Glad to see that at least some of my fellow VA posters did their homework! As to the oft alleged "hayseedism" Akin's father was third generation Harvard grad ...hardly "a bunch of hicks." The three Marines are/were commissioned officers and all Naval Academy grads ...Perry Akin, the son who is campaign manager, was a Marine 1st Lieutenant w/combat engineers during the battle of Fallujah for which he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat “V.” (one level below the Bronze Star; arguably more significant than a Bronze Star lacking the combat “V”)
Link: http://www.marine-corps-news.com/2005/09/heros_awarded_purple_hearts_co.htm
He's a fine fellow and his children are Great Americans. But, he can't win this race, perhaps the only person in the entire state of Missouri who cannot beat McCaskill.