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My concern is not about the honor of Todd Akin but about the honor of the Republican Party.

The establishment has argued that this is not a matter of loyalty or honor but of practicality, one might say pragmatism. The Todd Akin affair is noteworthy because it highlights the vacuousness of the Republican Party when it is challenged for alleged breaches of political correctness.

In conceding the fate of Mr. Akin, we have conceded the argument. Does that argument in this case also include abortion? Why did we not mount an immediate counterattack on the Democrat support of partial-birth abortion. All one has to do is read the opinion of Justice Kennedy in the partial birth abortion case to have one's blood run cold by his graphic description of the deed. Are we incapable of being as effective in public speech on the stump as a justice of the Supreme Court is in his lonely chamber?

The personal fate of Todd Akin is not very relevant in itself except as a reflects on the Republican Party and its effect in intimidating potential candidates away from running for office and away from speaking out on social issues.

.....the Republican Party and its effect in intimidating potential candidates....away from speaking out on social issues.
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Speaking out on Social Issues is fine. I’m a Pro-Life voter. But, damn, let’s do it intelligently. You don’t make a statement inferring that if it is a “legitimate” rape a woman’s body automatically shuts down and prevents a pregnancy. That’s like saying: “If you run a legitimate business, a thief will never rob your store.” If the guy is dumb enough to make this blunder, what else is he capable of? His statement was insensitive at best.

Lieutenant General Bedford,

first a thank you for making the effort to describe the habit and consequences of republicans that form a circular firing squad to dismiss one of their ranks that misspeak.

I agree that should the goon squad have at least held their fire as there is indeed the possibility that Akins could have endured this mess and won this senate race.

Not to excuse or justify this habit, but you employ a premise that is tenuous and I will describe: you argue that the proper response to a gaffe such as this is with explanation and sound reasoning. Unfortunately, most, at least a majority of women voters are not rational. They prefer the handsome, slick talkin', soaring oratory, State Provider kind of candidate. As Mediscare is an effective tool on the elderly so is Womens Whatever is to most women. Republicans are held to a higher set of standards than Gimmidats who enjoy a fawning press. My point here is that Akins should have had memorized pat responses to these utterly predictable questions but yet it seems to me he was Winging It and failed. This is perhaps the reason he is being treated in such a manner. It is his judgement that is at issue not his principles.

Republicans must run against the Santa Claus party and this requires discipline and focus. Akins demonstrated neither in this unfortunate moment. Ultimately the circular firing squad made things worse and this is a subject that should be part of a more disciplined party future.

Excellent commentary NB! You have put my thoughts about the Rotten Republican attack on Akin into words. This is a Political Party that is not honorable in any way and with Romney and Co. installed it will only get worse.

The personal fate of Todd Akin is not very relevant in itself except as a reflects on the Republican Party and its effect in intimidating potential candidates away from running for office and away from speaking out on social issues.

Agreed. It is by no coincidence that Akin's grass roots fundraising campaign these last couple days (as he's been cut off financially by the GOP) has been labeled the "Help Todd Fight Against the Party Bosses" campaign. I do hope the Republican Party comes back around and quits trying to make war with its conservative base. But my hopes seem not yet to be painted in reality.