In light of Rep. Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” comments, a few Republicans and/or conservatives are calling for Akin to step down with the hope that he can be replaced by another Republican candidate:
Todd Akin ought to step the heck down.
— Reihan Salam (@reihan) August 19, 2012
https://twitter.com/Neal_Inman/status/237267461022576640
@andylevy is there a way to get that idiot(Akin) to drop out?
— Peter J. Pappas (@vieracomics) August 19, 2012
GOP strategist Patrick Ruffini mentioned a “Torricelli situation” — a reference to former New Jersey Democrat Sen. Robert Torricelli, who withdrew from his Senate re-election race after it was disclosed that he had received illegal contributions to his campaign. Torricelli was replaced by former U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, who went on to win the election.
I think we may have a Torricelli situation here.
— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) August 19, 2012
Conservative Dana Loesch, on the other hand, apparently isn’t ready to throw Akin under the bus:
Wow, I see a lot of people freaking out over Akin's remarks.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 19, 2012
Update: More Republicans/conservatives voice their support for the “Torricelli solution”:
https://twitter.com/fairflattaxnow/status/237283276576940032
@DLoesch according to the CDC 32,000 women a year get pregnant from being "legitimately" raped. Akin needs to step down.
— Ryan (@rjc115) August 19, 2012
“@PoliticsOfFear: RT @TwitchyPolitics: Some Republicans say Rep. Todd Akin should step down http://t.co/rooOqkQC” yes – get out caveman
— Dee Dee Sorvino (@deedeegop) August 19, 2012
RT @PatrickRuffini: RT if you're a Republican who thinks Akin should step down
— BRODIGANe (@brodigan) August 19, 2012
Can he be replaced on the ballot? If so, RT @PatrickRuffini: RT if you're a Republican who thinks Akin should step down
— Kyle Farmer (@kylefarmer) August 19, 2012
https://twitter.com/DAVID_MIGHT/status/237280990849036288
Hard to conclude otherwise. RT @brodigan: RT @PatrickRuffini: RT if you're a Republican who thinks Akin should step down
— Glen Asbury (@glenasbury) August 19, 2012
Talking Points Memo has the same story, five hours after Twitchy:
Conservative Activists Call On Akin To Quit Race After ‘Legitimate Rape’ Comment http://t.co/N6Ick5UQ via @TPM
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) August 20, 2012
