[pistolpackinpapa]

My point is that there is no way of telling whether the 11 point advantage disappeared because of the power of the gaffe itself or because of the friendly fire.
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Strangely enough, the “fire” was not very damn “friendly”. I still say, regardless, Akin should have dropped out, maintained his Congressional Seat and had a legacy of honor and respect. Now, he will never win another Election and his legacy will be one of disdain for a self-serving politician who put his own ambitions above his State and Country.

[nathanbedford]

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.