Akin is the one who blew it. That question should be posed to him.
If we have a good election nationally and Barry is sent packing, I am not so gloomy, with or without Akin remaining in the race. Every single election there are one or more Republican candidates whose candidacies go horribly awry. It does not have to upset the whole applecart unless everyone on our side goes all wobbly. Also, there are more Senate seats where, in a bad year for Democrats, the Republican candidates can do better than currently expected (Mass., Maine, Conn.....). The other point is that although controlling the Senate is great, we never had any chance of having 60 Republicans, let alone 60 conservatives. So the whole notion of a conservative Senate juggernaut was a bit of fantasy. This Akin (who outside of Mo. had even heard of this guy a few days ago?) does not have to become the focus nationally unless we collectively roll over and allow the MSM to dictate the terms of battle. I think we need to toughen up!