, has already announced he won't seek the nomination.
That's one "recommendation" down.
Other names being floated include former Sen. John Ashcroft and former Ambassador Ann Wagner. Wagner is the current GOP candidate to replace Akin in the House.
And if Wagner accepts who is going to volunteer to take her place?
What a year!
You forgot one.
10. Barack Obama, -100%
“They’s makin’ samiches!”
Looks on pulled pork on Wonder Bread
Democrats and Claire will cry foul that is one thing you can bet on
Yes. Steelman would be a fence mender.
Well, who came in second in the primaries? That should decide it, period. If that’s Brunner, fine. If Steelman fine. But it’ simply a travesty to put in anyone who didn’t win the most votes, regardless of who endorsed him or her.
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