Breaking: Senior GOP official: Akin advisors making preparations for a withdrawal tomorrow.
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Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 20, 2012Earlier today in an interview with Mike Huckabee, Akin indicated that he would not be dropping out of the race.
Twitchy will monitor this story as it develops and will update accordingly.
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Red State’s Erick Erickson is asserting that Akin will indeed withdraw:
Todd Akin will withdraw from the MO Senate race.—
Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 20, 2012
According to Buzzfeed’s Ben Smith, a senior GOP source has revealed that Akin may drop out of the race as early as 5:00 p.m. tomorrow:
Republican Source: Akin Moving To Withdraw buzzfeed.com/bensmith/repub… via @buzzfeed—
Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) August 20, 2012
Tomorrow afternoon is an important deadline: If he files papers to end his candidacy in Jefferson City tomorrow he can end his candidacy unilaterally; after that, he would have to file an application in court.
We are still awaiting confirmation of Akin’s intent to withdraw.
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Buzzfeed is updating its earlier report that Akin is leaving the race:
Update: Republican close to Akin says he's not going anywhere buzzfeed.com/bensmith/repub…—
Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) August 20, 2012
Additionally, Akin is still fundraising:
I am in this race to win. We need a conservative Senate. Help me defeat Claire by donating: secure.campaignsolutions.com/toddakin/donat… #mosen—
Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 20, 2012
Akin just Tweeted out a fundraising request, so…—
Nathan Wurtzel (@NathanWurtzel) August 20, 2012
It’s looking more and more like the chatter about Akin’s withdrawal is stemming from the Missouri GOP’s desire to replace him rather than remarks from his campaign:
Todd Akin says he is staying in. Consultants are whispering otherwise.—
Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 20, 2012
Whisper campaign to force Akin withdrawal underway. #MOsen—
Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 20, 2012
Akin got himself in trouble with a comment but MO GOP establishment hates him. Retribution.—
Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 20, 2012
For now, at least, it appears that Akin is trying to ride out the storm, but mounting pressure from Missouri Republicans and from the public may cause him to reconsider.
Just to be clear one more time, consultants involved are telling me Akin will withdraw. Akin & his campaign deny he will withdraw.—
Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 20, 2012