The Other McCain

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Rove: Akin ‘Irreparably Damaged’; UPDATE: NRSC Turns Against Akin

Posted on | August 21, 2012 | 16 Comments

Karl Rove just appeared on Fox News and pronounced Todd Akin’s campaign doomed beyond hope of redemption, saying that his Crossroads GPS super-PAC would not “throw good money after bad” for the “irreparably damaged” Republican Senate candidate.

Rove pointed out that calls for Akin to step aside have been nearly universal, from the party leadership to the conservative grassroots. Ann Coulter wrote a special column at Human Events saying that Akin must quit “if he loves his country.” The Associated Press reported there are “ominous signs” for Akin, and mentioned the candidate’s attempts to apologize:

In a radio interview with former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Akin repeatedly apologized for the remarks but also vowed to stay in the race.
“The good people of Missouri nominated me, and I’m not a quitter,” Akin said.
The uproar began Sunday, when St. Louis television station KTVI aired an interview in which Akin was asked if he would support abortions for women who have been raped.
“It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” Akin said.

The nomination that Akin attributes to “the good people of Missouri” was in fact a 36-percent plurality in the Aug. 7 GOP primary. There are reports — as yet unconfirmed — that leading Missouri Republicans, including John Ashcroft, will hold a press conference and call on Akin to step down.

UPDATE: CAC at Ace of Spades HQ dismantles a poll that appeared to show that Akin was still competitive. Akin has issued an “apology” ad but Ed Morrissey comments:

While this ad strongly suggests that Akin doesn’t have an exit strategy in mind, the day is still long. I would be slightly surprised if Akin remained in the race by 5 pm CT today.

Akin’s belief that he can stay on the Republican ticket is contradicted by this headline:

NRSC sends out list of conservative
pundits calling for Akin to step down

Kind of a big hint there.

Category: Missouri, Senate

Comments

16 Responses to “Rove: Akin ‘Irreparably Damaged’; UPDATE: NRSC Turns Against Akin”

  1. OldNuc
    August 21st, 2012 @ 11:43 am

    looks like Karl Rove is also once again irreparably damaging the Republican party.

  2. Rove: Akin ‘Irreparably Damaged’ « Jackie Wellfonder – Raging Against the Rhetoric
    August 21st, 2012 @ 11:55 am

    […] at The Other McCain… Share this:EmailTwitterFacebookPrintTumblrMoreRedditLinkedInStumbleUponDiggPinterestLike […]

  3. smitty
    August 21st, 2012 @ 11:57 am

    The whole mess smells a trifle whiffy. Of course, I’m in a state (VA) where ballot applications literally go to the dogs.

  4. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    August 21st, 2012 @ 12:14 pm

    It is this sort of thing we do not need. We just need Akin to go away. This is what Jeff Goldstein was criticizing and he is right to do so.
    http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=42924

  5. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    August 21st, 2012 @ 12:19 pm

    Can we go back to talking about Code Pink vagina costume parades at the capital and Democrats blowing boys in the bushes?

  6. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    August 21st, 2012 @ 12:44 pm

    http://evilbloggerlady.blogspot.com/2012/08/karl-rove-is-making-things-worse-we-do.html Akin is going on Dana Loesch’s show shortly.

  7. donsurber
    August 21st, 2012 @ 1:34 pm

    So what happens when Akin wins in November?

  8. Senator Blutarsky
    August 21st, 2012 @ 2:00 pm

    I agree with Jeff @ Protein Wisdom and Evi. L below that we should generally avoid circular firing squads, and while Akin’s chances of victory are now reduced they surely remain well above zero.

    That said, I think the conservative cause is badly served both in the McCaskill race and in general by candidates that sound like medieval barbers when discussing biology.

    For the good of the party, the cause and the nation, Akin should step down. But he surely knows he won’t get another chance at statewide office after this, and that even discounting the bogus PPP poll the race likely remains close enough that threats to pull money and support are a bluff.

    Which is why I think he will not step down. He will tie himself to the mast, and GOP control of the Senate will succeed or go down with him. Ugh.

  9. Bob Belvedere
    August 21st, 2012 @ 2:47 pm

    Jeff is arguing [and I agree with him] that the behavior of those in the GOP and conservatives who have called for Mr. Akin’s to drop-out is reprehensible, and another example of the Right giving into the Left out of Fear.

  10. Adjoran
    August 21st, 2012 @ 3:04 pm

    The reason for all the intensity is the time frame. Akin managed to shoot his foot and then insert it into his mouth just a couple days before the deadline to certify the ballot. If he’d done this two weeks ago, there would have been plenty of time for quiet pressure behind the scenes. There isn’t.

    This is not a case of the circular firing squad. Akin is an idiot who sabotaged not only his own campaign but also our national chances with a 100% unforced error. This is the big leagues, you don’t get do-overs.

    The question is NOT “Could he still win?” It is “How much will this allow the national conversation to be diverted?” Hey, remember way back FOUR DAYS AGO when Romney and Ryan were kicking Obama’s butt on Medicare? Heard any more about that? Gee, why not?

  11. Adjoran
    August 21st, 2012 @ 3:05 pm

    HUH???

  12. Adjoran
    August 21st, 2012 @ 3:06 pm

    “Whiffy?” WTF are you talking about? Did Rove send Akin “relaxation tapes” with subliminal suggestions?

  13. Top Missouri Republicans Call for Akin to Quit Senate Race; He Says He’s Staying In : The Other McCain
    August 21st, 2012 @ 3:07 pm

    […] has gotten hold of Akin’s mind?Quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat.PREVIOUSLY:Aug. 21: Rove: Akin ‘Irreparably Damaged’; UPDATE: NRSC Turns Against AkinAug. 20: Objectively, Todd Akin Is DoomedAug. 20: Report: Republican Todd Akin Will Withdraw From […]

  14. Last Hope: Ann Wagner and Todd Akin Urged to Trade Places « Nice Deb
    August 21st, 2012 @ 4:00 pm

    […] Rove: Akin ‘Irreparably Damaged’; UPDATE: NRSC Turns Against Akin. […]

  15. sheryl
    August 21st, 2012 @ 6:28 pm

    Fine then, let him stay. Forget him and hopefully he will not damage the rest of the candidates. Let Clare have it, move along, and the NRSC should be here concentrating on getting Debbie Stabenow out of office here in MI>

  16. Challeron
    August 22nd, 2012 @ 12:07 am

    Yeah, I’d support Akin now just because “the Architect” would rather see a Democrat win the seat than risk alienating his own cash cows.

    What ever happened to the notion that people should be able to vote for the pols that THEY WANT TO, and not be forced to vote for the “party-approved” candidate? Isn’t that how we ended up with McCain four years ago?