Establishment and grassroots conservatives start rallying around Ann Wagner to replace Akin

The Washington Times ^ | August 22, 2012 | Kerry Picket

[Charles Henrickson]

Could Missouri Republican Ann Wagner be the answer that GOP'ers are looking for? Although the first deadline passed for embattled Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri Republican, to withdraw from his U.S. Senate race against Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, without a court order and a fine, grassroots and Washington D.C. establishment conservatives I have spoken to are beginning to rally behind Ann Wagner.

She is currently running for Mr. Akin's 2nd Congressional district seat and is said to have supporters asking her to run against McCaskill should Akin leave the Missouri Senate race before the next September deadline passes. According to her bio page on her campaign website for the 2nd district. . . .

< snip >

With a conservative support network around the state, the very articulate Wagner is best suited to take on Sen. McCaskill. The true test for Mrs. Wagner will be if Missouri and the nation call, will she take on the risk and Claire McCaskill? If Wagner's track record of taking on any challenge with a smile gives any indication, McCaskill might have numerous sleepless nights ahead wishing she had not gone after Todd Akin too early.

[Charles Henrickson]

I have been advocating for Ann Wagner as the best choice to replace Akin, doing so here since Monday afternoon. I think she would do well. Solid conservative, pro-life, can think and speak on her feet, comes across well on TV, neutralizes the gender issue, etc. I think she would have a much better chance than Akin of beating McCaskill.

I live in the district that Akin represents and Wagner is running for.

[Not A Snowbird]

I’ve heard they could possibly trade places... Akin run for reelection in his old seat and Wagner run against McCaskill.

That would be great if they could pull it off.

[Charles Henrickson]

I think Ann Wagner would be a better choice than the other names that have been floated: Kit Bond, Jim Talent, John Ashcroft, or John Danforth (the four former senators); John Brunner or Sarah Steelman (the primary runners-up); Tom Schweich (state auditor); or Jo Ann Emerson (U.S. representative).

And I don't think Akin has it in him to get out of the hole he's dug for himself. If he doesn't show strong signs of polling recovery by next week, he really needs to drop out, before the Democrat Convention.

What do you think?

[dalebert]

they are going to lose that seat thanks to a big mouth who couldnt think before he opens it. just like joe but joe is always pardoned.Akin not,

[Charles Henrickson]

I’ve heard they could possibly trade places... Akin run for reelection in his old seat and Wagner run against McCaskill. That would be great if they could pull it off.

While I have voted, and would vote, for Akin, I really think he needs to drop out of sight entirely for this election cycle, and do so by Labor Day. His mere presence on any ballot, even in this safe district, would give the Dems needless ammo.

Perhaps Jim Talent could be persuaded to run for his old congressional seat. I think he'd win. Or, if they can't find anyone else, put me on the ballot! ;^) Any Republican should be able to win in this district.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

She’d be great.

[colorado tanker]

I'm not as close to it as you, but it seems to me Akin has to be replaced. He can't recover from this IMHO.

We had a noob with foot in mouth disease lose a very winnable open Senate seat here two years ago. These opportunities don't come around very often.-

[Not A Snowbird]

I’d vote for you. :-)

[PhxTM06]

In a sane world, Wagner would have been the candidate from the get-go and the Missouri GOP would have told Akin to stay in his district and STFU.

[elephant]

Are you working for McKatKiller campaign? Do you live in Missouri?

[donozark]

I was in for Steelman, but now? Afraid if she or Brunner get the nod there may be a food fight between the two. Unless they can work it out ahead of time.

Leaning toward Ann Wagner. Go off the reservation this time. She will neutralize the "rape thingy" and we can get on with defeating Mother McCaskill.

But who knows what goes on behind closed doors...

[RaisingCain]

If the seat is lost, it’s because of the GOPe and the sheep-like “conservatives” who chose to crucify a solid conservative who has served for a number of years over a single mistake. Baa baa, follow what Sean Vannity and Mitt Romney and Ann Coulter told you to do.

[elephant]

Obama and McKatKiller hate Akin because he is too conservative and Akin has been a thorn in both of their side.

[InterceptPoint]

Have we heard anything definitive vis a vis the ins and outs of the Court Order route? What happens if you run into a very Dem judge who just wants to mess things up for the GOP?

[Charles Henrickson]

I think the court order could be done without too much of a problem.

[dalebert]

Its just another career politician..

[Biggirl]

She could do much better and can take the fight to Sen. Clare.

[ansel12]

The problem with your recommendations, are that anyone looking at your posting history for the past couple of years, sees that you aren’t for moving the party right, you always seem to be of the Romney/Rove/Rockefeller flavor republican.

[Biggirl]

No, because Rep. Akin did not do the right thing for both the GOOD of Missouri and the USA at a time of a very, very important major election. He put his own interests FIRST and NOT the interest of both MO and the USA.

[PhxTM06]

No, but I’m pretty sure you’re working for Obama Claire. Perhaps you should go back to DU and tell them that the tactics aren’t working, Akin will dropout and then Claire’s whole re-election plan is going to fall apart.