GOP campaign arm bails on Akin's Senate bid, source says
(CNN) - The National Republican Senatorial Committee will no longer support Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri in his U.S. Senate bid, a source from the group told CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash on Monday.
It was communicated to the congressman that the NRSC will be pulling out if he decides to stay in the race, the source said one day after the Senate candidate sparked a firestorm by claiming that "legitimate rape" rarely resulted in pregnancy.
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Multiple Republicans have distanced themselves from Akin since he originally made the comment, and Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts called on him to step down from his position as GOP nominee.
Akin apologized for the comment Monday, saying he misspoke.
"I made that statement in error. Let me be clear. Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act, and it's committed by violent predators," Akin said on Mike Huckabee's radio show. "I used the wrong words in the wrong way. What I said was ill conceived and it was wrong."
The NRSC said it currently has $5 million reserved to back the Republican candidate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Republicans have pointed to the seat this year as a possible pick-up for the GOP as the party tries to retake the Senate majority.
Following Akin's comments, however, a source from the NRSC said that if Akin remained in the race, it "could put the majority at risk."
In a statement earlier Monday, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas–who also chairs the NRSC–suggested the congressman "carefully consider" his next step.
"Congressman Akin's statements were wrong, offensive, and indefensible," Cornyn said in a statement. "I recognize that this is a difficult time for him, but over the next twenty-four hours, Congressman Akin should carefully consider what is best for him, his family, the Republican Party, and the values that he cares about and has fought for throughout his career in public service."
In an interview with WMUR Monday, Mitt Romney echoed Cornyn's sentiments, according to a tweet from the station's political director, Josh McElveen:
"@MittRomney on if Akin should end senate bid- 'he should spend 24 hours considering what will best help the country at this critical time.'"
Akin has long been known for his social conservative values. The congressman captured a win in Missouri's three-way Senate primary earlier this month, beating out businessman John Brunner and former state treasurer Sarah Steelman despite falling behind in the polls just days before the contest.
On Huckabee's radio show Monday, Akin said he had not been specifically told to exit the race.
"No one has called me and said, 'I think you should drop out.' No one has said that. I gather people are saying that in the media, but they didn't specifically call me and tell me that," Akin said.
- CNN's Dana Bash, Ashley Killough and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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One Potato, two potato, three potato, four. Throw this political hot potato directly out the door. and Good Riddance.
What a worthless human being!
Hey, Romney, still waiting on your taxes!
CNN, your policy of censorship in this 'Ticker' is beyond unprofessional. The least you should strive for, if you must censor political comment, is consistency
Another reason I'll Never Vote Republican Again!
Sadly, the actions of the NRSC are more about Akin's chances of defeating Sen. McCaskill than about the horrendous, idiotic statement he made. That's all they (GOP) really care about. LMAO!
Newsweek magazine is targeting its latest controversial cover at the Obama administration. It’s part of a devastating story written by esteemed British historian Niall Ferguson telling President Obama that it’s time to go and that the only team that can possibly turn the country around is the Romney-Ryan ticket.
“In his inaugural address, Obama promised ‘not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.’” Ferguson writes in the cover story, “Hit the Road, Barack: Why We Need a New President.”
“He promised to ‘build the roads and bridges, the electric grids, and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.’ He promised to ‘restore science to its rightful place and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.’” wrote Ferguson, who made some of the same arguments in a March 2012 Newsmax cover story, "Decision Time." “And he promised to ‘transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.’ Unfortunately the president’s scorecard on every single one of those bold pledges is pitiful.”
“Welcome to Obama’s America: nearly half the population is not represented on a taxable return—almost exactly the same proportion that lives in a household where at least one member receives some type of government benefit,” Ferguson writes. “We are becoming the 50–50 nation—half of us paying the taxes, the other half receiving the benefits.”
Akin is bacon romney and ryan is shaken now they shall fall like autumn leaves
He is of course a friend and soulmate of Paul Ryan!! Two very sick psychos. Even Romney seems to be offended.
Not that that means anything. He will change his mind to-morrow. Wonder what Prairiebus thinks?
this is the repo thinking .here. This guy is on some science committe. Great no wonder the repos think the world is flat and women can secrete something to stop a pregnancy. what a bunch of clowns. Theme song for repo convention Send in the Clowns. And where are mittens and paulie? running for the hills with some mealy mouth comment(oh we don't agree with him) Our president has the balls to say that rape is rape and these men should stay out of womans health issues. Forward.
The Country need more woman to run for higher offices. Ms. American please run for office, you will get my vote!!!
Is that fear from the GOP. Republicans are retreating after taking a beating (rightly so) because of their War On Women a war they have waged from Arizona to Wisconsin and Virginia.
He only said what the GOP thinks.......be careful voter if you are voting REP.......
There is still a lot of support for Rep Atkin from science challenged Tea Party evangelical supporters in Missouri.
Howard
Newsweek magazine is targeting its latest controversial cover at the Obama administration. It’s part of a devastating story written by esteemed British historian Niall Ferguson telling President Obama that it’s time to go and that the only team that can possibly turn the country around is the Romney-Ryan ticket.
Really, some one in England really. You better do your home work, because the President has done alot rather you want to admit it or not. I thought the President was a "S". More will be reveal
Paul Ryan has the same beliefs as this guy on abortion. Now Romney campaign thinks that can magically disappear too. NOT!
Stay in, Todd. The democrats would like the win. They'll probably win anyway, but you staying in ensures it.
-Howard
Newsweek magazine is targeting its latest controversial cover at the Obama administration. It’s part of a devastating story written by esteemed British historian Niall Ferguson telling President Obama that it’s time to go and that the only team that can possibly turn the country around is the Romney-Ryan ticket.
“In his inaugural address, Obama promised ‘not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.’” Ferguson writes in the cover story, “Hit the Road, Barack: Why We Need a New President.”
“He promised to ‘build the roads and bridges, the electric grids, and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.’ He promised to ‘restore science to its rightful place and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.’” wrote Ferguson, who made some of the same arguments in a March 2012 Newsmax cover story, "Decision Time." “And he promised to ‘transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.’ Unfortunately the president’s scorecard on every single one of those bold pledges is pitiful.”
“Welcome to Obama’s America: nearly half the population is not represented on a taxable return—almost exactly the same proportion that lives in a household where at least one member receives some type of government benefit,” Ferguson writes. “We are becoming the 50–50 nation—half of us paying the taxes, the other half receiving the benefits.”
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Niall Ferguson is someone who has spent his career trying to explain why the British Empire was a wonderful thing, and how inexpensive it was to maintain. In "Empire' he uses a wierd combination of Monty Python and Pat Bucahanon to lay out his case: interesting, but ultimately incorrect. He neglected to point out in the Newsweek piece that the GOP has systematically blocked his proposals on everything from infrastructure to education, so his analysis gives further proof as to why historians shold be very careful when conducting an economic analysis. In other words, he does not have a clue as to what he is talking about. He does nothing to explain the reason as to WHY a significant portion of the country is not taxed: that is because a conservative GOP president realised that taxing the poor on benefits they are receiving would deprive the economy of money to stimulate economic growth( Ronald Reagan). Interesting he ommited that, but, hardly surprising. Ferguson is a shill for the Right, a token intelectual in a sea of ignorance and one-liners. He has interesting and stimulating ideas, but its unfortunate he can't function when he's writing an attack piece. I guess his editor was out that day.
In the article, various people keep using the phrase "next 24 hours" or something similar. Why? Tomorrow is the deadline to get on the ballot.
Frankie wrote:
Paul Ryan has the same beliefs as this guy on abortion. Now Romney campaign thinks that can magically disappear too. NOT!
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I cannot speak for beliefs, but they have the same hard right ideology when it comes to abortion. They have co-sponsored the same pieces of extreme legislation.
Repugnants, see what can happen if you say what you really think? People find out that you are a Neanderthal, and even the other Neanderthals won't support you. Slink back into your cave, Akin.