Oof. Todd Akin must have gotten to Mike Huckabee after his “apology” earlier this week on Huckabee’s radio show. In an email today to his supporters, Huckabee blasted Republicans calling for Akin to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race.
The Party’s leaders have for reasons that aren’t rational, left him behind on the political battlefield, wounded and bleeding, a casualty of his self-inflicted, but not intentional wound. In a Party that supposedly stands for life, it was tragic to see the carefully orchestrated and systematic attack on a fellow Republican. Not for a moral failure or corruption or a criminal act, but for a misstatement which he contritely and utterly repudiated. I was shocked by GOP leaders and elected officials who rushed so quickly to end the political life of a candidate over a mistaken comment in an interview. This was a serious mistake, but it was blown out of proportion not by the left, but by Akin’s own Republican Party. Is this what the party really thinks of principled pro-life advocates? Do we forgive and forget the verbal gaffes of Republicans who are “conveniently pro-life” for political advantage, but crucify one who truly believes that every life is sacred?
Who ordered this “Code Red” on Akin? There were talking point memos sent from the National Republican Senatorial Committee suggesting language to urge Akin to drop out. Political consultants were ordered to stay away from Akin or lose future business with GOP committees. Operatives were recruited to set up a network of pastors to call Akin to urge him to get out. Money has changed hands to push him off the plank. It is disgraceful. From the spotlights of political offices and media perches, it may appear that the demand for Akin’s head is universal in the party. I assure you it is not. There is a vast, but mostly quiet army of people who have an innate sense of fairness and don’t like to see a fellow political pilgrim bullied. If Todd Akin loses the Senate seat, I will not blame Todd Akin. He made his mistake, but was man enough to admit it and apologize. I’m waiting for the apology from whoever the genius was on the high pedestals of our party who thought it wise to not only shoot our wounded, but run over him with tanks and trucks and then feed his body to the liberal wolves. It wasn’t just Todd Akin that was treated with contempt by the thinly veiled attack on Todd Akin. It was all the people who have faithfully knocked doors, made calls, and made sacrificial contributions to elect Republicans because we thought we were welcome in the party. Todd Akin owned his mistake. Who will step up and admit the effort being made to discredit Akin and apologize for the sleazy way it’s been handled?
Liberals are reveling in Huckabee’s Akin defense:
https://twitter.com/FixAaron/status/238705565696659456
Yup RT @FixAaron Well that should just about do it: Huckabee digs in behind Akin. http://t.co/w42tZMFY
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/stephenmk/status/238720404439580672
so Huckabee supports Akin and says he's being bullied? give me a break. how much longer before he starts an Akin Appreciation Day?
— jason (@garmonbozia) August 23, 2012
I’d like to thank Mike Huckabee for throwing a gallon of gasoline on the Akin fire: http://t.co/5sfpyV4v
— Marc Love (@marcslove) August 23, 2012
Lol at #tcot today #p2 RT @nationaljournal: Huckabee Defends Akin, Wants Him to Stay in Race http://t.co/EEuwBHIk
— Dave McW ? (@DaveMc99TA) August 23, 2012
Huckabee has a handful of Republicans backing him up:
He's right… RT @tobyharnden: Huckabee blasts GOP for shooting a wounded Akin, running him over w (cont) http://t.co/CnawGG0i
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) August 23, 2012
Huckabee's wrong. GOP didn't just shoot Akin, crush him w tanks & feed body to wolves They also urinated on his corpse.
— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) August 23, 2012
Well put. RT @Markhalperin Huckabee goes all-in with Akin w/email blasting the establishment and explaining why he is standing by his friend
— My Way (@mywaymo) August 23, 2012
But by and large, conservatives are facepalming. Hard:
https://twitter.com/johnhawkinsrwn/status/238718206158704641
@guypbenson some reports Huckabee says Akin should stay in. #disgrace
— TG47 (@dudescript) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/NanceHanson/status/238708387020410880
Ugh… RT @AoSHQ: Mike Huckabee: I'm All-In For This Great Candidate Akin, and If You're Not, You're a RINO http://t.co/tjtmBzjF
— Michele Frost (@michelelfrost) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/Xdiddos/status/238714111469432832
It's unfortunate that Mike Huckabee and Todd Akin have become Harry Reid's best hopes. http://t.co/XrrDICzV
— Media Critic (R) (@TheMSMCritic) August 23, 2012
Cue head-banger, human torch stick figures… MT @HotlineJosh Huckabee defends Akin, urges him to stay in #MOSEN race. http://t.co/awu376Wm
— The 12th Fan (@Josh_Painter) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/lybr3/status/238710939866783744
Huckabee must be destroyed at all costs. He's giving aid and comfort to Akin. http://t.co/zq7ogp8W
— Seth (@dcseth) August 23, 2012
Townhall‘s Guy Benson posed the question as to whether Huckabee, who is slated to speak at the Republican National Convention, should be replaced with someone else:
Time to yank Huck's RNC speaking slot? MT @FixAaron: Huckabee digs in behind Akin. http://t.co/2EPuh6gh
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 23, 2012
Several people objected to the prospect of Huckabee being pulled from the lineup:
To those who think Romney should remove Huckabee's convention speech over Akin, I promise you Romney will lose election if he does that.
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) August 23, 2012
Correct MT @bdomenech Huckabee's work on Romneys behalf mattered, and removing him from speaking slot over Akin endorsement… very risky.
— Paul Seale (@paulvseale) August 23, 2012
Plus his fans. RT @daveweigel: Downside of pissing off a guy with a PAC, TV and radio show > downside of letting him talk for 10 mins
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 23, 2012
Yeah, quietly reassigning Huck for a shorter/earlier speech may be better than dumping him altogether. @bdomenech @JRubinBlogger @daveweigel
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 23, 2012
Most conservatives, though, were in favor of Huckabee being cut:
Past time. RT @guypbenson: Time to yank Huck's RNC speaking slot? MT @FixAaron: Huckabee digs in behind Akin. http://t.co/H1Wh5dWf
— Melissa Mackenzie (@MelissaTweets) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/BenK84/status/238706303701229568
https://twitter.com/llondo/status/238718321355268096
@bdomenech F*** it. Huckabee needs to be taught a lesson too. Cancel him. The rat. #mosen #akin
— Media Critic (R) (@TheMSMCritic) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/joshbranson/status/238710012913008640
Yes #DropOutTodd RT @guypbenson: Time to yank Huck's RNC speaking slot? MT @FixAaron: Huckabee digs in behind Akin. http://t.co/qk4AEKd3
— Dan (@Daniel__78) August 23, 2012
https://twitter.com/BrentTeichman/status/238706812612927489
Over the past week, the Akin fiasco has only gotten messier and messier. And just when we’re convinced it can’t get any more head-desk-worthy, another bomb drops. What else could possibly be in store for the GOP? Commentary‘s John Podhoretz has a bold idea:
Well, after November, Akin could be Huckabee's Ed McMahon on his Fox show.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) August 23, 2012
Oh boy.
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