text:
Mitt Romney, Todd Akin, Gen. Patton, George Armstrong Custer, and Jack Woltz
So Todd Akin — against the urging of just about every Republican with an IQ higher than room temperature — has decided to stay in the race against the former sure loser, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. If Mitt Romney wants to show conservatives he has the right stuff, it's time for the political equivalent of a Jack Woltz wake-up call.
Akin, almost completely unknown outside the Show-Me State until a few days ago, has just thumbed his nose at Mitt, Paul Ryan, a group of former Missouri Republican senators, and most of the conservative punditocracy. If Romney — up against a Chicago machine that is equal parts Al Capone and Saul Alinsky — lets this insult go unanswered, it bodes poorly for him in the upcoming election.
Yes, yes — I know about party rules, and how helpless the national GOP is against a rogue like Akin; shades of Weepy John Boehner, whining that he's only one half of one third of… zzzzzzzzz. It's as if the entire Republican Party has become the Circumlocution Office in Dickens' Little Dorrit, dedicated to explaining why nothing can ever be done — about anything:
It is true that How not to do it was the great study and object of all public departments and professional politicians all round the Circumlocution Office. It is true that every new premier and every new government, coming in because they had upheld a certain thing as necessary to be done, were no sooner come in than they applied their utmost faculties to discovering How not to do it. It is true that from the moment when a general election was over, every returned man who had been raving on hustings because it hadn't been done, and who had been asking the friends of the honourable gentleman in the opposite interest on pain of impeachment to tell him why it hadn't been done, and who had been asserting that it must be done, and who had been pledging himself that it should be done, began to devise, How it was not to be done…. All this is true, but the Circumlocution Office went beyond it.
Well, this is not the time for How Not to Do It. Romney and Ryan are not stupid; they can see what a tough shot control of the Senate is going to be, even should this turn out to be an anti-Obama wave election. Thanks to the moral cowardice of Chief Justice John Roberts, which will live in infamy, repeal of Obamacare hinges on control of the Senate — and yet Akin now bids fair to join Sharron Angle and Christine O'Donnell as part of an unholy trio whose ineptitude cost the GOP victory in one of the most important philosophical battles of the modern era. At least he's not a witch.
But if you're apologizing, you're already losing, and as Akin's imaginary "lead" over McCaskill evaporates over the new few days, it's going to become increasingly apparent that the War of 2012 may already have been lost at the Battle of Missouri. And for what?
Spare me Ronald Reagan's Eleventh Commandment about speaking ill of Republicans, or the notion that conservatives should always and everywhere defend "their own," or that the only acceptable battle strategy is constantly to be on the attack. Quoting Frederick the Great, General Patton's motto was "l'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace," but audacity in battle is not synonymous with a cavalry charge into artillery fire or a horde of hostiles. Just ask Lord Raglan at Balaclava or George Armstrong Custer at the Little Bighorn. As I said over on NRO's The Corner yesterday:
This isn't about abortion or rape or "women's health." Nor is it about "defending our own" and not capitulating to the Left. (Heck, in this case, the Left wants Akin to stay in the race.) It's about winning control of the U.S. Senate and putting a crucial swing state into the GOP column in November. Nothing — nothing — else matters.
If the GOP could think tactically, it would be dangerous. If it could think strategically, it would be a majority party. But it has too many Akins in it for either of those things ever to happen.
Besides, it's simply not true that the GOP always panics and flees from its radioactive candidates while the Democrats brazen theirs out. Or have we all forgotten the distinguished but hopelessly corrupt senator from New Jersey, Robert Torricelli, "the Torch," whose blatantly illegal replacement by Frank Lautenberg in 2002 has come to be known as the "Torricelli Option."
And yet all is not lost. Akin still has until Sept. 25 to do the right thing, or to be subjected to a little friendly persuasion and be replaced by a remarkably lifelike cardboard box, or even a live human being, should it come to that. And then the focus can be back on the ethically challenged McCaskill, where it rightfully belongs.
That's something that only Romney can make happen, indirectly. Much more pressure can be brought to bear on the hapless Akin, including a discreet phone call from Mitch McConnell explaining that, in the unlikely event of an Akin victory, he will be heading up the new Senate Select Committee on KP and Latrine Duty in perpetuity, which will operate out of a subterranean broom closet at an undisclosed but dangerous location somewhere in Anacostia with a staff budget of approximately $2.47 per annum.
Romney's already shown that Mormons can be as ruthless as anybody – think of Howard Hughes' "Mormon Mafia" as his role models — both at Bain Capital and in disposing of Newt Gingrich and his other rivals for the GOP nomination. Neither his nor Ryan's fingerprints need be on this. But heading into the convention — and you can bet the David Axelrod Democrats are poised to make maximum hay out of this one, and in fact are already trying to tie him to Ryan via their compliant media lackeys — Romney cannot afford to be seen as incapable of enforcing party discipline, especially when his own election is at stake.
In short, it doesn't matter how it happens; it matters that it happens, and quickly. Let's see if Mitt's up to the challenge.
UPDATE: Akin is already collapsing: From Rasmussen:
What a difference one TV interview can make. Embattled Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill has now jumped to a 10-point lead over her Republican challenger, Congressman Todd Akin, in Missouri's U.S. Senate race. Most Missouri Republicans want Akin to quit the race while most Missouri Democrats want him to stay.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Show Me State finds McCaskill earning 48% support to Akin's 38%. Nine percent (9%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided.
Wonder what the Akin defenders have to say now.
158 Comments, 47 Threads
1. arhooley
But what if Romney shouted and stamped his foot and Akin the Impervious still refused to quit? (Actually, I bet he'd love the KP and Latrine Committee.)
So how fast can Sarah Steelman get a write-in or third party run going?
August 22, 2012 - 12:55 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Michael Walsh
As I understand the law, she can't — if you've been on a primary ballot, you can't run as a write-in. It would have to be somebody like Bond or Talent or Ann Wagner, who's currently running for Akin's seat.
August 22, 2012 - 1:10 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
tom Perkins
What! Please. Any such law is on it's face unconstitutional.
Doesn't matter if the Roberts court gets it wrong again, the point is to abjectly insulate every other candidate from Akinitis.August 22, 2012 - 4:43 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Fred Beloit
"…and as Akin's imaginary "lead" over McCaskill evaporates over the new few days, it's going to become increasingly apparent that the War of 2012 may already have been lost at the Battle of Missouri. And for what?"
Overly torqued is no way to convey understanding, Mike. If I had your opinion of the voting public in the US, that they would throw out every Repub including their own Presidential candidate in the next election because of one dumb sentence by one candidate speaking only for himself, then I would I would no longer be interested in writing for them. But don't resign. Instead get a grip .
August 22, 2012 - 11:44 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
"If the GOP could think tactically, it would be dangerous. If it could think strategically, it would be a majority party. But it has too many Akins in it for either of those things ever to happen."
Someone has to get fired up. A strategic plan by the GOP DOESN'T exist; it's obvious by the way they're doing things. "We Built This" – That's a real stunner (not); my goodness this stuff can be depressing. The GOP is history, but that's a good and necessary thing for the emergence by 2016 of a party that honors the vision of the Founders and the God in whom We Trust.
August 23, 2012 - 12:22 am Link to this Comment | Reply
Well-written piece by Walsh.
To all my Conservative brethren who are reluctant to dismiss Akin, and who feel an obligation to support him…Please, try to understand this: we can not afford to make gaffes and think fairness will kick in by the MSM. Akin is an apparent self-seeking fool who has no clue what he has done, or the consequences in the big picture. He seems to have a personality defect in which, the more people who try to reason with him and convince him he needs to get out, the more stubborn he becomes. He has put himself in a box where now he looks stupid no matter what course of action he takes.
He has changed the whole narrative of the Campaign, and has helped the Democrats more than any Democrat could.August 22, 2012 - 12:03 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
The thing I don't understand here is that if any fellow conservatives have listened to interviews of this man they will see clearly that he is just another politician in it for himself. This guy is not worth defending over anything. Not only does he believe in some bizarre theory about conception during rape but he's also a weasel. He's thrown a giant monkey wrench in a crucial election and he's staying in the race for his own benefit. That's not something you defend.
If he wins the tea party needs to oust this man in the next primary election. Sara Palin needs to come out publicly and say that is what she will work on doing.
August 22, 2012 - 8:57 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
I don't understand why you keep calling yourself a Conservative.
The Tea Party will not "oust" Todd Akin, who:
* Voted against TARP – TWICE
* Voted against the Debt Ceiling increase
* Voted against NDAAThe Tea Party platform and Todd Akin's philosophical views are matched, not opposed. You have no idea what's going on inside Todd Akin's mind. You read a story, had an opinion, and couldn't wait to share it to the internet.
August 23, 2012 - 11:47 am Link to this Comment | Reply
OR.. there is yet another possibility.. that Akin is medically correct… and he is. In cases of assault rape a woman's body has a number of mechanisms that are brought into play that greatly reduce the chance of conception. The research is there…. and apparently Akin is aware of it. These same mechanisms do not come into play in cases where an encounter is not a forcible assault, but are yet "reported" as rape… statutory rape, or cases where the woman later decides to call what is, in reality, consensual sex a rape… not legitimately so. Akin was obviously referring to cases where the victim is violently or forcibly assaulted. The medical stuies are there to back up his claim.
Further, Akins has a position on abortion.. a rare one these days… which opposes ANY abortion for ANY reason.. including the result of forcible, assault rape.. a "legitimate rape" in his terminology. I agree with his stance.
Let this race be handled in his riding, let the voters who have carried him this far continue to do so… or not. The entire history of the world only depends upon this one man's decision for those who are looking for a scapegoat for their own failure. If Romney falls over this issue, he's already beaten even if Todd Akin evaporates tomorrow at four seventeen PM Eastern Time…… OR because now Romney's put his foot into his mouth and we know he's not truly pro life, many who had been consdiering him will now vote for someone else who holds a stronger pro0life position.
Face it.. if LIFE is not held in highest esteem, what matter any of the other "issues" of today? We rail on Obama for his "death panels" but oppose a man who has the principle and spine to uphold life in EVERY instance? What, no spine any more? THAT is the problem. And it is not Akin's problem.August 23, 2012 - 1:15 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Mark v
If that's all true, it doesn't change anything.
The problem is with "legitimate" rape.
The man used the wrong word. He probably meant, "actual" rape, as opposed to "I changed my mind the next morning" rape.
A good communicator and tactician would have stomped this tempest into a teapot very quickly and moved on.
Akin is neither. He will not be ABLE to move on, and he is now a tremendous liability.
August 23, 2012 - 9:11 am Link to this Comment | Reply
Studious Citizen
Karl Rove spearheaded the effort to throw Akin under the bus by threatening to pull $5 million in funding for Missouri races. There is no "conservative" call for Akin to drop out. It is entirely comprised of RINOs, and Romney has pissed me off with his eagerness to destroy yet another conservative's career over NOTHING. Yes, that's right. Nothing.
August 22, 2012 - 5:09 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Agreed, Citizen.
Does it bother you how many people keep saying "anybody but Obama"? It bothers the hell out of me.
Romney seems so close to Obama in government philosophy.
I've been wondering a lot lately if Germany had posters with slogans like, "Anybody but Hindenburg". Do you think that's how people felt back then?
August 23, 2012 - 11:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply
2. Mr. Able
I don't think Akin is enough to lose the election. We've gone through Gay Marriage, Private Equity is the Devil, Gun Control, Gay Marriage Again, and finally Tax Records. None of those attacks got much traction, I doubt that Abortion will do much either. That said, Akin's an idiot.
August 22, 2012 - 1:39 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
3. Ronald J. Ward
I think you underestimate the damage of the forced conversation. You may be able to sweep Akin under the rug but it looks like the conversation is here to stay.
August 22, 2012 - 4:04 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
4. X Contra
Forget Woltz. Think Frank Pentangeli.
If Barack "Hyman Roth" Obama sees that I interceded with you in the Lamestream "Rosato Brothers" Media's favor, he'll think his relationship with me is still sound.
August 22, 2012 - 4:11 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
5. inspectorudy
Akin is now the "Symbol" of the war on women by the republican party. If he remains in the race it will stick and will be brought up by the msm jihadist at every occasion. Akin remarked that he wanted to move on to the issues but he is too dim to understand that he will not be allowed to move on. McCaskill will make his stupid remarks her campaign slogan just like Romney/Ryan have made "You didn't build that" their slogan. Obama is angry daily over that slogan and it stings him deeply. Akin will have every word he utters bisected and dissected to find anti-female meanings. Romney needs to fly to Missouri to implore Akin to step aside and if that fails he should plead with the people of Missouri that they need to mount a state wide campaign for a write in candidate and win this seat for the good of our country. Romney needs to personally lead on this and not simply make remarks in the press.
August 22, 2012 - 4:20 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Not to go "off topic" too much, but you did mention Obama's, "You didn't build that!".
Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.
Isn't the above basically what Obama said with his You didn't build that!" and a number of other comments he has made, just not as eloquently as the above?
Guess who said the above.
His initials are VL.
August 22, 2012 - 5:02 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
"…as his numbers go down…" Assumption, let's see his numbers in a couple days. Why can't Romney go to Mo and plead for the voters to elect Akin for the good of our country? His track record (NRA, NEA, NRL) are a conservative's dream, get the rinos to get the conversation back on point.
August 22, 2012 - 6:11 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Jim Baker
Akin is a Democrat Party plant. This is politics 101. If you can't win the election because your candidate( McCaskill ) is too weak or very unpopular with the voters, figure out a way to get an unelectable opponent nominated. They did it because the Tea Party is too inept to know how easily they can be manipulated by political adversaries. Another reason to avoid third party politics. Akin is not what he has been advertized to be. He is not what the Tea Party has in mind. He is a planted election bomb and he is going off now. There will be others. The entire welfare state agenda is on the line if the Democrats lose the Senate. They will do anything to retain the Senate and this is just the harbinger incident. We will have to beat them by electing this turd and then finding a way to get rid of him, I guess. Good luck with that all you Missouri Tea Party boobs. ABO2012
August 22, 2012 - 7:30 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Akin isn't the "Tea Party candidate". Speaking of boobs.
August 22, 2012 - 10:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Thanks for unmasking yourself, Nationalist Progressive Socialist.
Wow, but establishment types like this website. I'm not terribly surprised since you hear your own ideology reverberating back at you via Mike Walsh and others. Still, you don't really have much of a clue. I love the idiots who say "Akin is a Democrat Party plant". Wow. Just wow.
Todd Akin has lead the Tea Party in Missouri. He's consistently voted correctly on fiscal and policy issues (one of the few who voted against the Debt Limit increase and against NDAA). He's been a great Representative for my district.
And now he said something dumb, about a dumb subject, to an openly Communist Charles Jaco. Yep. That sucks. And yet he's 20x the Constitutional Conservative Steelman is, and he's 1000x more so over Brunner. John Brunner won't even answer a question about the Founders if you ask him. He can't tell you a single specific action he'll take or specific regulation he'll fight or specific law he'd repeal.
Brunner is a wealthy Progressive who wants to start at the top, as opposed to gaining some experience and working his way up.
By the by, Missourians hate being told how to think. You can F yourself.
Best Regards.
August 22, 2012 - 2:53 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Jim Baker
I assume you were calling me a Socialist? Do you have some information about me that I never had? If you would go to the archives of PJM and start with my 2004 postings you might get a better understanding of who I am. Is Jaycen a new moniker, because I haven't seen it very often in these precincts. I give you credit for knowing more about Akin than I do, because he does not represent my district. But I do take exception to your final comment if it was directed at me, in which case "Asshat" might be a better calling card for you.
August 24, 2012 - 6:31 pm Link to this Comment
Studious Citizen
Democrats backed Akin because they think he's "too conservative".
McCaskill ran at least three ads every hour leading up to the primary calling Akin "Too Conservative for Missouri". Every "negative" in his record listed in the ad was really a positive for any conservative. I found myself saying "Yes, and that's why I'm voting for him!" whenever the ad aired.
They backed him because they thought he'd be easy to defeat. But they're gauging the Missouri electorate wrong. We're all thoroughly pissed off at McCaskill, including most voting independents.
August 22, 2012 - 5:12 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
You nailed it Citizen.
My wife and I laughed at exacty those same ads. As you said, every single point was like, "Exactly! That's why he's the better candidate. Are you kidding me?"
Like receiving television transmissions in Bizaro World. "Hate this man, because he wants to end welfare, he called Socialist Security a stage-3 cancer, he wants to cut government funding for college students…"
Because those things are bad for our country and our economy. It's the government spending money where the market normally wouldn't.
God, but it's crazy. The worst part is so many so-called Conservatives slandering him. Worse, it's so-called Conservatives who don't even live in Missouri, have no clue who he is, and they're the same idiots who want me to vote for Romney.
My stomach turns when I think about it. For the first time in my life, I'm conficted on how to vote this time around. I'm seriously fighting the urge to vote for Obama. The strategic part of my mind screams we need to really drive the point home with Americans, and give ourselves another 4 years to flush out the Prog trash and come up with a better option next time around.
August 22, 2012 - 8:53 pm Link to this Comment
6. sinz54
The more Romney tries to get Akin out of the race, the more Akin and his social-conservative supporters will dig in their heels and refuse.
Because that will look like exactly what they hate: An "Establishment RINO" who is known to have flip-flopped on abortion, trying to force a "true conservative" out of the race.
I wish Sarah Palin would lead the charge to get Akin out. Conservatives like her more than they like Romney, and if she told him to get out, they might listen. He might listen.
August 22, 2012 - 4:33 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Maybe Sarah Palin believes elections have consequences. The voters of Missouri spoke. Now, the job of Repubpicans is to get Akin elected. Period. That is what we are being told with respect to Romney. The Democrats made an art of forcing opponents out of elections before the election. Like Jack Ryan. Like the Democrat opponents of Obama in his first state senate primary. But it is a new achievement for Republicans to Alinsky their own candidate. Truly genius. Destroy the candidate and tell all those who just voted for him in the primary that they are morons and a bunch of out of state carpetbaggers know better. Brilliant.
August 22, 2012 - 9:48 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
AMEN, brother!
Holy crap, you nailed it right on the head.
I'm supposed to swallow Obamney as an excellent Republican leader to replace Rombama. Yet, Todd Akin, who stands in STARK FRIGGING CONTRAST to Claire McCaskill is a horrible option who must commit ritual suicide WHILE KISSING MIKE WALSH's ring.
Explain to me again why I should support Rombama instead of giving you douchebags another 4 years of Obamney hell? You clearly haven't learned your lessons. Hey, look, Wilson couldn't destroy the country in 8 years, and FDR couldn't do it in 12. You want me to be terrified of another 4 years of Internationalist Progressivism? Why?
I'm patient, and I'll wait it out. That gives Tea Partiers like me another 4 years to continue flushing the TRASH out of the Republican Party so next time, we'll put up a GOOD candidate. By then, even the Nationalist Progressives who call themselves Republicans will be BEGGING for a Constitutional Conservative.
I bet they'd even take one who says the occasional dumb remark.
August 22, 2012 - 3:03 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
You make the assumption that we will have to opportunity have an election in 4 years. This is end game of a 100 year progressive plan. This may be the only exit remaining on the highway before you find the bridge is out with no more warning signs. While I have no say in your states politics, they do affect me. Vote for who you have, but vote. If you chose not to vote you give the other side two, one to equal yours and the one to beat it. As a TEA Party Patriot I realize we are late to the game, we have made strong moves in the last 3 years but the progressives started in 1912 and we are playing catch up. They have succeeded because we have set back for decades and said just wait until next time.
If you are a Patriot stand up, and when we win this time keep standing up hand hold their feet to the fire. If we sit this one out or sit down because we won a round we will be the generation that lost this shining city on the hill and the light of freedom will be extinguished for a very long time. I will not allow it to happen in my watch.August 26, 2012 - 4:29 am Link to this Comment | Reply
Studious Citizen
I, for one, will not have the rest of you telling me my vote was stupid. Most of you didn't know who Todd Akin was until Charles Jaco (who, by the way, is a foul-mouthed hard leftist POS, even by our local media standards) successfully harvested an exploitable sound bite.
Akin has represented my district in particular for a number of years, and every time I've contacted his office in opposition to some statist infringement or another conservative cause, he has responded, and always in agreement with conservative values. The man has never run a negative ad in his career, and he prides himself on that fact.
Looking at the beltway establishment figures who led the charge to get him to withdraw, it becomes clear why they despise him. After all, who among you trust the judgement of Karl Rove?
August 22, 2012 - 5:17 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
She has, indirectly, by suggesting a third party candidate.
August 22, 2012 - 3:28 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
If Akins insists on staying in, we are just going to have to adopt him as our Whoopi Goldberg.
Hey, it's not like he said "you better put some ice on that".
August 22, 2012 - 4:35 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
8. FeralCat
Romney needs to go all William Tecumseh Sherman on Imam Akin and burn him to the ground.
August 22, 2012 - 4:59 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
9. spinoneone
While Akin's malapropism was a whopper, it nonetheless has many supporters in Missouri, and, that being said, among a significant element of Republican conservatives everywhere. That is: abortion is not permitted under any circumstance.
Akin's chance of winning in Missouri is still 55-45. That may be better than Mitt's chance of winning the Presidency.
August 22, 2012 - 5:03 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
And dropping out this late in the game with no viable replacement, to GUARANTEE a loss to a Democrat, to relinquish ANY hope for a victory, does what exactly?Curry favor with the media?
Make them "like" or "respect" us more?
Tone down the perpetual smears hate and violence from the Left and their denial/enablers?
Its all stick, no carrot no matter WHAT happens, even if he drops out .And I really, REALLY like the authors take on victory: "…in the unlikely event of an Akin victory, he will be heading up the new Senate Select Committee on KP and Latrine Duty in perpetuity"
And why would that be?
For not capitulating to a Democrat in advance?
For daring to win an election in the face of media inspired
tempest in a tea-pot?Way to go guys…quit and lose, or else we'll punish you for winning.
Gee, that's such a GREAT plan.Country Club RINOS need to stop worrying so much about the Cool Parties and The Beautiful People.
They hate us.
All of us.
You'll never be accepted no matter how many of US you throw under the bus.So just stop trying.
Your writing careers, connections, perks and access and "moderate reputations" are not my problem.Democrats and the media are.
Surrendering to them without a fight only makes them STRONGER, stupid
August 22, 2012 - 8:20 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
So in your world, the voting population of Missouri that would support a Republican candidate consists entirely of evangelical Christians who have no problem with Akin's comments?
Yeah, that sounds like a winning strategy – no need for those pesky independents, moderate Republicans, or crossover Democrats who are disgusted with McCaskill. Not when we can have absolute party purity on abortion.
Tell me, how will you feel when the most vulnerable Democrat in America walks across the finish line, unscathed. And what will that do for the cause of the unborn?
August 22, 2012 - 9:18 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
I can't worry abut the unborn when the undead are in charge.
August 22, 2012 - 9:27 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
The Root '83
So, youre saying we have a chance if he bows out now?
What about the people who DID vote for him in the primary?
Some elitist outsiders get to decide their choices are now?
I cant vote their, so I think I'll let THEM decide
August 22, 2012 - 12:39 pm Link to this Comment | Reply -
I'm not a Christian. I do, however, believe in God.
I don't support what Akin said. I think it was a stupid thing to say.
Unlike you, I live in Missouri in Akin's district. I've met the man. He allowed me to chew his ear for 45 minutes on history, the Constitution, and religion.
Todd Akin is actually an incredibly bright individual. He just made a dumb mistake, and accepted bad information as if it were sound science. He probably did this, because it fit his world-view on abortion (shocker, right?).
The one dumb mistake doesn't change who he is or any of the principles for which he stands. What it does is expose his critics for what they are. I won't name it, because it names itself. Simply scroll through the list of comments here with a critical eye and read for yourself.
I can't tell if people like FeralCat are Democratic plants, Nationalist Progressive Republicans, or functionally retarded. Unfortunately, a large percentage of commenters sound very similar to FeralCat. What am I supposed to make of that?
The hypocrisy of the so-called Right is maddening. So many of you proclaim to be Christians, but you're clawing through each other to be the first to cast judgement on a man you don't know. There's little to no effort to find context or understanding, especially by the bloggers, themselves.
No, the bloggers are too busy acting like Sean "Toe the Party Line" Hannity. Establshment hacks who know less about freedom, independent thought, and self-sacrifice than they know about who has an R after their name and has the potential to increase the total number of "team members" they have in the Senate.
August 22, 2012 - 3:12 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
Good point.
Akin isn't running for senate in Washington, DC. He's running in Missouri and maybe his faux pas won't matter to Missourians.
August 22, 2012 - 9:45 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
It may not matter to Missourians, but it will matter elsewhere in the country, and you can bet the Democrats and their lap dog media are going to force the issue in every. single. race. It's going to be a litmus test that will probably grow to include questions about evolution and other subjects in an effort to hammer home their narrative that Republicans are anti-intellectual and scientifically illiterate.
I maintain that it's not his position on abortion that is problematic. Being against abortion even in cases of rape is not a popular view, but it is at least coherent and defensible. He would have been better off to just state he is against terminating any pregnancy. What is problematic is the assertion, in essence, that having exemptions for rape is unnecessary because actual rape doesn't cause pregnancy anyway. It's effectively saying any woman who seeks an abortion because of rape is obviously a liar just trying to use it as an excuse to cover up her own licentiousness. There's your "war on women" hook. Icing on the cake is the bizarre assertion that the female body prevents forcible conception, in total contravention of what we all know about basic human biology not to mention the millennia old observation that wherever armies go, genes go. There's your "scientific illiterates" hook.
Did we really need this to be harder than it already was? Now one man's implacable hard headedness threatens our hopes of retaking the Senate.
August 22, 2012 - 11:16 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
God forbid Akin be responsible to his own constituents in his own state for his own words.
God forbid other Republicans up for election should be responsible for their own words to their own constituents in their own states.
Ah, that old-time Progressive religion. Responsibility is always someone else's, or it's shared across everyone's shoulders.
No, that's okay, you aren't responsible for your own words and thought process, MissAnthropy. You're clearly incapable of thinking for yourself. I understand, dear.
Sit down, and I'll do your thinking for you. You're welcome.
August 23, 2012 - 11:54 am Link to this Comment | Reply
Studious Citizen
Your comment would be accurate if it weren't so damned inaccurate.
Akin co-sponsored a bill that would eliminate federal funding of abortions in cases of statutory rape, limiting federal funding only to abortions in cases of forcible rape. That doesn't indicate an uncompromising "abortion under no circumstances" ideologue. That indicates a principled pragmatist.
August 22, 2012 - 5:21 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
10. Libertyship46
Sarah Palin was on Fox News last night and she seemed to have the best idea on how to get rid of Akin. If he does not withdraw and the Republican Party can't get rid of him, put up a strong third party candidate against him. True, you would have the strange situation where the Republican Party would not be supporting its own party's candidate in Missouri, but it sure beats losing the Senate to a nut like Akin. With the third party candidate getting tons of money from the Republican National Committee and private donations, Akin doesn't stand a chance. Will Akin split the vote with a third party candidate if he stays in? Not if the people of Missouri are given a better choice to defeat the Democrats. Akin could turn into a fringe candidate getting no more than one or two percent of the vote. Let's hope Akin still decides to do the right thing and get out, but the way he's been talking, I doubt that will happen.
August 22, 2012 - 5:11 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Jim Baker
This is a long shot and Palin knows it. The only way it works is if the third party candidate is already much more well known and at least twice as popular as the incumbent. 20% of the vote will go to this Republican imposter because many Republican voters will vote party line. So, the third candidate will have to beat McCaskill by preventing the Democrat from scoring 40% of the total vote. That is a tall order even in Texas. The damage is done and I hope the Tea Party people have learned something from this. You can't vote for an ideology without vetting the actual candidate who has decided to carry your banner. ABO2012
August 22, 2012 - 7:38 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Jim, your attempt to pin this on the Tea Party is misguided. They wanted Sarah Steelman, not Akin.
August 22, 2012 - 9:21 am Link to this Comment | Reply
The Root '83
A third party splits the vote and hands it to the Dems…
Roosevelt gave us Wilson, Perot gave us Clinton (twice)…
It never works against a Democrat…Ever
We are being played like a fiddle, again.
Uncle Fester said something stupid, thats true.
But kicking him out of the house will not appease the gang that wants the whole family dead.
Dont play their game.
August 22, 2012 - 8:29 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Throat Wobbler Mangrove
Lisa Murkowkski pulled it off. And Marco Rubio won in spite of Charlie Crist trying this. It's a long shot, but it Akin won't voluntarily go, this may be the only other path.
August 22, 2012 - 11:53 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
myth buster
And had Murkowski accepted the results of the primary, Miller would be Senator now. You go to war with the army you have, and right now, Akin is who we have to face McCaskil. Hold the line!
August 22, 2012 - 3:22 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
Why can't an independant 3rd party run work in this case? It did for Joe Lieberman and Lisa M. You just need someone prominent in Missouri. Also the National Republican Party can suuport the independant with campaign funds. If Akin's not going to drop out, then what's to lose by trying?
August 22, 2012 - 10:03 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
I've read as many of these posts as I can stand, and when you cut through the blather, here we go again. Social conservatives are welcome to vote for GOP candidates who want to spend tax money for their preferred projects, not the Dems' choices, but please don't try to elect one of your Christian crazies. I agree with the suggestion that a third party be started in MO. Many people are sick of electing Republicans who go along with every Dem evil, such as tax-funded abortions, mandatory insurance for contraception/abortion, taxpayer support of Planned Parenthood, national education standards, homo soldiers and little soldierettes (What do you call a co-ed army? Demoralized and defeated.), etc. And just to top it off, I guarantee you all right now that Romney will not repeal O'bama-Care, even if he has 75 votes in the Senate. People who are immoral are not honest — trust me.
August 22, 2012 - 11:25 am Link to this Comment | Reply
11. Chipperoo
If Mitt wants to put a horse's head in Akin's bed, get Huck to not only withdraw his endorsement of Akin, but to denounce him and his candidacy as selfish and damaging to the party, the state of Missouri, the principles Huck holds dear and the country. Huck helped to create this mess and has done nothing to clean it up. For Huck, the choice is either loyalty to his fellow evangelical or loyalty to everything else he claims to stand for.
August 22, 2012 - 5:26 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Jim Baker
Agreed. Huckabee mixes too much religion with his politics and sometimes ends up backing this kind of loser. Just one of the hazards of ideological brain lock, I say. ABO2012
August 22, 2012 - 7:43 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
myth buster
And how, exactly, does Romney do that? Romney doesn't have anything on Huckabee; in fact, Romney owes Huckabee a favor. Romney is only the nominee because Huckabee didn't run, and both of them know it.
August 22, 2012 - 3:25 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
12. bvw
First full phrase in the first sentence out of the gate for this essay:
against the urging of just about every Republican with an [b]IQ higher than room temperature[/b]
[/blockquote]What a wonderful way to win friends and influence people! /NOT!
Start out brutally mocking those who might dare disagree with you. How "legitimately intellectual" of you. And I mean "legitimate" in the sense Mr. Akin used it in modifying the word rape: "legitimate rape".
Clearly, to those honestly able to apply their IQs over room temperature, Mr. Akin meant "violent forcible rape". Just as is is fair to categorize your argument as "violent and forcible".
Bouvier's 1856 Law Dictionary defines the legal term RAPE as "RAPE, crim. law. The carnal knowledge of a woman by a man forcibly and unlawfully against her will." That's a legitimate definition from a legitimate source of legitimate rape. It matches what Mr. Akin was attempting to differentiate.
And he needed to to differentiate, for as Bouvier's Dictionary goes on in the discussion of criminal rape, it adds a reservation about a type of possible rape: "The knowledge of the woman's person must be forcibly and against her will; and if her consent has not been voluntarily and freely given, (when she has the power to consent,) the offence will be complete, nor will any subsequent acquiescence on her part do away the guilt of the ravisher. A consent obtained from a woman by actual violence, by duress or threats of murder, or by the administration of stupefying drugs, is not such a consent as will shield the offender, nor turn his crime into adultery or fornication." It's necessary to differentiate because the woman's consent may be obtained by "by actual violence, by duress or threats of murder, or by the administration of stupefying drugs", and when the woman is not resisting to the act of coitus her body is more able to be receptive and thus conceive.
August 22, 2012 - 5:36 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
tom Perkins
What do you imagine the disagreement is?
August 22, 2012 - 6:26 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Jim Baker
Akin's folly wasn't his use of the words "legitimate rape". It was his assertion that a woman can prevent a pregnancy after being raped by some sort of female biological ability to auto abort an unwanted fetus. This is patently absurd and only a tiny percentage of voters could bring themselves to believe it. God makes no claim to giving human women that biological ability in the Bible, and most people don't believe in immaculate abortion. It is also likely that Akin know this too, since he is a Trojan horse candidate who is now showing his allegiance to the Democrat Party, ABO2012
August 22, 2012 - 7:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Akin's statement says that the woman's body will TRY to prevent the conception. Not that the female has some magically perfect ability to completely stop any conception in a forcible rape, but only that the act of forcing the coitus on an unwilling woman involves a number of natural reactions that make conception less likely.
August 22, 2012 - 11:46 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
shhh…you'll interrupt the meme feeding frenzy
August 23, 2012 - 10:06 am Link to this Comment | Reply
It is documented that a woman's body will help the sperm from a man that she wants get to that all important egg. So not 'helping' and please don't make fun of me for not recalling exactly what that was, something about chemicals or something in the tubes, would make the odds of a successful impregnation smaller.
That is what I assumed this Akin person was trying to say. But oh no, sadly it was not.
August 27, 2012 - 8:51 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
13. Kent
I love to hear now the objections to open primaries. These are the primaries like in Iowa and New Hampshire that allowed Mitt Romney, the most liberal candidate, to become our nominee. If Republicans actually believe in the rule of law, then let Todd Akin be. He won the primary, and as of now, we don't allow speech police to undo what the voters legally did. I despise the sight of supposedly conservative Republicans doing this high tech lynching so that party elites can replace the people's choice with their much more enlightened Ruling Class candidate. Sometimes elections are messy. But if you don't like democracy then leave. And to those Mitt Romney fans, quit your hypocritical whining about open primaries. They are the reason Romney is our candidate.
August 22, 2012 - 5:37 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Terry Gain
Exit polls during the primaries indicated that people who described themselves as conservatives favored Romney over the other candidates.
Romney is the GOP nominee because in the judgement of the electorate he was the best candidate with the skill to run a successful campaign against Obama and the MSM. He is also the only candidate with the skills to turn around the economy and address the fiscal insanity.
Supporting the candidacy of Akin is moronic. He is easily the best campaign commercial Obama can run.
August 22, 2012 - 5:52 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
"Exit polls" command your absolute respect, but the actual primary with real voters under the rules in Missouri means nothing to you. This completely non-principled, arbitrary posse of speech police is nauseating. And these are conservatives? No, these are fascists that are self appointed correctors of the electorate. How about we have Romney quit because he is such a liberal doofus who will say or do anything to get elected, since it is now OK to undo primaries let's get rid of Romney.
August 22, 2012 - 6:40 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Jim Baker
You are a political fool, Kent. Further discussion seems unnecessary to me, but it can be arranged. ABO2012
August 22, 2012 - 7:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The voters chose. The voters choice does not get undone because some people don't like what he said. Except maybe in Soviet state.
August 22, 2012 - 9:11 am Link to this Comment
In other words, "sit down and shut up." Wow that sure sounds like an enlightened philosophy.
Voters make mistakes, and if the primary were held today Akin would pull 3% of the vote, tops. The Republican Party has every right to try to repair the damage that his idiotic comments have caused, and the First Amendment guarantees the right of everyone – from Romney to the people posting here – to encourage Akin to drop out, for the good of the country and the good of the party. Sorry if that bothers you.
August 22, 2012 - 9:37 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Yes Bubbatroid. Sit down, shut up, respect the voters decision. That is what conservatives have been told about how they have to shut up and vote for the Liberal Romney. Who hey are now supporting. So yes, sit down, shut up, help Akin get elected. Period.
August 22, 2012 - 9:51 am Link to this Comment
14. Scott
Directly pressuring Akin is not going to work.
The only way this is going to be changed is if Akin's echo chamber is punctured and the people around him who normally stroke his ego begin to tell him he needs to pull out for the greater good of all.
They are his support system and as long as his echo chamber is intact, he ain't going anywhere.
As such, the Romney campaign needs to exert pressure on the local Republican establishment to then exert pressure on Akin to withdraw from the race and designate a new candidate in his place.
The only substantive way to do that is to cut off ALL funding and support to ALL Republican candidates in that state.
Yes, this is draconian – but he and his supporters have brought it upon themselves and only drastic measures are going to get their collective attention.
The cutoff of assistance doesn't even need to be public. The more public it is the more likely they will just dig in deeper as they don't want to be seen as being told what to do by outsiders.
I can understand this mindset, but they have to understand in no uncertain terms that their actions affect more than just themselves and the rest of the party is completely justified in taking measures to protect campaigns in other states and on the national level.
Do it quickly, do it quietly, do it privately – but do it.
If the entire slate of Republican candidates in that state are being penalized he will be subject to a lot more pressure from those he sees as his peers and that bubble he's surrounded himself with may finally burst.
Just because the local establishment party types are willing to ride this into the ground doesn't mean that the party on the national level or in other states are obliged to waste valuable resources on defending against this foolishness.
Romney can make this happen. He's got the clout and the expertise. He's had experience in firing recalcitrant people before. This will only enhance his leadership status.
It needs to happen now.
August 22, 2012 - 5:43 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Geez, why not just hire someone to make him disappear? So, IF Akins numbers don't go down, you're saying the people of Mo are idiots and removing their candidate is your way of making friends and influencing people? Just sayin…
August 22, 2012 - 6:29 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Why make him "disappear"?
I'm perfectly content that he step out of the limelight and spend quality time with his family reassessing his priorities and stop being an issue in this campaign.
As for poll numbers, the only poll I've heard of since this gaffe hit was rigged to reinforce Akin's mind to stay in the race and drastically oversampled Republicans.
It was a poll by PPP – a very liberal democrat leaning polling organization.
Hell, even high profile Missouri Republicans have asked him to step down so it's not like it's only outsiders urging him to do so, and keep in mind 60% of republican primary voters went to someone other than Akin.
I'd say there were plenty of Missourians who would be happy to see him go, so I don't believe your assertion that I view them as "idiots" is correct in any way.
The democrats WANT him to stay in the race and have already spent millions to get him where he is now.
Doesn't this sink in at all?
The opposition is PICKING who they run against – same as they did 4 years ago in the McCain/Obama race.
Do you happen to remember how that turned out?
Hate to break this to ya, but we don't need that kind of baggage this time.
Any good Akin thought he could do for causes he espouses has been sabotaged by his own words. Nobody is going to associate with him on any legislation nor want to be seen within a country mile of him. Beyond that, he's being hung around the neck of any Republican the democrats can associate with him – we are already seeing it in attacks on Paul Ryan.
He's become a liability and needs to go.
If he were sincere and truly put the greater good ahead of his own ego, he would know that Obamacare – under which abortion is gonna be a lot easier choice for a lot more people – is going to stand and our chance of overturning the whole damn thing is going to be history once it's fully implemented.
By virtue of his staying in the race he is going to keep McCaskill in office.
Keeping McCaskill in office will assure a contested Senate.
A contested Senate will not overturn Obamacare.
A fully implemented Obamacare will result in greater use of abortion, a cause he CLAIMS to care about.
If he really cared, he'd withdraw.
August 22, 2012 - 7:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply
15. Theodore
Forget Hughes's Mormon Mafia. It's time to summon the Danites.
August 22, 2012 - 5:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
16. Terry Gain
Expecting anyone to be able to reason with this moron Akin is expecting too much from a mere human being, but perhaps if today Mitt can convince Akin to withdraw tomorrow he can eradicate poverty.
August 22, 2012 - 5:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
17. Gman
I've hesitated to post anything on PJMedia for a while now, but this is treating dandruff through decapitation.
Anyone who took the time to put Akin's comments into context should realize that his beliefs are those of the social-conservative majority: don't murder a baby because of where he or she came from. We cannot simply put into effect an abortion law that basically states that abortion is murder unless rape is involved, because more and more people will start claiming to be rape victims. Its a slippery slope that blurs the distinction between two parties already difficult to tell apart.
Was Akin's comments ill-conceived – yes. But is the GOP really so paranoid that it must demand the removal of a solid conservative simply because he misspoke a position held by most conservatives in the first place? The comparison to Patton is appropriate here, and it has nothing to do with audacity. Patton knew how to embarrass his commanders, particularly in his condemnation of Communist Russia. But secretly, most of his comrades agreed with him, and his superiors were not stupid enough to send him home because of flubbed remark here and there.
It is clear that Akin does not know much about female anatomy. However, it is also clear that he firmly believes that babies should not be slaughtered because they were the products of rape. That's an admirable position. If the GOP cannot grow some balls and not be afraid to take conservative social and political positions, then there is no more conservative voice in our nation any longer. Rest in peace fellow conservatives, your representatives are splineless cowards.
August 22, 2012 - 6:19 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
My neighbor is a retired 20 year veteran of the USMC and a lifelong Republican. I was Southern-born, Southern-bred, and Southern-raised in the Bible Belt of the South where I still reside.
He surprised me once when he told me I am the absolutely most conservative person he has ever met. I don't think you'll find my positions to be wishy washy on social issues, still with his background that surprised me.
Having said that, neither myself nor any one I know or associate with would ever agree that a woman should not have the option of an abortion on account of rape.
Your estimate of popular support for this viewpoint is, in my opinion, overstated.
As far as your references to Patton, I'm something of a history buff as well.
Please be advised that Patton DID get into trouble on account of his inability to control his tongue and did in fact lose his command of the 7th Army.
If you want to use Patton as a guide, then you should likewise accept that Akin should be relieved of the burden of trying to replace McCaskill in the Senate – and for similar reasons.
Oh, and Akin is no Patton.
August 22, 2012 - 6:40 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
myth buster
And doing so helped win the Battle of Normandy. The Germans didn't believe that Patton's superiors had really relieved him, so when they sent Patton to Calais to lead the diversionary attack, the Germans bought it, softening up Normandy for the invasion force.
August 22, 2012 - 3:32 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
The moral godless
For months now the Democrats and the media have been pushing a "war on women." Outside preaching to the choir, it hasn't had much impact. Now. Akin has given them a gift with a bow on it.
Mark my words, on November 6th, there are going to be millions of people going to the polls thinking "Romney and Ryan are gonna rape you and make you keep the baby."
And for the record, as much as social conservatives weep over sharia law, treating women like incubators without any control over their bodies is perverse.
August 22, 2012 - 6:42 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Your's is the voice of reason.
The GOP pundits and politicians are spazzing out over this to the point of mental illness. All of them should get a grip on themselves and quit acting so cravenly. People are going to think they aren't fit to lead.August 22, 2012 - 6:44 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
The first bit of wisdom and common sense I've read on this whole Republican Cannibal Circus ,but they are all beyond that.
Sadly this party has become as filthy and amoral as the Democrats and the RINO'S want blood just as this writer has said so eloquently.
They didn't get as riled up about Democrats and murder, Hodler and Obama smuggling guns to their Mexican Cartel buddies.
These RINO's are finished and headed off the cliff just for this.
If I was a judge that would be enough to convict these hypocrites.
You can't tell them apart anymore.After reading the rest of these comments ,I have to go and delouse these little bugs who eat their own.
August 22, 2012 - 6:49 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
I reply to Gman, above, at the reply currently marked as 17. I note that Gman makes powerful points about putting Akin's quotes in context, and describes the mob response so far as "treating dandruff through decapitation", which is as accurate a description of the situation at date today as one might find.
However, I rise to claim to Gman that his assertion that "It is clear that Akin does not know much about female anatomy" is itself incorrect and incorrect in three ways at the least. First it is not clear — to reach to gauge Akin's (or anyone's!) knowledge of the female anatomy from such a brief comment is patently wrong. It's extrapolating from too little data.
Second what is incorrect about Akin's statement? Where is the science? I tell you, I WARN YOU, that recent day's articles in the major media are themselves short-sighted and even deceptive. I have read the articles at NPR and NYT that a quick Google search presents. They interview "experts" ( …of course! they are ALWAYS experts, are they not? … ) who poo-pooh the old understanding of the ability to conceive due to a rape. Yet in doing so "It is clear" that indeed the old medical, legal and common wisdom was that it is difficult or even impossible to conceive because of rape.
And why was that? Why did older generations hold that as a fact? Why is our oh-so-enlightened generation completely reject that view? Were they so ignorant, and we so dumb? Has human physiology radically changed?
We humans have not changed. But we changed something, in particular the definition of the word RAPE.
What is "legitimate rape"? What could Akin have meant in context?
The third incorrect part of your bold, yet false, assertion Gman, is that you went along with the mob. With the bad tide. You, Gman, are smart enough, experienced enough, I would guess, that you should never have bitten on the poisoned apple the media-frenzied mob tosses you.
August 22, 2012 - 7:00 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
"What is "legitimate rape"? What could Akin have meant in context?"
He was referring to the LIE that was Roe vs Wade….
The false and artificially concocted PURGERY that she was pregnant as a result of rape.She was not. She was pregnant, yes, but she was not "legitimately raped".
That part of their story, created to gather sympathy for their case, was an outright premeditated lie.
Abortions for rape-induced pregnancies are nearly non-existent. That's where he was going with the word "legitimate"…its such a rare occurrence, that even the benchmark Supreme Court Case couldn't find one to discuss, so they LIED.Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a Philadelphia Abortionist, is currently on trial for Murder, for killing at least 7 live fully delivered children, as well as a woman who died while obtaining a "delivery day" abortion in his house of horrors.
Dr. Kermit Gosnell is the more accurate face of Abortion in America, but Philadelphia is a Democratic stronghold there is no media coverage of it compared to the artificial feeding frenzy of some "remarks" taken out of context, by an obscure politician, halfway across the country.
We have to STOP letting the Left define the narrative, and capitulating to their lies and slander.
We will never win by avoiding THE TRUTH.
Caving in to the demands of Liberals and the RINOS who desperately want to be "liked" by them, is the PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION, of our political woes.
August 22, 2012 - 9:06 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
To "The Root '83″: Your connecting the dots and outlining the background of the false-rape construct used in Roe-v-Wade, is reasonable to have a been a key factor in Mr. Akin's statement.
The vain Senator Arlen Spector claimed it to be "established law of the land", at a level of establishment deeper than anything else, beyond even the words of the Constitution. And yet it was established upon a lie. Roe-v-Wade was an illegitimate decision in many ways.
But in one aspect that decision was not illegitimate. There is a right to privacy. For us to be left alone, to make our own ways in the world free of intrusive regulation and government prohibitions to the extent possible excepted only to insure justice and to preserve general safety and public morality. That is a key right In is an unalienable right, one granted by Our Creator and Nature's G0d.
Under the Laws of Nature's G0d there are cases where abortion is required and/or allowed. To save the life of the mother is one most agree on. But there are others, and no law must not be too strict or harsh to absolutely preclude them. These others are difficult cases, there is disagreement on what they are. But there is no disagreement that they should be rare, and need review. But who — especially in these times of moral insanity — can be trusted to make such a review?
August 22, 2012 - 1:48 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
myth buster
Not on your life! Nature's God says, "You shall not put the son to death for the crime of the father, nor shall you put the father to death for the crime of the son." That means that rape can NEVER justify abortion, even while it can justify executing the rapist.
August 22, 2012 - 3:35 pm Link to this Comment
So if I want to call myself conservative I have to buy into Socon positions unquestioningly. Tell it to the Central Committeee. I call bullshit.
August 22, 2012 - 9:34 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
No, you just have to put some things above your love of (keeping your own) money.
There is more to Conservatism than than Gold. If Gold is all you believe in, please dont bother calling yourself a Conservative…
When RINO is the more appropriate term
August 22, 2012 - 12:46 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
18. Ronald J. Ward
There are circumstances, something many GOP have danced around, when an abortion is justified.
If you believe as I do, that life begins at conception, then you understand that tragedies such as rape or incest are not valid arguments in terminating the life. But that isn't overwhelmingly popular with women voters so the GOP has tried to change the argument that those wanting an abortion could simply cry rape. Akin is actually reiterating something the GOP has implied for some time; if you're raped and get pregnant, it's your fault. They've had a moral argument the entire time but got wobbly knees when voters didn't like it.
So, is abortion permitted under any circumstance? Yes. When the mother is in fear of her life and that fear has merit and can be proven, she has the right to terminate. Again, the argument comes up that it's too vague or hard to police or that there would be too many made up excuses. While that argument has merit, it can't override one's basic right to protect their life. If my neighbor crashes my bbq, comes at with me with a knife threatening to kill me, I can legally pull out my 9mm and prevent that from happening. Now if I'm irate because he's crashing my party and say "hey Joe, go get me a butcher knife to cut up these ribs", and then shoot him when he's returning, it's an entirely different story. My point is that you can't have a blanket exclusion when it comes to protecting your own life.
August 22, 2012 - 6:39 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
"There are circumstances where abortion is justified". OK. Given this concept, and the situation in Missouri, I suggest you have the Republican Ruling Class leaders announce that Todd Akin is a fetus that escaped the womb in a late term abortion. Then you have him aborted, under the "justifiable circumstance" rule. The tenor of most of the comments I am reading about this evil man suggest that death might be the only proper solution. All done, of course, in the service of the conservative cause of freedom of speech and thought and democratic republican ideals.
August 22, 2012 - 6:46 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
You are operating from the premise that pregnancy is an action, just as crashing your bar-b-que would be an action. It is not. Pregnancy is a consequence, just like a hang over is a consequence. The action, that resulted in a pregnancy, has already happened.
Women who do not want to endure a risky pregnancy had a choice in preventing that pregnancy in the first place. But of course, since the Democrats are always shouting "But what about rape? What about incest?" Republicans hide in the corner and refuse to cite the Guttmacher (sp?) Institute's own stats that rape and incest, added together, represent less than 1% of the reasons given for all abortions. Let that sink in; LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.
If you don't want a hangover, don't drink. If you don't want a gunshot wound to the head, don't point a gun to your head and pull the trigger. The hangover, the head shot, like pregnancy, is the result of an action, not the action itself.
August 22, 2012 - 7:08 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Ronald J. Ward
Zane, aside from your perspective that we are all hangovers, you present a rather specious argument. If life begins at conception, which we both seem to agree on, at what point can one protect themselves from your proclaimed hangover? If an enraged drunken teenager attempts to kill a parent, is that parent exempt from protecting themselves as had it not been for their own actions, they wouldn't be dealing with this dilemma?
August 22, 2012 - 7:23 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Your example makes no sense. Attempted murder is an action; pregnancy is not. If you don't want a hangover, don't drink to excess. If you don't want to weight 250 pounds, don't eat a Big Mac every day. You need to separate the action from the consequence (or reaction).
The left has controlled the narrative on abortion for 40 years. Pro-choice is the term they seem so attached to. But how is murder pro-choice, when the choice to take the action that resulted in a pregnancy has already been made? Pro-resolution would be a more accurate term. Abortion resolves the problem of a choice already made that resulted in pregnancy.
August 22, 2012 - 7:33 am Link to this Comment | Reply
19. Kelly Staples
Excellent piece Mr. Walsh. "Hello Carlo."
August 22, 2012 - 6:49 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
20. El Polacko
I have a pretty simple test for determining the viability of political candidates of all political persuasions.
Take a look at the ridiculous combover covering Mr. Akin's shiny, bald head.
Anybody that starts their day by lying to themselves while looking in the mirror after getting out of the shower, is simply unfit for political office.
Does this make me a bad person? So be it.
Aiken is only 64, but he is an obsolete fossil.
August 22, 2012 - 6:49 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
21. zane
Wow! Seems that the Republican have learned nothing in the 50 years the Democrats, and the complicit media, have been using Alinskyist tactics against Republicans.
Todd Akin, who most certainly made a very stupid statement, is now the Demon from Hell with his own party demanding his lynching. Every Republican running for an office as low as dog catcher is shivering in the corner, hoping that the press doesn't come after them so they better call for this guy's head before the press, controlled by the Dems for 50 years, goes after them.
A stupid statement is picked up by the lamestream media, and within minutes, Republicans are trying to cover their tailends, while the Democrats, and the lamestream media are laughing at how easy it is to manipulate Republicans. Meanwhile, another Democrat has been caught posting sweet nothings on Craig's List so he can meet up with young men in road side parks for a little hanky panky. Nevermind that although that story has been out for days, Akin, who did nothing illegal, or immoral, is the story. If stupidity was a crime, there wouldn't be a Democrat left in Congress.
Why don't we Republicans just change our party name to the Guppy Party since we are so quick to eat our own. And then the howls for Palin to get involved (and like clockwork, she did) although she campaigned for Akin's GOP opponent (nah, no conflict of interest there, boys and girls). Meanwhile, Joe Biden is at it again, calling Republicans "squeeling pigs" (maybe he is on to something) while no one on his side of the aisle is demanding Biden step down and cease his campaign for VP over his calling an entire segment of the American voter, Republicans, racists who want to put black Americans back in chains.
News, flash, Mr. Walsh; as long as we conservatives allow the media, and the Democrats, to drive the narrative, we are going to lose elections. As long as we allow the media, and the Democrats, to hold us to standards they are not willing to abide by (Alinskyism) we are going to lose elections.
This election is for the voters of Missouri to decide. If they want to vote for Criminal Claire, that is their choice and frankly, Missouri will then deserve the representation they get which will be sending one of Obama's lap dogs back to D.C.
Frankly, after the Gerry Studds fiasco, where he admitted to having a physical relationships with underage pages, and getting a standing ovation by the Democrats when he admitted it on the floor of Congress, the Dems just need to STHU and clean up their own house. And Republicans/conservatives need to grow a set and stop letting the Democrats and their lacky press drive the conversation.
August 22, 2012 - 6:58 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Fred Beloit
You make sense, zane. What are you doing in this highly emotional cauldron of formerly thinking feelers?
The Duke case was about illegitimate rape.
Akin used the word legitimate rape.
ERGO: Akin is unelectable.August 22, 2012 - 8:08 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Duke case was about a *claim* of rape that was a lie. What happened was not rape, and thus her claim of rape was not legitimate. This is all very easily comprehensible.
August 22, 2012 - 9:10 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
All rape cases are started on a "claim." It is up to the law enforcement agency to determine if that "claim" is legitimate.
August 22, 2012 - 10:00 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Fred Beloit
"The Duke case was about a *claim* of rape that was a lie."
actly.It was about an illegitimate rape, not a legitimate rape.
I thank you.August 22, 2012 - 11:26 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
Roe vs Wade was a LIE
It was LIED about, as the case of a woman who was raped seeking an Abortion.
It was a LIE. She was not raped, and the Perjurers who pushed and presented that fictitious case knew it all along.
They made up that "detail" to gather sympathy for their real cause, which was the acceptance of extermination of the children that result from irresponsible behavior.She was not, in other words, "Legitimately Raped" as they alleged, she was "theoretically" raped to advance their cause.
His point was, 99.99999% of all abortions performed in this country fall into that category. The "theory" that a woman raped has the right to abort serving as fig-leaf for the actual PRACTICE is of Infanticide for convenience. He opposes that notion, because instances of pregnancy from rape are EXCEEDINGLY RARE.
So rare in fact, they couldn't actually FIND ONE to present to the Supreme Court, so they just made one up out of thin air.
There is nothing "controversial" or "ugly" about that truth.
At least, not from the Pro-Life side, that is.
Instead of piling on this guy, why don't we make the Left justify Infanticide?
Oh, that's right…courage
Not a big trait among RINOS that worry about what cool parties they get invited to
August 22, 2012 - 1:04 pm Link to this Comment
"This election is for the voters of Missouri to decide. If they want to vote for Criminal Claire, that is their choice and frankly, Missouri will then deserve the representation they get which will be sending one of Obama's lap dogs back to D.C."
No, sir, this time what you say is not true. Missouri is a 'must-win' state! If those within this country who oppose the lawlessness and arrogance of Obama and his party are not able to simultaneously take the Senate and the Presidency while maintaining convincing majorities in the House, then all will be lost; America will be permanently changed without any real possibility of reversing what has been happening for decades now, especially culturally.
The country is in a full-blown civil war, just without shooting. To think that your allies must adhere to such absolutist rubbish – especially when it is without any known and provable biological basis – is delusional on your part. There is a time for such an issue; right now is not that time, because bluntly, if we are unsuccessful, we WILL have Obamacare as the law of the land, including unrestricted access to publically-funded abortion on demand. Those future generations that are not aborted will be condemned to a life of indentured servitude as subjects, as opposed to free and sovereign citizens.
Frankly, I fail to see how people such as you can claim to hold that yours is a more moral position given the even greater evils that await future generations of Americans.
August 22, 2012 - 10:28 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Ok- somifmitmis war, then do everything you can to ge Akin elected. He won the primary. He is the guy. Drag him over the finish
Iine. If you are determined to have a pro-abortion candidate then vote for McCaskill. That is the choice.August 22, 2012 - 2:08 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
22. herbork
Conservatives I know are quirky, independent-minded people who rest on the Constitutional Right to be yourself, to be an individualist. The GOP pretends to honor this quaint sociology, but in fact it plays the political game exactly as do the liberals: force majeure.
Result: both parties are composed of authoritarian statists who are weary, in Washington, of all these millions of voters who think they are somehow important in and of themselves. You know: "have a soul," and all that "protect the unborn" stuff.
So the party you look to, this year, as the savior of individuality, asks that you give it up on command, and do as we are told. I repeat: Democrats drink human blood, and the GOP wipes their lips.
"Whatcha gonna do now, Yogi?"
August 22, 2012 - 7:08 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
23. Bob in VA
Lay off the Tea Party. Their candidates in the primary were Brunner and Sarah's favorite Steelman. If it's a Tea Party failure, it's because they should have united around one standard bearer against Akin. Instead of an about 30-30-30 primary result, it would have been 60-30 with Akin out. And don't forget the open primary with Dems crossing over to vote and the Dems pitching in $1.5M to Akins campaign. Say it for the Dems, they know how to play this game!
August 22, 2012 - 7:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
I would have preferred a different candidate, but Missouri voters decided, and I am not from Missouri. So I respect their choice. And I dont believe this guys voting record is bad. So, we have an imperfect human running. Todd Akin is far superior to Claire McCaskill. This is easy. Let work to et out the vote for Akin. If you don't like him, hold your nose and help him get elected. Tat is what I have been told to do with Romney, who is not my preference. Republican Lynch Mobs are not a pretty sight.
August 22, 2012 - 9:16 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Throat Wobbler Mangrove
Romney may not have been your first choice, but he also hasn't uttered something that made him radioactive overnight. There's no coming back from this for Akin. For the good of the party, the state and the country, he should have bowed out gracefully yesterday, and he should still do so before he loses to McCaskill badly in November. This election is too important to roll the dice on his remaining the candidate.
August 22, 2012 - 12:00 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Romney implemented state mandated health care. He also implemented global warming taxes. These are real stupid policies, far worse than any utterings from Akin. So, if I have to move on and vote for the pro-abortion Romney, you can shut up and let the people of Missouri have their candidate. You aren't from Missouri, are you?
August 22, 2012 - 2:11 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
24. randomengineer
The fat lady is shrieking, not merely singing, and it's officially over barring a miracle. The left wins again. Get used to 4 more years of Obama.
On CNN's web site this AM is an opinion piece by Granderson where he says to not be fooled, that what Akin supposedly "misspoke" is in fact the actual real life opinion of *most* of the republican party. He goes on to show that this is true re abortion bill excerpts and shows that Ryan too is a signatory.
And then you have commenter "Gman" above echoing Granderson's otherwise idiot assertion that social conservatives are the *majority* of the GOP.
Well, then, that pretty much ices it. Although the social cons are a *minority* of the GOP they are a loud group unable to STFU and once again a winnable election against a marxist that ought to be otherwise winnable even running a pair of pliers as candidate will be hosed.
The gift that Akin just gave the left and tied up in a bow by "Gman" is the very picture of a group of holier than thou theocratic pinheads who have no business being in public office. The left will continue the Granderson strategy claiming that Akin does in fact speak for the GOP even if some in the GOP are loathe to admit it.
The election is lost, and once again bible thumping morons are responsible.
August 22, 2012 - 8:19 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
"Bible thumping morons" is indistinguishable from a DailyKOS talking point, to me. Have fun electing Romney, I won't be showing up, and I gather a lot of folks think just like me.
Winning just isn't important, if it doesn't advance my agenda, and if it means I have to take insults from all sides.
August 22, 2012 - 8:46 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Well stated, SpareMe. I have just witnessed the Republican Party become like the Democrats going after Clarence Thomas. We now have Republican Speech Vigilantes, willing to saddle up at a moments notice and find those who speak the unspeakable and hang them from a sturdy limb. This helps promote free speech.
August 22, 2012 - 9:21 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Same here. Speaking as a newcomer refugee from the Democrats, it really inadequate to describe hidebound Republicans as RINOS. "Mastodon" is more like
it.August 23, 2012 - 7:14 am Link to this Comment | Reply
Yes. Let the Socons think about this as they drop 1 million dollar Obamambuck bills in the collection plate in a couple of years.
August 22, 2012 - 9:43 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
Since you despise the Socons, whose votes you want, you should identify what you are. I take it you are a Libertine, who believes everything is acceptable. Does that sum it up? And how is this different than Obama? And you are probably OK with the Catholic church being forced to pay for abortions, which their religion sees as a sin, since they are just imbecilic Socons, right?
August 22, 2012 - 9:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
What am I? I am myself.
Libertine? Your very use of that word reveals who you are. I sleep with women to whom I am not married. Smoke a little weed now and then.
Bothers you, doesn't it?
You keep this absolutism up, and the progressives will not only win, but they will see that catholic hospitals perform abortions or shut down.
I loathe the left's vilification of Christianity and their embrace of Islam.
I doubt you will ever get a blanket prohibition on abortion, but if you want to try within our constitutional system, Obama must not be reelected, And that is only the first step.
But hey, I'm just a libertine, what do I know?
August 23, 2012 - 5:11 am Link to this Comment | Reply
myth buster
If the choice is hyperinflation or legalized abortion, I welcome hyperinflation. May your money perish with you.
August 22, 2012 - 3:41 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Reminds me of "Do not crucify mankind on this cross of gold." Wasn't a republican who said that, but it was the guy who who went after Snopes.
Abortion is legal, and if Obama is reelected we will see Catholic hospitals forced to perform it or shut down. But go ahead, stand on principal.
August 23, 2012 - 5:01 am Link to this Comment | Reply
25. Sarbo
Of course, this makes R&R look impotent … if they nor Sarah Palin can get this freak to drop out, it'll make John Doe think twice.
I don't care if Akin is a Republican or if his victory in Mo. can help the GOP gain majority control of the Senate. When it comes to repealing Obamacare, 51 seats won't do it, they'll need 60 seats. So, Akin's victory is neither here nor there.
The point is, Akin is a non-human. The six-term Congressman has finally shown his true stripes. He seems to believe that in some circumstances, rape is 'legitimate'.
The way I understand the word, legit means lawful. And since laws are meant to be moral, some rapes are moral. This is a reprehensible point of view, irrespective of whether the rape victim gets pregnant or not.
There is no way America is going to accept a GOP Senate majority which includes Akin. And, maybe, they won't accept a Romney, who has Akin as a Senator. Obama must be chortling with glee.
August 22, 2012 - 8:43 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
What sort of idiot contends that Akin was describing "lawful" rape? Perhaps you should seek a local community college, for remedial English classes.
This willingness to embrace absolute absurdity demonstrates the dearth of intellect being applied here. And this lemming-like recoil demonstrates that the "Conservative" blogosphere and punditry is no longer willing to confront the fullness of the issue.
Political Correctness has won. Game over, no matter who wins. I think I'll just concern myself with my garden going forward. I doubt America will go any lower than France in the time I have left, and France really isn't that bad.
August 22, 2012 - 8:52 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
What kind of idiot contends that Akin was not describing some rapes as legit. He has not explained, and you do not. Perhaps you should go back, not to a community college, but to prep school. It's not PC I talk of but sheer anger.
August 22, 2012 - 9:20 am Link to this Comment | Reply
The Root '83
"legitimate" in that context is like saying "actually"
Like in Roe vs Wade, she was not "actually" or "ligitimately" raped as they alleged…they just made up that 'lil detail to make their case appear "stronger"
When Whooppie Goldburg can say "its not like it was RAPE rape" and get away with it, why are we so busy agreeing with the Left and mincing words with one of our own?
If it wasnt "this" extremist, it would be some other make-believe outrage of some other make believe "right wing bigot" for them to froth over. Its textbook Alinski, just f*cking deal with their lies with truth.
They are playing you like a fiddle, time to Man-up and tell THEM to STFU for a change.
August 22, 2012 - 1:15 pm Link to this Comment | Reply -
gray man
no you idiot, what he's saying is that just because a woman says she was raped doesn't mean she was actually raped. I believe a bunch of lacrosse players from Duke can attest to that.
August 22, 2012 - 4:29 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
26. SpareMe
If this is where we are today in America, where a full embrace of this or that chapter of the liberal dogma is required for membership, then I no longer have a party I can in good conscience align with.
I realize that I don't know, really, most of the people I thought I trusted. I will have to accept, I suppose, that the story of America has been written and the ending is inevitable.
My money and my efforts have been in vain, and I don't intend to waste even the most minor fraction of my time in these pursuits going forward. Screw the pundits, screw the bloggers.
There was nothing here. And this is the last time I associate with the cannibals who apparently comprise the majority of the GOP. I have no party.
I have myself, my spouse, and my home. The rest of you can die, for all I care.
August 22, 2012 - 9:17 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
I'm with you there….
The problems in this country are more than just bad fiscal management, its the moral decay that has allowed bad fiscal management to BE the norm…An such cannot ever be fixed without a change of character and Morals.
We have tried to fill the "more suitable" of the two parties with Decent Moral Just and truthful people, but that Party is not really interested in Principals….just some fleeting notion of an abstract, purely "administrative" victory from time to time, with business conducted as usual….
So as not to rock the boat too far and be be dis-invited to the chic parties thrown by the Beautiful People they aspire to be like, and near.
The Country was lost a very long time ago, these are merely the last convulsions of her Death Throws.
It may last another "cycle" or two, but the end is a foregone conclusion…the few who love her will fight on, will die fighting rather than surrender, but fight is, and has been, a Lost Cause for longer than I've been alive…
Let the others here dishonor themselves with the Devils Deal, my family and my character and my principals are more important than some imaginary "victory".
A hollow and meaningless "victory", achieved through servitude to the threats and demands of The Rabid Souless Left, by those who refuse to confront it for what it is, all in the name of "victory"
August 22, 2012 - 1:42 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
27. Ted
Winning isn't everything. Maybe for the Liberals, but look at what havoc that has reaped on the United States. But the Bush/Republicans didn't stop the trajectory. I know nothing about Akin, except that he has been blasted beyond recognition by the media and the Left (well, that's the same thing) as expected. But by the Right? That's shameful and indicative of the hopelessness of this election. Republicans in lockstep at the bidding of the Left-wing media simply abandoned a viable candidate, Akin. The reason the Republicans might not win the Senate is right there in their typical action: don't upset the Left-wing media that hates them and that for which they stand. It is same old, same old, reason they always lose, and might again.
Akin's comments – taken wrong, probably on purpose – weren't off the mark. A woman's body INVOLUNTARILY can and in some unknown number of cases does reject a foreign body when it (her body) is under duress such as in rape. The woman's body reacts and she has no control over such rejection or not. I believe that the notion of voluntary – her "choice" not to get pregnant – is the purposeful misinformation by the Left of what he meant. Such bodily rejection action is completely out of her control, but as with organ rejection is either done or not done involuntarily by the body.
August 22, 2012 - 9:34 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
"A woman's body INVOLUNTARILY can and in some unknown number of cases does reject a foreign body when it (her body) is under duress such as in rape."
No, it really, really does not do that. Nor can it do that. This is not a biological funtion which exists in humans. It has never been described by anyone except those who would use it as an excuse to claim that "you can't get pregnant by rape, so if you got pregnant it wasn't rape."
According to actual scientists, women can, and do, get pregnant when raped. You can google this, it's not hard to find.
Man, the tides of insanity are *really high* (also stinking) here today.
August 22, 2012 - 9:51 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
gray man
"No, it really, really does not do that. Nor can it do that."
sorry, real scientists and doctors are not on your side. A woman under extreme stress can reject her eggs. that is a fact of life. Ask any woman who works or lives in a stressful environment who cannot get pregnant. it's actually quite common.August 22, 2012 - 4:25 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
gray man
no one said it happens every time, but it happens enough to be statistically significant.
August 22, 2012 - 4:26 pm Link to this Comment | Reply -
OK, I gotta say I am really tired of this assertion being repeated as if it were true…the science is not on your side.
This kind of "science" is a load of $hit.
During the Bosnian/Serbian/Croat civil war that occurred during the 1990′s, rape was used as a method of war by all parties. From Wikipedia:
"A medical study of 68 Croatian and Bosniak victims of rape during the 1992-1995 war found that many suffered psychological problems as a result. None had any psychiatric history prior to the rapes. After the rapes 25 had suicidal thoughts, 58 suffered depression immediately after and 52 were still suffering from depression at the time of the study, one year later. Of the women 44 had been raped more than once and 21 of them had been raped daily throughout their captivity. Twenty nine of them had become pregnant and 17 had an abortion. The study reached the conclusion that the rapes had "deep immediate and long-term consequences on the mental health of the women."
I submit that 29 out of 68 becoming pregnant as a result of rape is not a rare thing, and that the "stress" these women were exposed to far exceeds anything the average working female in the US is exposed to in the workplace.
August 23, 2012 - 7:16 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
You cannot even get what the first guy is saying right, much less what I said. You're coming up with *yet another* mechanism by which rape is supposed to not get women pregnant, and *even then* you're still wrong.
Can I get a better class of idiot, please? This lot is *dumb*!
August 23, 2012 - 10:48 am Link to this Comment | Reply
28. Sarbo
Please, SpareMe, spare me as well. Do not distrust us, those who belong neither to the pundits nor the blogosphere, I, we, belong to neither. We belong to the street, those who will go out and vote in their multitudes. Screw the pundits and the bloggers all you like. Just don't screw us in the bargain. We don't want you or your spouse or your home. We want your family and your home to be your fortress and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in defending that fortress. "There was nothing here", you say. Do not despair. There was, and is, everything there. Wars are not won by those who do the blitzkrieg, they are won by those who stand their ground. I am with you, in body and spirit and I don't wish myself or you to die. I, we, care.
August 22, 2012 - 9:46 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
Maybe we could learn just a little thing from the DEMS . . . don't attack or remove support from one of your own even if you don't agree with something he said. It is foolish and short sighted to pull support on the assumption that he can't win.
Simply pointing out that there is a source for what Akin was thinking when he made the statement. Exactly what he said he recalled seeing / hearing. He wasn't making a medical finding and he is as honorable and conservative as any Republican. He is 100% pro-life: http://www.physiciansforlife.org/content/view/492/26/
August 22, 2012 - 9:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
30. Tanstaafl jw
It's not about abortion, it's about Akin's IQ.
August 22, 2012 - 9:50 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
The Root '83
Other than what people SAY about what he said, have you ever heard him speak before?
Ever heard his positions on any OTHER topics?
Finance, taxes, defense?
Yeah, me neither. Not in my State, never heard of the guy till now.Just like 99.999% of the people who talk about him, now.
But I DO know this:
Who ever The Media Left goes berzerk over, is generally the guy who OUGHT to be supported.
Whatever is acid in their eyes, is the Mothers Milk of Freedom, 99.999% of the time.
So, how about we Man-up and tell THEM to S.T.F.U.for a change?
August 22, 2012 - 1:51 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
31. Lawrence in New York
Conservatives driving off the cliff? First and foremost, is the article correct that Romney needs to push Atkins out because we cannot afford a loss of that Senate seat? As opposed to that Romney needs to replace him because of the damage the fallout that will be created on the National ticket while Atkins is running in Missouri?
Is the problem Atkins, or the smash face Democrats? Or smash face Conservatives?
Atkins is like Joe Biden. Open mouth, insert foot. Or both feet. As posters to blogs from Missouri have indicated, this statement by Atkins is not really surprising. He apparently periodically says unbelievably stupid things. This one is not particularly more grievous than his other comments. And apparently his making stupid statements has gone on apace with his whole career.
Witness to this are his strong wins in every election to the House, and his very strong showings in the Republican Primary to capture the Party's nomination to run for Senator in the General Election. All successful despite his habit of saying stupid things.
Lets look at the loss of the Senate seat. First, it will not be a loss, it is now a Democrat seat so it will be a failure to convert a Senate seat from the Democrats to the Republicans. The article wants to elevate this potential failure to spell doom for the Republican Party.
In 2012 there will be 23 Democratic seats and 10 Republican seats up for election. In 2010 there were 19 Democrat and 18 Republican seats in the election. Republicans made a net gain of 6 seats in 2010.
If the failure to convert one of those seats loses us everything, then the failure will be to convert enough of the 23 Democrats seats while still be protected by having only 10 Republican seats up for grabs.
So I guess the question is this – who is exaggerating and why? And I think the answer is that the Republicans and Conservatives fear the damage having Atkins around will do to the national ticket. And this is consistent with the assessment Conservatives have always had about Romney – that he is weak and not forceful enough.
But then again when Romney choose a VP, he passed over Conservatives and picked a Tea Party American.
Conservative Smash Face strategy – If Romney does replace Atkins and Romney has a big win nationally, Conservatives will attribute it to Romney taking their advice. And if Romney does not replace Atkins and squeaks by with a small win nationally, Conservatives will bray he did not take their advice.
And if Romney does not replace Atkins and has a strong national win? What will Conservatives say then? One wonders why Conservatives think like liberals.
August 22, 2012 - 10:05 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
32. Obi-jonKenobi
"If the GOP could think tactically, it would be dangerous. If it could think strategically, it would be a majority party. But it has too many Akins in it for either of those things ever to happen."
Maybe I shouldn't do this at the risk that you might actually grasp the true picture here, Michael, but the Akin problem goes far beyond Akin and acting "tactically" and thinking "strategically". Weren't you watching yesterday when the news came out of the RepubliCON platform plank that states the party is against abortion – EVEN IN THE CASE OF RAPE??? What's that saying about "timing is everything"? D'OH!
Weren't you paying attention when Akin and his fellow crazies in the House (co-sponsored by Ryan) passed their bill redefining rape? D'OH!!
You may have missed all this but most American voters – especially women – didn't. D'OH!!!
What Akin said the other day isn't an anomaly, he was expressing a CORE VALUE of the RepubliCONS with the kind of hyperbole that makes up the everyday conversation among CONservatives and isn't going away even if Akin does. D'OH!!!
August 22, 2012 - 10:09 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
33. George LeS
It's really simple. It's a key part of any conservative politician's job NOT to make dumb statements like that, which the other side can use against them. Sure, that rule doesn't apply to BHO, or Biden, or Kennedys, or any other libs. No one should be surprised at that. We play under different rules; get used to it.
It's like the excuse pols make all the time, "I used bad judgement." Uh, if you're in office, or running for one, the point is to show you have good judgement.
I just don't get the Akins case here.
August 22, 2012 - 10:20 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
34. steveg
The GOP cannot win either way on this subject. If they do nothing it will be a complete reinforcement by the media that this is the position of the party, whereas repudiating his comments gives them some seperation. I perused all the national media websites this morning, and they are making every effort to tie his comments with the GOP in general. Face it, we have a corrupt media, and there is little we can do about it.
Over the years I have done considerable study on how we have arrived at our current cesspool of a culture, and one name stands out. The person I am referring to is Antonio Gramsci who was instrumental in what later is referred to as euro communism. The communist in western europe wanted to soften their rhetoric so they concentrated on social reforms like feminist and gay liberation along with middle class public service unions. Does this sound familiar? This is basically the modern day platform of the Democrat party. What was considered extreme in 1975 is now considered normal, whereas what was considered normal in 1975 is now considered extreme.
You have to admit that the Alinsky trained left has done a admirable job presenting traditional americans as out of the current mainstream, but when you own the media it is not that great of a task I suppose.
August 22, 2012 - 10:57 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
35. Obi-jonKenobi
In an interview today on Pittsburg CBS affiliate, KDKA, first Vice Presidential candidate Ryan dodges the question. . .
Delano: "Should abortions to be available to women who are raped?"
Ryan: "Well, look, I'm proud of my pro-life record. And I stand by my pro-life record in Congress. It's something I'm proud of. But Mitt Romney is the top of the ticket and Mitt Romney will be president and he will set the policy of the Romney administration."
. . . and then runs away from the legislation he co-sponsored with the radioactive Akin. . .
Delano: "You sponsored legislation that has the language 'forcible rape.' What is forcible rape as opposed…"
Ryan: "Rape is rape. Rape is rape, period. End of story."
Delano: "So that forcible rape language meant nothing to you at the time?"
Ryan: "Rape is rape and there's no splitting hairs over rape."
. . . while publicly condemning and disowning Akin. DAMN that sneaky, "liberal" press for attempting to get Ryan to explain a position that is identical to Akin's!!
Here's your Ryan "profile in courage" and core, CONservative "principals" on display, people.
Any questions??
Meanwhile, the RepubliCON Party comes out yesterday with a plank in their party platform outlawing ALL abortion, even in the case of rape. D'OH!!
August 22, 2012 - 11:16 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
36. Master of Disaster
"Zygotes for Akin"
"If you get caught wanking in Missouri, you WILL go to jail for manslaughter"
August 22, 2012 - 11:24 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
You're getting ahead of the conversation, Woody, the life-in-prison-for-wanking bill comes AFTER the "personhood" bill is passed.
August 22, 2012 - 11:47 am Link to this Comment | Reply
37. Woody Oaks
Romney should dispatch Jim Talent from his campaign staff to return to Missouri to run as a write-in for his old Senate seat, and he should make it clear to every Republican in Missouri that anyone still working on Akin's campaign by this coming Monday should register as a Democrat as that person, even if a mere telephone volunteer, will have no future in the Republican party at all.
August 22, 2012 - 11:45 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
38. kjatexas
Don't think for a minute that Akin quitting the race will move the Democrats' message off of "the Republican war on women". Akin has given them ammunition, that they are going to shoot until November.
I am not even confident, assuming Akin drops out of the race, that such an action, can save the seat for a possible Republican pickup, by another candidate. Recovery from his stupidity just may not be possible.August 22, 2012 - 12:11 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Yes, the Democrats are (rightly) going to pound the RepubliCONs on the "war on women" not because of Akin – though his timely comments have put this war in the headlines – but because this war is real and is embedded in the core of the RepubliCON "values".
The party platform committee just agreed yesterday on a plank that will made abortion illegal even in the case of rape and Paul Ryan was a co-sponsor with Akin of a bill that attempted to redefine rape. That's where the language about "legitimate" rape came from.
You can't get more mainstream than these two examples and you can bet the Democrats are going to make sure everyone – especially women – know it.
August 22, 2012 - 12:24 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
39. Robert
Mr Walsh, The only thing I am sure of is, you want Romney to do away with Akin. If Romney sticks the shiv in Akin, and everyone is watching, is he any different than Obama? If he does the deed and no one knows where's the effect? Further, I don't see Romney with such authority. Isn't that the problem we have now? That is an extra-legal administration.
August 22, 2012 - 12:26 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
Robert, you are correct. I thought Republicans were allowed to speak freely. Akin is a pro-life candidate. It is that simple. Now, you Missouri voters can decide. Pro-life or pro-death. Claire McCaskill will give you the latter. And Repubpican elites who take it on themselves to silence or cast aside a legitimately elected candidate will lose my vote for Romney in Ohio. I don't believe in a Ruling Elite and I don't believe in Republican Speech Police.
August 22, 2012 - 2:16 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
40. FiveShooter
Who cares what he said. Huh? Obama proves that daily!
The DumberCrats and the RINOs continually produce a non-stop barrage of insanely idiotic comments and remarks and THEY keep getting re-elected.
The rule is
Vote the Most Conservative Candidate on the ticket.August 22, 2012 - 5:46 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
You got it, Shooter. Just look at the plethora of Progressive Socialists who call themselves Republicans, right here on PJ Media.
It's crazy.
August 22, 2012 - 9:05 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
41. Hollis
No matter what argument you make this is Missouri's business and everyone else better keep their nose out of it – or you are no different than the dems.
August 22, 2012 - 7:22 pm Link to this Comment | Reply -
42. Hollis
Some of you evidently want to make nice statements about being "pro-life" until it becomes inconvenient. Have the courage to stand up or go to another party. What hypocrites. Abortion is murder.
This is the GOP official policy:
"Faithful to the 'self-evident' truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children."
August 22, 2012 - 7:34 pm Link to this Comment | Reply-
The problem is his comments have nothing to do with being pro life at all! The guy thinks that women have some kind of protection from conceiving a child while being raped. Not only that but he thinks there's "legitimate rape" and "illegitimate rape" apparently. On top of all that he was being a weasel when answering the question in the first place. Clearly his position is that he believes there should be no exceptions under any circumstances. If he had been honest I could understand defending that but that's not the case. Listen to his interviews over the last couple of days. This guy is not a straight shooter worth defending. He's in it for himself only. Just another scumbag.
August 22, 2012 - 9:06 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
43. Hollis
Mr. Walsh, are you from Missouri? Your suggestions are an insult to an entire state. Stay out of it.
August 22, 2012 - 7:36 pm Link to this Comment | Reply -
44. JC Lincoln
Forget 'Circumlocution'! This Republican Party needs to be Circumcised!
August 23, 2012 - 12:19 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
45. arcaneone
In 2008 voted Republican for the first time in my life.I was all set to spurn
the Demsagain in 2012. Then Isaw Romney's energy plan.I f that's thinking outside the box,I 'mSantaClaus. Should you ever get the chance, please tell him
that at least one former supporter's reaction to his so-called energy policy
was to leave politics–this at a time when Oblama is maximally vulnerable and so
much rides on getting rid of him. The country is doomed.August 23, 2012 - 6:35 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
As opposed to the Left's energy policy, which is based primarily on unicorn farts and fairy dust. Generously subsidized, of course.
August 23, 2012 - 7:59 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
The "thinking" should be done by engineers and economists, not politicians. And I don't know any serious engineers or economists who think that shutting down what works in favor of what demonstrably doesn't (and can't) is a smart move.
"Green energy" = win for Riyadh.
August 23, 2012 - 10:38 am Link to this Comment | Reply-
I am employed in the engineering field, and I can tell you from first hand experience that the green intiatives, LEED, alternative energy, etc., is B.S.
The only logical conclusion I've been able to come up with regarding the supposed value of these systems is that an infinite value has to be placed upon a natural resource to justify most of the supposed energy saving approaches.
In practical terms, if you spend $10,000 to save 1 gallon of water it's worth it because…ta daaaaaaa……you saved 1 gallon of water.
It's no wonder that sector is failing so spectacularly, and once the democrats lose power expect the vast majority of these firms to go under as their federal incentives and funding dry up.
August 23, 2012 - 11:07 am Link to this Comment | Reply
46. Fred Beloit
From Mike's update: "Wonder what the Akin defenders have to say now [FB, i.e., after the first Rasmussen Poll]".
I don't know what anybody else would say, but I say it is too soon to tell. Often logic needs time to sink in (see Democrats going nuts about some lighthearted joke by Romney…is it time to dump Romney?…nah)
August 25, 2012 - 9:45 am Link to this Comment | Reply -
47. john
Republicans are over reacting. We are too used to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. So we are expecting disaster. No reason really to assume this Akin person is that disaster. Maybe he's fine. It is no secret most r's dont like killing babies very much. Despite the invective most people even if they are pro infanticde understand our misgivings.
August 27, 2012 - 8:55 pm Link to this Comment | Reply
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