Difference between revisions of "Todd Akin"

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Rep. '''Todd Akin''' (R - [[MO]]) is a [[movement conservative]] in [[Missouri]] who is the [[Republican Party]] nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2012.  He has represented a portion of the greater [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]] area in the [[House of Representatives]] since 2000.  Prior to that he served 12 years in the Missouri General Assembly. In late July 2011 he said, "... at the heart of [[liberalism]] really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace [[God]]." [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-todd-akin-refuses-to-apologize-for-saying-at-the-heart-of-liberalism-is-a-hatred-for-god/] [http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/06/28/congressmans-claim-liberals-hate-god/]
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{{Officeholder
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|name=Todd Akin
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|image=Todd Akin, official 109th Congress photo.jpg
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|party=[[Republican]]
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|spouse=Lulli Boe
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|religion=[[Christian]]
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|offices=
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{{Officeholder/representative
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|state=Missouri
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|district=2nd
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|terms=January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013
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|preceded=[[Jim Talent]]
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|former=y
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|succeeded=Ann Wagner
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}}
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{{Officeholder/misc
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|office=Missouri House of Representatives, 86th district
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|terms=January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2001
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|preceded=John Hancock
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|succeeded=Jane Cunningham
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}}
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{{Officeholder/misc
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|office=Missouri House of Representatives, 85th district
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|terms=January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993
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|preceded=Franc Flotron
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|succeeded=Chris Liese
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}}
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}}
  
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Todd Akin has never lost an election, and has repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who have spent far more money than he has.
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'''William Todd Akin''' (born July 5, 1947) is the former [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[House of Representatives|Representative]] for [[Missouri]]'s second congressional district. In 2012 he was the Republican nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2012, which he lost against the incumbent [[Democratic]] [[senator]] [[Claire McCaskill]] in November 2012 when a [[libertarian]] candidate siphoned off support. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that he served 12 years in the Missouri General Assembly.  He was replaced in the second district House seat by fellow Republican Ann L. Wagner, who won her race.
  
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A [[veteran]], Congressman Akin has been a leader on military issues in the [[Republican Party]] in [[Congress]].  He is also a minister who has championed the greater use of [[prayer]] and charity.  His family has [[homeschooled]] their children.
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Todd Akin repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who have spent far more money than he has, and lost only after the [[liberal media]] made it a priority to defeat him and [[pro-aborts]] nationwide poured money into the campaign of his opponent.
  
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== [[Media bullying]] of Akin ==
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[[Conservapedia]] was paying attention to Akin's Senate run and conservative status years before the liberal media and [[RINO Backers]] ganged up against him.<ref>http://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Nominations_2012&action=historysubmit&diff=1003072&oldid=1003071#Republican_Contenders_for_the_Nomination</ref> After [[Mitt Romney]] unnecessarily denounced Todd Akin, Romney himself lost credibility and [[pro-life]] support, and was then defeated by [[Barack Obama]] by a larger-than-expected margin in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.
  
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In August 2012, Akin addressed a suggestion that there should be a broad rape exception to any limits on [[abortion]]. He suggested that females are able to avoid pregnancy during "legitimate" rape:
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==Early life and career==
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{{cquote|"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child."}}
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Akin is the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Paul B. Akin. Both Akin's father and grandfather served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Laclede Steel Company.  He graduated from the [[Worcester Polytechnic Institute]] in Worcester, [[Massachusetts]], with a B.S. degree in engineering in 1971.<ref name=bluebook/>
  
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Akin quickly received flak from both the left and right on both the limit of abortions for rape victims and the use of the word "legitimate".  Akin's insensitivity to the emotional and physical damage by rape has led to calls by nearly all public officials for him to step down.  Refusing, Akin has claimed he misspoke.
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Following his college graduation, he served as an officer in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] with the Army Combat Engineers,  then served in the Army Reserve until 1980.<ref name=bluebook>[http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2Fstatepub&CISOPTR=99477&REC=17&CISOBOX=akin  Official Manual of the State of Missouri, 1993-1994], p. 157</ref><ref>[http://akin.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=2 Biography], Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri's 2nd District, retrieved August 23, 2012.</ref> After leaving active duty, Akin worked as a salesman for IBM marketing large computer systems, and later went to work in management in the family steel business.<ref name=bluebook/>
  
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The Romney-Ryan campaign, which had already caved in to [[liberals]] on abortion and other important social issues, then ran away from Todd Akin's principled stance in a manner that reflected poorly on Romney and Ryan.<ref>http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/mitt-romney-slams-lawmaker-todd-akins-rape-comments/story-fnd134gw-1226454546819</ref>  [[RINO]]s tried to pressure Akin into withdrawing from the race for the [[U.S. Senate]], so that a more [[liberal]], Establishment-supported candidate could be nominated. Former Vice-Presidential candidate and Alaska Governor [[Sarah Palin]] also called for Akin to pull out of the race.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79976.html?hp=f3 Sarah Palin weighs in on Todd Akin] by Katie Glueck, August 22, 2012, politico.com, retrieved August 22, 2012.</ref> Akin stood up against the pressure and rejected the demands.
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In 1984, Akin earned a divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, but entered politics rather than the ministry.<ref name=legacy>{{cite news|title=Small legacy, loyal allies|author=Stephanie McCrummen and David A Fahrenthold|work=Washington Post|date=August 23, 2012|page=A1}}</ref> He was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1988.<ref name=legacy/>
  
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Todd Akin has stood up against [[media bullying]] and name-calling by [[liberals]] such as Piers Morgan of ''[[CNN]]''.<ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/piers-morgan-calls-todd-akin-gutless-little-twerp-132635.html</ref>
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==2012 Senate Campaign==
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Akin won the August 7, 2012 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in a three-way field.<ref name=wsj2>{{cite news|title=Todd Akin's Sinking Ship|work=Wall Street Journal|page=A12|date=August 21, 2012}}</ref> Akin was endorsed by fellow Representatives [[Michele Bachmann]] and [[Steve King]],<ref>https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/24282/akin_tea_party_endorsement_041212</ref> the [[Club for Growth]] and the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]] backed John Brunner in the primary, while [[Sarah Palin]] supported former state official Sarah Steelman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Akin case tests power of GOP's heirarchy|author=Paul Kane and Ed O'Keefe|work=Washington Post|page=A4|date=August 22, 2012}}</ref>  In an April primary debate, Akin said that federally guaranteed student loans were a "Stage 3 cancer of socialism."<ref name=wp910>{{cite news|title=With Senate at stake, GOP awaits Akin's next move|author=Rosalind S. Helderman and Jason Horowitz|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-senate-at-stake-gop-waits-on-akins-next-move-mccaskill-goes-on-offense/2012/09/09/584d77bc-f8ef-11e1-8398-0327ab83ab91_story.html|work=Washington Post|page=A1|date=September 10, 2012}}</ref>
  
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== References ==
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Akin ran against the Democratic incumbent [[Claire McCaskill]] in the general election.  Two weeks after his primary victory, Akin defended his principled [[pro-life]] position by indicating his opposition to [[abortion]] for pregnancy supposedly due to rape. A media firestorm ensued (see below), perhaps initiated by [[RINO]]s, but true [[conservatives]] defended Akin's principled remarks.  For example, Connie Mackey of the [[Family Research Council]] called the discussion of Akin's remarks "another case of 'gotcha politics' against a conservative leader."<ref name=wsj/> On August 22, Akin met with leaders of the [[Council for National Policy]] in Tampa, Florida, who indicated their unwavering support for his campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80027.html|title=Todd Akin in Tampa with top social conservatives|date=August 22, 2012|work=Politico|first=Kate|last=Nocera|accessdate=August 23, 2012}}</ref> On August 24, 2012, Akin held a press conference to announce, "We are going to be here through the November election and we are going to be here to win,” he said. Akin added, “there may be some negotiations but they don’t include me.”<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/08/24/todd-akin-we-are-going-to-be-here-through-the-november-election/|title=Todd Akin: ‘We are going to be here through the November election’|work=Washington Post|date=August 24, 2012|first=Sean|last=Sullivan|accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref> At the Missouri delegation breakfast at the Republican National Convention, many delegates voiced support for Akin's candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80203.html?hp=t3_3|title=Missouri delegates angry at Mitt Romney over Todd Akin|first=Manu|last=Raju|date=August 27, 2012|accessdate=September 2, 2012|work=Politico}}</ref>
  
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<references/>
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McCaskill, for a time, did not comment directly on Akin's abortion remarks in her campaign, but instead focused upon Akin's remarks comparing student loans to Stage 3 cancer.<ref name=wp910/> [[RINO Backers]] demanded that Todd Akin remove his name from the ballot by September 25, 2012, while the principled Akin repeatedly made it clear that he was campaigning to win, and was projected to do better on [[Election Day]] than many of the RINOs would.<ref name=wp910/>
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By September 23, as the polls nationwide showed the Senate races tightening and Akin showed no sign of giving up the fight, Newt Gingrich urged the party to let him back into the fold and at least one campaign finance group started to reconsider the wisdom of leaving Akin to fight alone.<ref>http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/09/24/2703769/conservative-fund-considers-backing.html</ref> On Wednesday 26th, Rick Santorum and Jim DeMint publicly endorsed Akin for Senate, in a joint statement saying "we cannot afford six more years of Senator McCaskill." <ref>https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/09/santorum-demint-back-akin-136707.html</ref> On Friday 28 September, Akin confirmed that he had been arrested at an anti-abortion protest at a clinic some 25 years ago.<ref>https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/09/akin-speaks-about-old-arrest-at-abortion-clinic-136954.html</ref> By then, former Missouri governor [[Kit Bond]] had endorsed Akin for Senate, and RNC chairman [[Reince Priebus]] had backed off on his earlier vows not to provide a penny to Akin.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57522102/kit-bond-to-endorse-akin-priebus-hints-at-rnc-support/</ref>
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Even while ostracised by the party, Akin drew over $600,000 in small donations.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/us/politics/todd-akin-counts-on-support-of-home-schoolers.html?ref=politics</ref>
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The Republican Party was not united in this reconciliation, however. On September 30 Governor [[Chris Christie]] of New Jersey told ABC's ''This Week'' emphatically that he opposed the endorsement of Akin. A recent Rasmussen poll had shown Senator McCaskill leading Akin by 49 to 43 points among likely voters.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/2012/10/01/christie-says-gop-should-not-support-missouris-akin/</ref>  Closer to election day, McCaskill ran radio and television spots featuring clips from [[Rino Backers]] criticizing Akin.<ref>http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/nick-pistor/claire-mccaskill-features-mitt-romney-in-new-ad/article_5c4a5e19-82b8-5d3d-b9b3-6d740bcc3e57.html</ref>
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Federal Election Committee documents released after the election showed that the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) quietly attempted to salvage Akin's campaign as election day approached, making two donations totaling $760,000 to the Missouri Republicans at the beginning of November, 2012. The Missouri Party spent nearly that much money on large ad buys in the name of "W. Todd Akin" at the same time. Akin's adviser Rick Tyler has commented that by then the damage was done by NRSC's and Karl Rove's earlier actions. "They came in because they finally accepted what I had been saying publicly for weeks and that is that it was not possible to win a majority in the Senate without winning Missouri.  But by the time they spent the money we were already going to lose Senate seats not gain them.  It was too late." <ref name="hill.com_20121207">Alexandra Jaffe, _The Hill_, December 7, 2012, [https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/271617-nrsc-funneled-760k-to-missouri-gop-in-final-days-of-election NRSC funneled $760K to Missouri GOP in final days of election]</ref>
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Ultimately, Todd Akin lost the election to Claire McCaskill 39.2% to 54.7%.<ref>https://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Senate/2012/</ref>
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===Comments on rape and pregnancy===
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''See also'' [[Media bullying]].
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On August 19, 2012, in a local television interview with KTVI, Todd Akin rejected a suggestion that there should be a broad [[rape]] exception to limits on [[abortion]]. Akin distinguished between an actual rape and a false allegation of rape by referring to the former as a "legitimate rape," terminology that the [[liberal media]] then unfairly took out of context to engage in demagoguery against him.
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Akin's statement from the interview was:<ref>McMorris-Santoro, Evan. "Republican Senate Nominee: Victims Of ‘Legitimate Rape’ Don’t Get Pregnant." August 19, 2012. Talking Points Memo. http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/todd-akin-legitimate-rape.php</ref>
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{{cquote|First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn't work or something, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.}}
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Akin restated the same fact that has been published in the medical literature, which is that the incidence of pregnancy due to rape is rare. For example, the 6th Edition (2012) of the classic textbook by Lentz confirms:<ref>Lentz: Comprehensive Gynecology, 6th ed. (2012)</ref>
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{{cquote|In the experience of most sexual assault centers, the chance of pregnancy occurring is quite low.}}
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An objective medical commentator, citing a published statistic that pregnancy from rape occurs only 1 in 50 times, observed that Akin was not wrong in his medical observation, and that false allegations of rape obviously do occur.<ref>https://www.wnd.com/2012/08/akin-not-far-off-base-in-rape-comment/</ref>
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Published peer-reviewed studies confirm that stress—which rape would induce—interferes with the establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy:<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22687324</ref>
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{{cquote|stress-related biomarkers ... affect establishment of pregnancy.}}
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"Hormones and other chemicals wreak havoc on the uterus" due to stress, as reported in 2003 in this peer-reviewed study:<ref>http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20030605/how-stress-causes-miscarriage</ref>
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{{cquote|In what may prove to be a breakthrough finding, a team of scientists from Tufts University and Greece have identified a suspected chain reaction detailing exactly how stress hormones and other chemicals wreak havoc on the uterus and fetus.}}
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The [[Mitt Romney|Romney]]-[[Paul Ryan|Ryan]] campaign, which had already caved in to [[liberals]] on abortion and other important social issues, then ran away from Todd Akin's principled stance in a manner that reflected poorly on Romney and Ryan.<ref>http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/mitt-romney-slams-lawmaker-todd-akins-rape-comments/story-fnd134gw-1226454546819</ref>  [[RINO]]s tried to pressure Akin into withdrawing from the race for [[U.S. Senate]], so that a more [[liberal]], Establishment-supported candidate could be nominated.  Akin stood up against the pressure and rejected the liberal demands.
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Todd Akin has stood up against [[media bullying]] and namecalling by [[liberals]] such as [[Piers Morgan]] of ''[[CNN]]''.<ref>https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/piers-morgan-calls-todd-akin-gutless-little-twerp-132635.html</ref>
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===Apology about the wording===
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In response to the demagoguery against him, Akin issued a general apology to anyone who misunderstood what he was saying.<ref>"Akin says he misspoke when making a comment about rape and abortion during the taping of The Jaco Report on FOX 2." [http://fox2now.com/2012/08/19/the-jaco-report-august-19-2012/]</ref> "I made a mistake. What I said was ill-conceived and it was wrong and for that I apologize." <ref>[http://www.akin.org/]</ref>
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President [[Obama]] tried unsuccessfully to exploit the issue for personal gain with an unusual statement to the press on August 21: "So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health-care decisions on behalf of women."<ref name=wsj/> [[RINO Backers]], including Senators [[Mitch McConnell]], [[John Cornyn]], [[Scott Brown]] and [[Ron Johnson]], appeared to be acting on talking points provided to them as they rudely and unsuccessfully urged Akin to withdraw from the race.<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|title=Crucial Senate Race in Uproar|author=Naftali Bendavid and Louise Radnofsky|work=Wall Street Journal|date=August 21, 2012|page=A1}}</ref><ref name=wp>{{cite news|title=Republicans look to force Akin out of Senate race|author=Paul Kane and Nia-Malika Henderson|work=Washington Post|date=August 21, 2012|page=A1}}</ref>
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In September, Akin's wife, Lulli, brought more media attention to the "rape" comment by using a rape metaphor in an interview with the ''National Journal''.  She said, "Party bosses dictating who is allowed to advance through the party and make all of the decisions &mdash; it's just like 1776 in that way."  She added that colonalists "rose up and said, 'Not in my home, you don't come and rape my daughters and my ... wife.' But that is where we are again."<ref>{{cite news|title=In Mo. race, that word again|page=A4|work=Washington Post|author=Diana Reese|date=September 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/09/18/todd-akin-wife-rape-tyranny-missouri-senate/70000588/1#.UFi2hRg5V4s|title=Akin's wife compares GOP moves to 'tyranny'|work=USAToday|author= Catalina Camia|date=September 18, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>
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==Political views==
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A [[veteran]], Congressman Akin has been a leader on military issues in the [[Republican Party]] in [[Congress]].
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Akin has taken a strong position on the role of [[faith]] in [[politics]]. In late July 2011 he said, "... at the heart of [[liberalism]] really is a hatred for [[God]] and a belief that [[big government|government]] should replace [[God]]." [https://www.theblaze.com/stories/rep-todd-akin-refuses-to-apologize-for-saying-at-the-heart-of-liberalism-is-a-hatred-for-god/] [http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/06/28/congressmans-claim-liberals-hate-god/]
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Akin supported [[Donald Trump]]'s 2016 campaign for president, commenting on him as a "populist Republican" and a "breath of fresh air".<ref>[https://morningconsult.com/2016/08/05/todd-akin-donald-trump/ Todd Akin Calls Trump a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’]</ref>
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==Personal life==
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Akin is a minister who has championed the greater use of [[prayer]] and [[charity]].  His family has [[homeschooled]] their children.
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==References==
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{{reflist|2}}
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akin, Todd}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akin, Todd}}
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[[category:politics]]
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[[Category:Republicans]]
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[[Category:Conservatives]]
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[[Category:Pro-Life]]
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[[Category:Missouri]]
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[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]

Revision as of 20:36, February 19, 2020

Todd Akin
Todd Akin, official 109th Congress photo.jpg
Former U.S. Representative from Missouri's 2nd Congressional District
From: January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013
Predecessor Jim Talent
Successor Ann Wagner
Missouri House of Representatives, 86th district
From: January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2001
Predecessor John Hancock
Successor Jane Cunningham
Missouri House of Representatives, 85th district
From: January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993
Predecessor Franc Flotron
Successor Chris Liese
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) Lulli Boe
Religion Christian

William Todd Akin (born July 5, 1947) is the former Republican Representative for Missouri's second congressional district. In 2012 he was the Republican nominee for one of the most-watched races for the U.S. Senate in 2012, which he lost against the incumbent Democratic senator Claire McCaskill in November 2012 when a libertarian candidate siphoned off support. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that he served 12 years in the Missouri General Assembly. He was replaced in the second district House seat by fellow Republican Ann L. Wagner, who won her race.

Todd Akin repeatedly won upset victories against more liberal opponents who have spent far more money than he has, and lost only after the liberal media made it a priority to defeat him and pro-aborts nationwide poured money into the campaign of his opponent.

Conservapedia was paying attention to Akin's Senate run and conservative status years before the liberal media and RINO Backers ganged up against him.[1] After Mitt Romney unnecessarily denounced Todd Akin, Romney himself lost credibility and pro-life support, and was then defeated by Barack Obama by a larger-than-expected margin in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.

Early life and career

Akin is the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Paul B. Akin. Both Akin's father and grandfather served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Laclede Steel Company. He graduated from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a B.S. degree in engineering in 1971.[2]

Following his college graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army with the Army Combat Engineers, then served in the Army Reserve until 1980.[2][3] After leaving active duty, Akin worked as a salesman for IBM marketing large computer systems, and later went to work in management in the family steel business.[2]

In 1984, Akin earned a divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, but entered politics rather than the ministry.[4] He was elected to the Missouri legislature in 1988.[4]

2012 Senate Campaign

Akin won the August 7, 2012 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in a three-way field.[5] Akin was endorsed by fellow Representatives Michele Bachmann and Steve King,[6] the Club for Growth and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed John Brunner in the primary, while Sarah Palin supported former state official Sarah Steelman.[7] In an April primary debate, Akin said that federally guaranteed student loans were a "Stage 3 cancer of socialism."[8]

Akin ran against the Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in the general election. Two weeks after his primary victory, Akin defended his principled pro-life position by indicating his opposition to abortion for pregnancy supposedly due to rape. A media firestorm ensued (see below), perhaps initiated by RINOs, but true conservatives defended Akin's principled remarks. For example, Connie Mackey of the Family Research Council called the discussion of Akin's remarks "another case of 'gotcha politics' against a conservative leader."[9] On August 22, Akin met with leaders of the Council for National Policy in Tampa, Florida, who indicated their unwavering support for his campaign.[10] On August 24, 2012, Akin held a press conference to announce, "We are going to be here through the November election and we are going to be here to win,” he said. Akin added, “there may be some negotiations but they don’t include me.”[11] At the Missouri delegation breakfast at the Republican National Convention, many delegates voiced support for Akin's candidacy.[12]

McCaskill, for a time, did not comment directly on Akin's abortion remarks in her campaign, but instead focused upon Akin's remarks comparing student loans to Stage 3 cancer.[8] RINO Backers demanded that Todd Akin remove his name from the ballot by September 25, 2012, while the principled Akin repeatedly made it clear that he was campaigning to win, and was projected to do better on Election Day than many of the RINOs would.[8]

By September 23, as the polls nationwide showed the Senate races tightening and Akin showed no sign of giving up the fight, Newt Gingrich urged the party to let him back into the fold and at least one campaign finance group started to reconsider the wisdom of leaving Akin to fight alone.[13] On Wednesday 26th, Rick Santorum and Jim DeMint publicly endorsed Akin for Senate, in a joint statement saying "we cannot afford six more years of Senator McCaskill." [14] On Friday 28 September, Akin confirmed that he had been arrested at an anti-abortion protest at a clinic some 25 years ago.[15] By then, former Missouri governor Kit Bond had endorsed Akin for Senate, and RNC chairman Reince Priebus had backed off on his earlier vows not to provide a penny to Akin.[16]

Even while ostracised by the party, Akin drew over $600,000 in small donations.[17]

The Republican Party was not united in this reconciliation, however. On September 30 Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey told ABC's This Week emphatically that he opposed the endorsement of Akin. A recent Rasmussen poll had shown Senator McCaskill leading Akin by 49 to 43 points among likely voters.[18] Closer to election day, McCaskill ran radio and television spots featuring clips from Rino Backers criticizing Akin.[19]

Federal Election Committee documents released after the election showed that the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) quietly attempted to salvage Akin's campaign as election day approached, making two donations totaling $760,000 to the Missouri Republicans at the beginning of November, 2012. The Missouri Party spent nearly that much money on large ad buys in the name of "W. Todd Akin" at the same time. Akin's adviser Rick Tyler has commented that by then the damage was done by NRSC's and Karl Rove's earlier actions. "They came in because they finally accepted what I had been saying publicly for weeks and that is that it was not possible to win a majority in the Senate without winning Missouri. But by the time they spent the money we were already going to lose Senate seats not gain them. It was too late." [20]

Ultimately, Todd Akin lost the election to Claire McCaskill 39.2% to 54.7%.[21]

Comments on rape and pregnancy

See also Media bullying. On August 19, 2012, in a local television interview with KTVI, Todd Akin rejected a suggestion that there should be a broad rape exception to limits on abortion. Akin distinguished between an actual rape and a false allegation of rape by referring to the former as a "legitimate rape," terminology that the liberal media then unfairly took out of context to engage in demagoguery against him.

Akin's statement from the interview was:[22]

“ First of all, from what I understand from doctors [pregnancy from rape] is really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn't work or something, I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child. ”

Akin restated the same fact that has been published in the medical literature, which is that the incidence of pregnancy due to rape is rare. For example, the 6th Edition (2012) of the classic textbook by Lentz confirms:[23]

“ In the experience of most sexual assault centers, the chance of pregnancy occurring is quite low. ”

An objective medical commentator, citing a published statistic that pregnancy from rape occurs only 1 in 50 times, observed that Akin was not wrong in his medical observation, and that false allegations of rape obviously do occur.[24]

Published peer-reviewed studies confirm that stress—which rape would induce—interferes with the establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy:[25]

“ stress-related biomarkers ... affect establishment of pregnancy. ”

"Hormones and other chemicals wreak havoc on the uterus" due to stress, as reported in 2003 in this peer-reviewed study:[26]

“ In what may prove to be a breakthrough finding, a team of scientists from Tufts University and Greece have identified a suspected chain reaction detailing exactly how stress hormones and other chemicals wreak havoc on the uterus and fetus. ”

The Romney-Ryan campaign, which had already caved in to liberals on abortion and other important social issues, then ran away from Todd Akin's principled stance in a manner that reflected poorly on Romney and Ryan.[27] RINOs tried to pressure Akin into withdrawing from the race for U.S. Senate, so that a more liberal, Establishment-supported candidate could be nominated. Akin stood up against the pressure and rejected the liberal demands.

Todd Akin has stood up against media bullying and namecalling by liberals such as Piers Morgan of CNN.[28]

Apology about the wording

In response to the demagoguery against him, Akin issued a general apology to anyone who misunderstood what he was saying.[29] "I made a mistake. What I said was ill-conceived and it was wrong and for that I apologize." [30]

President Obama tried unsuccessfully to exploit the issue for personal gain with an unusual statement to the press on August 21: "So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health-care decisions on behalf of women."[9] RINO Backers, including Senators Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Scott Brown and Ron Johnson, appeared to be acting on talking points provided to them as they rudely and unsuccessfully urged Akin to withdraw from the race.[9][31]

In September, Akin's wife, Lulli, brought more media attention to the "rape" comment by using a rape metaphor in an interview with the National Journal. She said, "Party bosses dictating who is allowed to advance through the party and make all of the decisions — it's just like 1776 in that way." She added that colonalists "rose up and said, 'Not in my home, you don't come and rape my daughters and my ... wife.' But that is where we are again."[32][33]

Political views

A veteran, Congressman Akin has been a leader on military issues in the Republican Party in Congress.

Akin has taken a strong position on the role of faith in politics. In late July 2011 he said, "... at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God." [3] [4]

Akin supported Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for president, commenting on him as a "populist Republican" and a "breath of fresh air".[34]

Personal life

Akin is a minister who has championed the greater use of prayer and charity. His family has homeschooled their children.

References

  1. ↑ http://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Nominations_2012&action=historysubmit&diff=1003072&oldid=1003071#Republican_Contenders_for_the_Nomination
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Official Manual of the State of Missouri, 1993-1994, p. 157
  3. ↑ Biography, Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri's 2nd District, retrieved August 23, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Stephanie McCrummen and David A Fahrenthold. "Small legacy, loyal allies", Washington Post, August 23, 2012, p. A1. 
  5. ↑ "Todd Akin's Sinking Ship", Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2012, p. A12. 
  6. ↑ https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/24282/akin_tea_party_endorsement_041212
  7. ↑ Paul Kane and Ed O'Keefe. "Akin case tests power of GOP's heirarchy", Washington Post, August 22, 2012, p. A4. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Rosalind S. Helderman and Jason Horowitz. "With Senate at stake, GOP awaits Akin's next move", Washington Post, September 10, 2012, p. A1. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Naftali Bendavid and Louise Radnofsky. "Crucial Senate Race in Uproar", Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2012, p. A1. 
  10. ↑ Nocera, Kate. "Todd Akin in Tampa with top social conservatives", Politico, August 22, 2012. Retrieved on August 23, 2012. 
  11. ↑ Sullivan, Sean. "Todd Akin: ‘We are going to be here through the November election’", Washington Post, August 24, 2012. Retrieved on August 25, 2012. 
  12. ↑ Raju, Manu. "Missouri delegates angry at Mitt Romney over Todd Akin", Politico, August 27, 2012. Retrieved on September 2, 2012. 
  13. ↑ http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/09/24/2703769/conservative-fund-considers-backing.html
  14. ↑ https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/09/santorum-demint-back-akin-136707.html
  15. ↑ https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/09/akin-speaks-about-old-arrest-at-abortion-clinic-136954.html
  16. ↑ https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57522102/kit-bond-to-endorse-akin-priebus-hints-at-rnc-support/
  17. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/us/politics/todd-akin-counts-on-support-of-home-schoolers.html?ref=politics
  18. ↑ http://www.humanevents.com/2012/10/01/christie-says-gop-should-not-support-missouris-akin/
  19. ↑ http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/nick-pistor/claire-mccaskill-features-mitt-romney-in-new-ad/article_5c4a5e19-82b8-5d3d-b9b3-6d740bcc3e57.html
  20. ↑ Alexandra Jaffe, _The Hill_, December 7, 2012, NRSC funneled $760K to Missouri GOP in final days of election
  21. ↑ https://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Senate/2012/
  22. ↑ McMorris-Santoro, Evan. "Republican Senate Nominee: Victims Of ‘Legitimate Rape’ Don’t Get Pregnant." August 19, 2012. Talking Points Memo. http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/todd-akin-legitimate-rape.php
  23. ↑ Lentz: Comprehensive Gynecology, 6th ed. (2012)
  24. ↑ https://www.wnd.com/2012/08/akin-not-far-off-base-in-rape-comment/
  25. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22687324
  26. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20030605/how-stress-causes-miscarriage
  27. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/mitt-romney-slams-lawmaker-todd-akins-rape-comments/story-fnd134gw-1226454546819
  28. ↑ https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/08/piers-morgan-calls-todd-akin-gutless-little-twerp-132635.html
  29. ↑ "Akin says he misspoke when making a comment about rape and abortion during the taping of The Jaco Report on FOX 2." [1]
  30. ↑ [2]
  31. ↑ Paul Kane and Nia-Malika Henderson. "Republicans look to force Akin out of Senate race", Washington Post, August 21, 2012, p. A1. 
  32. ↑ Diana Reese. "In Mo. race, that word again", Washington Post, September 18, 2012, p. A4. 
  33. ↑ Catalina Camia. "Akin's wife compares GOP moves to 'tyranny'", USAToday, September 18, 2012. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. 
  34. ↑ Todd Akin Calls Trump a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’
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