Sources: Akin may not really be in race for good

CBS/AP ^ | August 22, 2012

[rightwingintelligentsia]

(CBS/AP) Rep. Todd Akin defied the nation's top Republicans Tuesday and forged ahead with his besieged Senate bid, declaring the party was overreacting to his comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of "legitimate rape" and by insisting he abandon his campaign.

Akin pledged to carry on with his quest to unseat Democrat Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. But his bid faced tall obstacles: a lack of money, a lack of party support and no assurance that his apologies would be enough to heal a self-inflicted political wound.

--snip--

But, says Andrews, "Two sources tell CBS News Aken's real strategy here is to hang tough -- for now -- and see if that wins enough money and support to stay in the race. In others words-- his final decision to stay in--may not be final."

[donozark]

I kept waiting yesterday. 3 o’clock. 4 o’clock...then 5 o’clock. Nothing. It is now a much more complicated issue. But Akin is on the ballot...

[kempo]

What do you expect from a man who excepted 1.5 million dollars from McCaskell to help him win the Republican Primary? Nuff said.

[Derp Mountain]

There was no “insult”. This is just the LSM telling women (and all people) that they should be insulted.

[wiggen]

She will slide through. Who besides the hardcore base wil vote for this clown? It won’t matter if theres no carping from our side. The independent has been lost. The most important thing now is to not let that infect the rest of the ticket.

[colorado tanker]

Give it up, Pete. You have heard from some very strong conservative women. The comment was wrong and offensive.

I am as fed up as you about the media double standard on gaffes. But we have known about it for decades and just have to deal with it. We have to keep our eye on the ball. We have to save our country. And that depends on throwing this administration out, retaking the Senate and repealing Obamacare, among many other things. This Missouri Moron now stands in our way.

[TonyInOhio]

I do know that I am sick and tired of the Republican establishment (and now conservative pundits) throwing people under the bus at the drop of a hat for the sole purpose of political gain.

Right up until the weekend, no one knew he was bat-crap crazy.

The GOP movers and shakers are making a rational decision - do not back crazy candidates.

[Tex-Con-Man]

There was no “insult”. This is just the LSM telling women (and all people) that they should be insulted.

Women too stupid to think for themselves...you should send your resume to the Akin campaign...He needs similarly enlightened staff.

[RexBeach]

Interesting, painter. She must be very unpopular!

I do hope Mr. Akin gets out this week.

[wiggen]

One simple question Pete. And to any who are attempting to defend him.
Why are you defending him?
If he was not the nominee would you say anything in his favor?
I don’t understand any of the,what seems to me,knee jerk defense of this man. Its been written over and over and i heard it from a friend in Missouri as well that he benefited from dem crossovers trying to make him the nominee.

[MinuteGal]

Akin is playing hard-ball while waiting for a good job or appointment offer from the RNC or the Romney campaign.....or from a cooperating, highly-placed GOP businessman, or in the future Romney administration.

After all, he'll be out of a job if he withdraws, and a politician and his family must go on eating. Maybe I can't blame him if he's using this short span of time to cut the best deal he can for himself and his future.

Then again, the sunofagun may stick in there and actually win. He couldn't BUY all this publicity.....(good or bad doesn't matter as long as they spell his name right).

Leni

[Pete]

Pete, forget the “legitimate” comment. His argument was that a woman can “shut down” and therefore not get pregnant. PURE BS. Now, this reflects not a “mistake,” or some “bad information,” but a world view that doesn’t understand the essence of rape, and therefore is hugely offensive to women.

No, I don't believe that was his argument. It is a fact that there is a physiological difference between a woman who is engaging in consensual sexual intercourse and one who is being attacked. This is not hard to understand. Whether those differences are factor in conception is a matter of debate.

For example, there is not scientific consensus as to whether a female orgasm helps with conception. Here is an excerpt from one website:

A group of scientists has been trying to make the case for years that female orgasms do aid conception; that the contractions that occur during a female orgasm cause the mouth of the cervix to dip down into the vagina, suctioning up sperm. Other scientists say there’s not enough data to support the theory.

I believe Akin was referring to these types of issues in his comments. However, people who are not familiar with these debates have erroneously concluded that he was referring to the woman consciously willing it away or some such nonsense. Note, also, that he never said it was black and white. He did not say that a woman can't get pregnant from rape.

Let me say one more thing - I am not a scientist and I have not studied the data so I have no idea if there is merit to the theories mentioned above and from what I have read, I see no scientific consensus on the matter. That's not even my point. My point is that Akin's comments have been seriously mischaracterized. Sometimes intentionally and sometimes out of ignorance.

[wiggen]

just because he didn’t say ‘never get pregnant’ does not make his statement any less offensive or stupid.

[Pete]

That is what was implied and that was how it was taken by every woman whether pro-Life or not.

There is a difference between what is implied and what can be misinterpreted. If this guy actually believes that "real" rapes don't end in pregnancy, then I will be first to condemn him. But I do not believe that was his point. I do believe he spoke in such a way as to be readily misinterpreted and, more so, mischaracterized. See my post #71 above for more of how I interpreted what he meant.

[Pete]

That is what was implied and that was how it was taken by every woman whether pro-Life or not.

There is a difference between what is implied and what can be misinterpreted. If this guy actually believes that "real" rapes don't end in pregnancy, then I will be first to condemn him. But I do not believe that was his point. I do believe he spoke in such a way as to be readily misinterpreted and, more so, mischaracterized. See my post #71 above for more of how I interpreted what he meant.

[misharu]

Turbo, I stand with you. Great post.

Those outside of Missouri really don't understand the dynamics in this state. I am glad that Akin took a stand and stayed in. And I still think he can beat the crap out of her in the general election. After all, AirClaire has just too much dirt on her. And it always helps that Missourians are really sick and tired of her and obama.

[ncalburt]

I suspect Huckster is involved here to promote his failing radio show .
That destructive force that caused us to be stuck with mcCain had the fool on twice
In two days and promoted him in the primary .

[pwatson]

Pete your not apparently understanding the real world of politics. We have to take the Senate to reverse Obama Care and a host of other anit-constitution laws. They have stopped every thing the tea pary house has passed. Its all about the majority of the senate and what part controls the legislation. That is way beyond an individual. Winning the Senate is the issue here not this poor guy who shot himself in the foot. We can not afford to have a self wounded person is this War.

[greene66]

Yes, that’s the implication I got when I first heard the quote. It was just skin-crawlingly ghastly. And I’m certainly pro-life and every bit a social conservative. Akin has a terrific voting record and is undoubtedly an extremely decent man, but when your communication/messaging skills are so horrid as to not only undermine your cause, but leave almost everyone viscerally recoiling... that’s a pretty darned deadly flaw. More than just a minor gaffe or slip-of-the-tongue.

Can’t imagine him ever coming close to winning now that he’s managed to define himself as the “creepy GOP Rape Guy.”

[Pete]

One simple question Pete. And to any who are attempting to defend him. Why are you defending him? If he was not the nominee would you say anything in his favor? I don’t understand any of the,what seems to me,knee jerk defense of this man. Its been written over and over and i heard it from a friend in Missouri as well that he benefited from dem crossovers trying to make him the nominee.

I am used to Democrats and the media lying and mischaraterizing what someone says in order to destroy them. What pisses me off is seeing Republicans do it to one of their own. What really pisses me off is seeing Conservatives I have respected doing it. I understand the balance of power in the Senate but this is a Faustian bargain. It is also a reaction by the Republican establishment that is based on fear and a lack of trust in the electorate. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.

[Pete]

Pete your not apparently understanding the real world of politics. We have to take the Senate to reverse Obama Care and a host of other anit-constitution laws. They have stopped every thing the tea pary house has passed. Its all about the majority of the senate and what part controls the legislation. That is way beyond an individual. Winning the Senate is the issue here not this poor guy who shot himself in the foot. We can not afford to have a self wounded person is this War.

See my #79 above.