Huckabee digs in behind Akin

Politico ^ | // | Alexander Burns

[TonyInOhio]

Todd Akin hasn't had many high-profile supporters with him in the trenches this week, but Mike Huckabee became an important and emphatic exception Thursday afternoon, sending a message to his own supporters accusing Republican elites of trying to drum a good man out of a winnable Senate race. Here's what Huckabee said in an email to his list this afternoon:

Party’s leaders have for reasons that aren't rational, left [Akin] behind on the political battlefield, wounded and bleeding, a casualty of his self-inflicted, but not intentional wound.

[JediJones]

We're in agreement on that point; where we differ is that I want the politicians that represent me to be able to speak without saying stupid things.

We don't differ on that. That's one reason I opposed Romney as unelectable in the primary. He said one stupid thing after another. But every politician makes a gaffe at some point. And withdrawing funding and demanding resignation over that is an overreaction. That should be reserved for politicians who commit crimes or a serious moral failing like adultery.

What Akin said was idiotic, and it wasn't just a "poor choice of words" - he actually believes in what he said.

What he said came from leading medical professionals in the pro-life movement. And even those who disagree with him admitted that there is at least a slightly less likelihood of pregnancy from rape, just maybe not as dramatic as Akin seemed to think. It's a debatable issue, not something crazy or outrageous.

It's too bad that Akin isn't a Morman - Huckabee and his followers would have been leading the charge to drum him out of the race.

Uh, then why did Huckabee endorse Romney?

[Uncle Chip]

I have never witnessed such damned selfishness and arrogance in a would be political figure who could easily have done the right thing early.

Clearly you haven't been to Washington DC lately.

[svcw]

It is so rare that the mother’s life would be lost if she kept the pregnancy to be nonexistent.
In general issues come up after the baby is viable (now after 26 weeks maybe even sooner), so there is zero reason to kill the child, just perform a C-section and the baby will live.
The so called “life of the mother” argument, is so woman can kill viable babies in the womb.

[mlizzy]

What other purpose is an abortion outside of the 'rare' exceptions, but birth control?

Many women receive abortions that have used the pill, their partner, condoms, or other devices. Are you saying you are against them having abortions too, but for the woman who has been raped?

[Norman Bates]

The key word from Huck being “self-inflicted.”

[Inconvenient Truthteller]

Take a (tax) Hike, Mike!

[Inconvenient Truthteller]

His chance to run in 2016 is gone if Romney/Ryan win.

Yep.

[onyx]

Thank you for the ping, dearest xzins!

It’s imperative we win that US Senate seat. I think all of his challengers were also pro-life. He’s made a mess of this election and now it’s up to candidate Akin and MO to decide the outcome.

From what I’ve read about his personal biography, he’s a good man, but I have to ponder why McCaskill’s PAC largely funded his primary campaign?

His other challenger (Brunner I think?) was backed by pro-life groups and ministers and Sarah Palin backed Sarah Steelman, who came in third.

How to get him out of the headlines? THAT challenge seems impossible. He’s become a very serious distraction and the lamestream takes its cue from the Obama campaign.

I’m not in MO, so I can only pray.

[Inconvenient Truthteller]

That part wasn't the problem. The problem was the nonsense about how it's impossible to be impregnated by rape (implying that anyone who is impregnated by rape is actually a liar who wanted and enjoyed it).

[livius]

I'd bet anything that the only reason Akin stayed around is because Huckabee told him he'd raise his cash for him.

I bet you're right. Huckabee is very important among the Evangelicals, and I was waiting for him to say something because I thought Rep. Elmer Gantry (aka Akin) would do whatever he said.

But I think Huckabee has messed it up again.

[Sola Veritas]

“Since I live in Missouri I feel free to correct you. Missouri is a ‘swing’ state. McCain/Palin won by a hair.”

“The majority of the population of the state reside in the KCmetro and St. Louismetro areas. They are ruled by liberals. IF Akin stays on the ballot the choice will be him or Claire.... Third party candidates usually do not have much of an impact.........What Akin needs to ‘win’ are the ever wavering sensitive so called independents.”

I am also a Missouri resident and voter. However, I disagree with your assesment of the importance of “Independent” voters...as you describe them.

This issue is still in turmoil but will settle down. When it does, Republicans and Independents (which really dislike McRascal) will go for Akin. Theo is right. Mike Huckabee is REALLY right.

God Bless Mike Huckabee.

[Sola Veritas]

“The Akin Assault by the GOP is not just another indication that social conservatives are unwelcome in the Republican Party. It is an attack designed to destroy any voice they might have.”

AMEN! Exactly correct!

I’m sorry that Akin messed up, but in a way I’m glad. He has brought it into focus how the GOP only gives lip service to social conservatism. This incident has forced the truth to the surface.

[editor-surveyor]

This is Huck’s best moment.

It’s about time he stood up for pro-life conservatives.

This attack on Akin is from Satan himself.

[P-Marlowe]

It’s interesting how what Akin allegedly said is being blown into things he never said, with the GOPe gladly contributing to the falsehoods.

It would appear that about 90% of the Freepers here are happily engaged in the ongoing smear job.

The man is pro-life and people like Rove want him gone.

There are a lot of Freepers who are in Rove's camp these days.

Either we support our troops or we lose the war. Akin is one of the troops that has been on the battle lines for conservatives for decades. But the masses here on Free Republic seem to hate him and despise him simply because he refuses to cave into the pressure from the GOP-E.

We cannot win this war if we feed our troops to the dogs.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “Yes, we already know that the liberals are backing Akin 100%.” <<

.
Spoken like a true Obaminationist!

Get your head out of your ass. We need Akin to win fool.

[editor-surveyor]

You are either delusional, or part of the loyal opposition.

Akin is our candidate, and those that attack him are doing Satan’s work.

[fifedom]

This is really sad. The $$ spent by McCaskill and the Rats on Akins primary campaign are paying off big time. Not only do they get a loose cannon who puts his mouth in motion before he puts his brain in gear. The guy implodes only a few days after the primary.

Now, as is clear from this and other threads here, they have succeeded in blowing apart the tenuous coalition between the social conservatives and, for lack, of a better word, fiscal conservatives.

Like a lot of people here, I see myself as both but there is a lot of tension between the two groups. I do not buy into this "GOPe" crap but many here do.

Now we get fools like Huckabee fanning this fire and apparently hoping it breaks apart the GOP.

Well, as the signers of the Declaration of Independence knew, we better hang together or we will all hang separately. The only thing sadder than the sorry spectacle being played out here is the shape of the U.S. after four more years of Obama. Even if Romney wins but the Rats still control the Senate, his hands will be tied and God knows what will happen if some of the conservative Supremes retire or die.

All of this for only a few million dollars.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “We need more good decent men like Akin.” <<

.
Amen!

And we need to get rid of those that are attacking our candidate.

You can bet that all those here that are attacking Akin are anti-TEA party clowns. (Zombies of the GOPe)

[editor-surveyor]

You are getting Claire McCaskill re-elected to the Senate.

You and everyone here that is doing her work attacking our candidate.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “The Republican party was way to quick to kill their own young. Instead of treating the wound they shot the patient.” <<

.
Exactly!

They were lying in wait for any kind of opportunity. They’ve twisted Akin’s statement 180 degrees from reality.