Conservatives wasted no time in distancing themselves from Missouri Rep. Todd Akin in August after the Senate candidate made ill-advised remarks on “legitimate rape” on a local television station, fueling Democrats’ “war on women” meme. While groups pulled their financial support from Akin in an effort to force him off the ticket, Akin defiantly vowed to stay in the race, and the passage of last night’s withdrawal deadline cemented an Akin showdown with Sen. Claire McCaskill in November.
Facing the possibility of another Democrat-controlled Senate, some conservatives are rallying to support Akin. Rick Santorum gave his support today, as did South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt.
We cannot afford 6 more yrs of @clairecmc. Today @JimDeMint & I endorse @ToddAkin for #MOSen http://t.co/8pmXjOm1
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) September 26, 2012
Today, I joined @RickSantorum to support @ToddAkin, a critical race to winning back the Senate. http://t.co/lJzIIcCp #MOSen
— Jim DeMint (@JimDeMint) September 26, 2012
https://twitter.com/mjselker/status/251139190664867840
Santorum and DeMint issued a joint statement, which read in part:
If Republicans are to win back the Senate and stop President Obama’s liberal agenda, we must defeat Senator Claire McCaskill in Missouri. Her support of President Obama’s job-killing, big-spending policies are sending our country into an economic abyss. And her passionate support of ObamaCare is ensuring healthcare costs go up while quality of care goes down. Simply put, we cannot afford six more years of Senator McCaskill.
Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the U.S. Senate. Todd will work to stop reckless spending, stop the out of control debt, repeal the government takeover of healthcare, support our military and defend life at every stage.
The Eagle Forum’s Phyllis Schlafly also pledged support on her website and appeared at an Akin campaign event.
UPDATE: Phyllis Schlafly Endorses Todd Akin in Missouri Race http://t.co/nr8oFwQW
— Laura (@laura502) September 26, 2012
The National Republican Senatorial Committee on Wednesday issued a statement that it might reconsider its choice to defund its support of Akin.
Annnnd the NRSC is back in #MOsen: http://t.co/lazfLcLo #WinMoSen
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 26, 2012
NRSC executive director Rob Jesmer said in a statement:
There is no question that for Missourians who believe we need to stop the reckless Washington spending, rein-in the role of government in people’s lives, and finally focus on growing jobs in this country, that Todd Akin is a far more preferable candidate than liberal Sen. Claire McCaskill. As with every Republican Senate candidate, we hope Todd Akin wins in November, and we will continue to monitor this race closely in the days ahead.
Despite media reports, not all conservatives have given up on the GOP winning back the seat.
Kudos to the MO GOP like @RoyBlunt who parted with Danforth and have stepped up to help make our senate seat red. #MOsen #WinMoSen
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 26, 2012
Winning the Senate is of paramount importance. Supporting & voting for @ToddAkin is a must. #WinMoSen #MoSen @ProducerSusan @ricksantorum
— Chris Loesch (@ChrisLoesch) September 26, 2012
@ChrisLoesch @ToddAkin @ProducerSusan @RickSantorum THX @NewtGingrich~Akin's voting record SPEAKS volumes (louder than 6 second dumb remark)
— Mary Jo (@MJLovesTx) September 26, 2012
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