With the deadline having come and gone for Rep. Todd Akin to withdraw without penalty from the race for a Missouri U.S. Senate seat, Akin has set up an online petition (and call for donations) called “Still Standing.”
“We all make mistakes,” says a statement on the site. “When you make a mistake you tell people you’re sorry, you don’t try and hide it. I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
Although Akin’s tweet blames the liberal media for the pressure on him to withdraw his candidacy, followers note that conservatives’ voices were the loudest. Just hours before, Sean Hannity had urged Akin, a guest on his radio show, to drop out of the race, citing calls from Mitt Romney and others for Akin to bow out.
@ToddAkin Liberal media? Your own PARTY is trying to make you drop out.
— Barb #WhoWasThatMaskedMan (@barb_hill) August 22, 2012
@ToddAkin Uh, I think ALL media and the Republican Party are trying to send you a message.
— Joe Remi (@JoeOfTheNorth) August 22, 2012
https://twitter.com/jashsf/status/238064204341473280
https://twitter.com/MichaelMcGuire_/status/238064012598857728
https://twitter.com/jesseberney/status/238068219473195008
https://twitter.com/CameronAtfield/status/238069327864164352
@ToddAkin– No, the liberal media desperately wants you to STAY in the race. It's Mitt, Ryan, Blunt & Miss McConnell who want you to drop out
— Howie Klein (@downwithtyranny) August 22, 2012
https://twitter.com/TabithaHale/status/238070187897810945
Akin thinks "the liberal media" wants him to drop out. Umm, no, Akin. I'm pretty sure they'd love you to stay in as long as you'd like.
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) August 22, 2012
.@toddakin complains the "liberal media" is trying to force him out of the race. Need I list all the Republicans asking him to step down?
— Jared Halpern (@JaredHalpern) August 22, 2012
Akin’s statements today strongly suggest he’s determined to stay in the race for good, although he has until September 25 to withdraw with a court order.
Update:
More from Akin on the intimidation tactics of the “liberal elite”:
We can't be intimidated by the liberal elite. I will continue standing for life. Will you? https://t.co/PZAfBLWg
— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 22, 2012
A lot of negativity has been driven my way by the liberal elite. Makes me even more thankful for your support #stillstanding
— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 22, 2012
RT this if you won't let the liberal elite push you around! https://t.co/PZAfBLWg
— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 22, 2012
Donations are pouring in. Thank you for standing up against the liberal elite https://t.co/PZAfBLWg
— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 22, 2012
We have raised our online fundraising goal. Help us hit $10k to fight the liberal elite https://t.co/PZAfBLWg
— Todd Akin (@ToddAkin) August 22, 2012
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