Posted on 08/22/2012 12:01:44 AM PDT by Publius804
As Tuesday’s deadline slipped by for embattled Rep. Todd Akin to pull out of the Missouri Senate race without penalty, campaign press secretary Ryan Hite told Newsmax in an exclusive interview that the decision came down to Show Me State voters urging their candidate to “stay strong.”
Speaking shortly after the 5 p.m. Central deadline, Hite said that Akin displayed a “sense of confidence” throughout the day even as prominent GOP leaders and organizations urged the Republican to give up his Senate bid following earlier comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in case of "legitimate rape."
“The attitude behind it was: 'Look here’s the deal. We’ve got a bunch of people that are calling for me to step down and are calling for me to move on as the nominee and to give this position to the GOP to pick someone,’ but there are an incredible amount of people standing up and saying ‘look, we the Missouri primary voters pick you in this primary election to run against Claire McCaskill,” Hite explained.
“’You need to stand up and stay strong because you’re the one that we want to contrast against McCaskill's voting record,’” said Hite. “He felt very strongly about that and the support was very encouraging and that’s what the decision boiled down to for him.”
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
It is incumbent upon a politician seeking the votes and support of the populace to be able to coomunicate in a clear and effective manner.
Akin failed at that dreadfully in the initial offending interview with Jaco. Then, in all of his “do-overs” with Hannity, Loesch and Huckabee, he still demonstrated a complete inability to articulate his position in an emotionally compelling or intellectually stimulating way. It’s not about “requisite savior faire.” It’s about baseline communication abilities and he ain’t got em.
One wonders if his completely impenetrable House District has numbed his ability and/or need to articulate his position in a more hostile environment.
Akin and his supporters must really hate America. This selfish arrogant jerk is ensuring that McCaskill will win the Senate and probably keep the Senate in Democratic hands. Also he’s making it much harder for Romney to win Missouri and therefore the presidency.
I hope everyone supporting Akin is happy when we are stuck with a Democratic Senate and four more years of Obama. And don’t forget Obama will probably get to name a few more Supreme Court justices. Akin is the best thing that’s happened for Obama this year.
Akin is like the captain of a ship that has hit an iceberg, but refuses to acknowledge the huge tear in the side of his ship.
What Money? He can’t get a dime
Knowing that Palin (whom I admire greatly) does not support him, and knowing nothing about him before this incident, I still think he should stay in -— and that the circular firing squad should shoulder arms.
He said something stupid, granted, but he didn’t DO anything wrong -— no DUIs, no rapes (whether they resulted in pregnancy or not), no harassment, no letting a young woman drown in a car -— need I go on? If every politician who said something stupid had to withdraw, we’d have noone serving in any local, state or federal office!
(Ok, so maybe that would be a good thing.)
I’m tired of Republicans whimpering, “How high?” whenever the media and the dems say “jump”.
How many times have we heard admonitions to “just admit your mistake; people will forgive. The worst thing is to cover it up.” Well, he admitted it and apologized, so let’s set the forgiveness example and move on.
You are sooooo manipulated by the press.
You are getting hauled by Rules for Radicals. Make the oppositon live up to their perfect standards. This is a good way of picking them off.
Learn to ignore the leftist press. People really dont care, the economy is the issue.
Hey toddie... check your internals on Thursday and get back to us... jerk.
LLS
I don't think Akin believes rape is an insignificant thing, or that its effect on its victims is minor. But in trying to explain why he didn't believe that the horror of rape should be compounded by the tragedy of an abortion he came off that way. But that's Akin. It's what he does. It's what he'll continue to do. He is not the right candidate for the Missouri Senate seat. And he needs to realize that.
Wonder how many emails Claire sent him? Maybe she’ll let him work in her St. Louis office after she wins.
“I’ve been defending the guy. Got a problem with that?”
******************************************************************
Well I don’t. I was defending him for several days until I learned more about him and the situation. But I learned that I WAS BEING STUPID AND IGNORANT and, realizing this, changed based upon my new knowledge. So, just as I had that right, you also have the right to be stupid and ignorant and act accordingly. And you can stay and revel in that ignorance but I’m praying that Akin, his advisors and his family wake up and do the right thing—and do it SOON.
The longer Akin delays withdrawal, the more damage he does to the people and principles he CLAIMS to believe in.
Ryan Hite said Akin received an “outpouring of support” in the form of calls and emails....but I thought I’d read he had been incommunicado for the past couple days. Curious.
I live in Missouri, not in his district but not too far away. Here’s the thing: his district is rather homogeneous, wealthy and conservative. He’s not faced much competition there. Also, he’s been a major champion of homeschooling...there are a LOT of homeschoolers in his district and there are a lot of us in Missouri and it’s a strong lobby. Nothing wrong with that, I’m just pointing out that he does most likely still have that support.
I didn’t vote for him, was surprised he won, and suspect Democratic crossover in the open primary was a factor. I’m a pro life homeschooler, and appreciate that he is also, but.... he needs wider appeal to win statewide office. Nice man I’m sure, unfortunately (painfully obviously) he doesn’t articulate his positions to people outside his “bubble” very well.
I was hoping he’d step aside quickly and let someone else lead. “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one” Spock
I’d call Akin alot worse than a dondering old fool...
...he is a moronic, delusional, selfish, greedy POS.
Only the Republican Party could produce...and then fail to get rid of...a worthless scumbag like this.
Wait...if he was merely wothless it would be a giganic improvement. As it is, this hammerhead could cost those of us who oppose Communist USA a national election.
But the “babies” will be safe...right.
WTF!!!!!!!!!
Hey Mom, I’ve been wondering what your take is on Akin..
In case anyone wondered, Gov. Palin is my kind of woman.. (/understatement) Her take is always worth hearing and for the most part, I trust her opinion in almost every political, emotional, moral, principles..
However, there are times my knee-jerk reaction on some topics are so deep-seeded, that even at the advice of Palin, Rush, or our nominee et al, I take exception..
This appears to be one of those times, not because I think this guy was smart with his stupid comments to a lib commentator.. It’s because I don’t like being told what I should think by a Liberal media, and commie pundits..
Also, I don’t entirely disagree with Akin’s point, that there are times that even some WOMEN LIE, about stuff, (GASP!!)and even in claiming something as horrendous as rape, if the lie gives an advantage in getting them what they want!
In this case getting to kill their baby through abortion, because they didn’t take the appropriate steps to avoid pregnancy.. IE: legitimate rape..
Only true of democratic crises. Did ‘macaca’ blow over for george allen? I guarantee you this issue not only does not go away, but will show up nationally throughout the campaign. It will show up multiple times in the presidentdial debates. Dems and the MSM will use this as a wedge issue to try and pull women’s votes. INstead of this election being about Obama destroying the economy, it will be about abortion.
The stakes are so high in this election, you can't be blinded by this stuff. OF course you will have blood on your hands for supporting Akin if he loses. Do you think you can live a consequence free life? I'll leave you with this: James 4:17 - Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
I agree with your points, but the visceral hostility directed at his inarticulate defense of Life expresses a sharply different priority and point of view.
>> And you can stay and revel in that ignorance
My defense of Akin involves criticism of the irrational, hostile reaction to his original statements.
Regarding his candidacy, that’s for the people of Missouri to decide, not me.
>> The road to hell is paved with good Intentions?
>> That is the core liberal philosophy you’re sticking to.
You’re referring to the context of policy, I’m referring to the intended meaning of his remarks. But you already know that.
>> James 4:17 - Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
I never stated my position on whether or not Akin should stand down. That’s for Missouri to decide.
I have to disagree. I think he’s a good man, and believe he’s been listening to the wrong people. His campaign staff have cut off his phones and email for the last three days.
Campaign operatives need to have a job, and I believe they are telling him that he can win.
I understand he was in Tampa today, meeting with party officials.
We’ll see what comes from that.
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