When Rep. Todd Akin appeared on Sean Hannity’s radio show yesterday, the host urged him on air to drop out of the Missouri Senate race. With a deadline to withdraw from the race looming, Akin returned to Hannity’s show today, and certainly didn’t sound like someone who was going anywhere.
Akin up on Hannity in few minutes to announce bold decision to destroy hopes of Republicans reclaiming their political destinies
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) August 21, 2012
https://twitter.com/Jon_Rollings/status/238011132747583488
Wonder if Akin will announce on #Hannity's radio show if he's dropping out? He's on next. #LNYHBT
— Tish (@KamaainaInOC) August 21, 2012
he better. RT @KamaainaInOC: Wonder if Akin will announce on #Hannity's radio show if he's dropping out? He's on next. #LNYHBT
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) August 21, 2012
“Where are you now?” Hannity asks, a day later. Akin said he “misplaced” the word legitimate but stands by his comments.
Akin, on Hannity, quoting Dr. Willke (progenitor of the "forcible rape" idea) to say his apology is enough.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) August 21, 2012
Akin on Hannity, not exactly effusively apologetic: "I am sorry because I put the word in the wrong place"
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) August 21, 2012
Rep. Akin to Hannity: "I'm no medical expert. I don't pretend to know percentages and things like that."
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) August 21, 2012
Confronted on air with Mitt Romney’s call for his withdrawal, along with a list of other Republicans who have gone on record asking him to leave, Akin had no direct response.
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https://twitter.com/mccanner/status/238012787085946880
Akin on Hannity now. He acted like he didn't know Mitt asked him to leave race.
— p.j. Kansas (@pjkansas) August 21, 2012
Hannity citing top Repubs asking Akin to exit the Senate race. Akin: "blablablablabla" He's got no answer.
— Debra Heine (@NiceDeb) August 21, 2012
Hannity asks Akin about GOPers telling him to quit; Akin responds with word salad. He's not quitting
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) August 21, 2012
Akin instead referred to the voters who put him in office and their values. “Those values are important, and someone’s got to talk about them,” Akin said. Akin added that “fears and paranoia” about his staying in the race don’t play out in the poll numbers.
Hannity now asking about a 1997 candidate Akin urged to get out of a race, over DUIs. Akin says "well those were DUIs"
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) August 21, 2012
Rep. Akin: "There is quite a difference with someone who has broken the law. I misspoke one word on one day." #Hannity
— Karen Barlow (@KJBar) August 21, 2012
“I would leave the race,” Hannity said directly, suggesting that Akin has become a distraction.
https://twitter.com/jonswaine/status/238014791904542721
https://twitter.com/elisefoley/status/238015013397331968
Akin is frustrating the hell out of hannity right now. Sean: "GET OUT!" Akin: "Principle, polls, America, party, ideals, America, America."
— Burn, Democrat-Run Cities, Burn! (@NolteNC) August 21, 2012
https://twitter.com/pettybooshwah/status/238016464827846656
After listening to Todd Akin on Hannity I have the sick feeling that we are going to be living with Obamacare for a long long time…
— 5ini5ter (@5ini5ter) August 21, 2012
Akin tells Hannity he will remain in race despite pressure from Romney and top GOP. Some in the state tell me he can still beat McCaskill.
— Susan Ferrechio (@susanferrechio) August 21, 2012
After a break, Hannity engaged in some wishful thinking on his part, reintroducing Akin as the Senate candidate “as of now.”
Hannity reintroduces Akin as "the Senate candidate as of now…"
— Daniel Strauss (@DanielStrauss4) August 21, 2012
Akin called the furor surround his comments “hyperbole” and dismissed suggestions that his continued candidacy would somehow harm the Romney campaign.
Rep. Akin to Hannity, on Romney's statement: "Why couldn't he run his race, and I run mine?"
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) August 21, 2012
Akin said he had spoken with Paul Ryan, who recognized Akin had “a tough decision to make” and urged him to consider stepping down.
Akin tells Hannity that Ryan "thought I should give some thought to stepping down," but he didn't tell me what to do
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) August 21, 2012
Rep. Akin to Hannity: Ryan said should give some thought to stepping down
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) August 21, 2012
Akin repeated that the media had blown his remarks out of proportion.
Akin to Hannity: "The Republican Party has bid this thing up to make it a lot bigger deal than it really needed to be."
— News-Leader (@springfieldNL) August 21, 2012
Akin on Hannity show now stretching to 45 minutes. Hannity trying to talk Akin out of running. Akin's not budging.
— MNH News Team (@MONewsHorizon) August 21, 2012
The difference between train wrecks and @ToddAkin? Train wrecks end. #Akin
— Stephen Green (@VodkaPundit) August 21, 2012
“If Mitt Romney got on the phone in the next 10 minutes and asked you to get out,” Hannity concluded, “what would you say to him?”
“My decision is to stay in this race … and to reclaim our God-given values,” Akin said.
Akin on Hannity “My decision is to stay in this race & take to the people of Missouri the things that have made this a great country” #MoSen
— Ryan Famuliner (@RyanFamuliner) August 21, 2012
Hannity, upon concluding Akin chat: "The person who's going to be happiest with this interview is Claire McCaskill."
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) August 21, 2012
Despite Hannity’s relentless calls for Akin to drop out, the interview did win Akin a few fans as well.
Listened to the @ToddAkin interview on Hannity during the drive home. I'll say this, the Congressman is exhaustingly resolute.
— Jared Halpern (@JaredHalpern) August 21, 2012
Hannity is WRONG. Akin should stay in and Conservatives should rally around him and stop wringing their hands. A pox on Karl Rove et. Al.
— Greg M. Legakis (@glegakis) August 21, 2012
After listening to Todd Akin on Hannity I'm even more convinced He is We The People, T Party needs to heavily support this man
— Uncle Dub (@daledurbin) August 21, 2012
Audio:
https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/238031256611328000
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