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As I understand Missouri law, Brunner and Steelman, since they lost in the primary (second and third, respectively), would not be eligible to run, either as the replacement candidate or as a write-in. Even if Brunner or Steelman were eligible, I don't think either one would be the best choice.

Akin has until September 25 to withdraw, provided he gets a court order, and then a replacement would be named by the state GOP committee. If I were on that committee, I would suggest Ann Wagner or, secondarily, Kit Bond. Jo Ann Emerson would be--well, she'd be a lot better than McCaskill. But Wagner or Bond would be a better choice for the replacement candidate, both in terms of electability and conservative voting.

I live in Akin's district, where Ann Wagner is running for that seat, and I work in Jo Ann Emerson's district.

If Akin stays in, I'll vote for him, but barring a strong turnaround by him--and I don't think he has it in him--right now I see his ceiling in the 40-46% range, and it could go lower. Akin has a solid conservative record, and I've voted for him for the House, but this is a safe district, and he's not had to do much to win. I voted for Akin in the Senate primary--I didn't care for either Brunner or Steelman that much--on the basis of how he pushes the button on votes, not on how he speaks on the hot seat. I found out the latter too late. He's not too good at this politics thing on the big stage.

Good post. Generally how one “pushes the buttons” is my #1 consideration. This, however, is a campaign in which this race affects the whole senate and just possibly the presidency. I din’t know the people you refer to in MO, but anyone short of an Olympia Snow will “push the button” to repeal Obamacare. McCaskill won’t.

Thanks for your information and insight.

I have no knowledge of Wagner but know Emerson's past statements and voting record would lose the conservative vote across MO. JoAnn's district might appreciate her "moderate" votes and comments but that won't get her far across the State.

As for Kit, I think most voters think he's past tense.

I’ll gladly vote for Wagner but the idea of dragging out Kit Bond doesn’t sit well with me. As I recall, he wasn’t very conservative toward the end. I remember writing him a lot! Lol! Also, it seems there was a scandal brewing, maybe his connection to Abramson? Not sure, I’ll have to look it up?

Akin might not be good on the “big stage” but he is a fine decent man. I don't trust Jo Ann Emerson on the pro-life issue. I think Akin can win Missouri and I also think he will stay in. We need a lot of people praying for this to happen. I am so angry at the GOP hiacharcy with their distasteful comments on Akin that I could barf. And people like Ann Coulter make me sick. All these people have made verbal mistakes and have expected people to give them some slax but with Todd Akin they eat their own. You wouldn't find the Rats doing that. In fact they are having Bill Clinton speak at their so called "respect women night" at their convention. This certainly is in your face to the voters. Bill Clinton is the worst woman abuser this country has ever seen. Why cannot the GOP see what harm they do by pouncing on Akin?