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| Todd Akin set for GOP cash boost in Missouri after exit deadline passes | Todd Akin set for GOP cash boost in Missouri after exit deadline passes |
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| The national Republican party appears to be thawing its attitude towards controversial Senate candidate Todd Akin and preparing to raise money for his campaign after a deadline for him to drop out of his race in Missouri passed. | The national Republican party appears to be thawing its attitude towards controversial Senate candidate Todd Akin and preparing to raise money for his campaign after a deadline for him to drop out of his race in Missouri passed. |
| Akin was cut off by the party leadership – including presidential candidate Mitt Romney – in August after saying in an interview that women could not become pregnant in cases of "legitimate rape". The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which raises cash for candidates, withdrew $5m worth of advertising support for the Missouri campaign and Romney led calls for Akin to step down. Akin, however, refused to quit. | Akin was cut off by the party leadership – including presidential candidate Mitt Romney – in August after saying in an interview that women could not become pregnant in cases of "legitimate rape". The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which raises cash for candidates, withdrew $5m worth of advertising support for the Missouri campaign and Romney led calls for Akin to step down. Akin, however, refused to quit. |
| But now the NRSC has indicated that its principled stand may have been overtaken by realpolitik, saying it will "monitor" Akin's fight against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill. | But now the NRSC has indicated that its principled stand may have been overtaken by realpolitik, saying it will "monitor" Akin's fight against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill. |
| "Todd Akin is a far more preferable candidate than liberal senator 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," NRSC executive director Rob Jesmer said in a statement first reported by Talking Points Memo. | "Todd Akin is a far more preferable candidate than liberal senator 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," NRSC executive director Rob Jesmer said in a statement first reported by Talking Points Memo. |
| A week ago, NRSC chairman John Cornyn was asked by The Hill if the group would back Akin and he replied: "We're done." | A week ago, NRSC chairman John Cornyn was asked by The Hill if the group would back Akin and he replied: "We're done." |
| The distinct change in tone almost certainly reflects the fact that Akin is now certain to be the Republican candidate in a race that is vital for eventual control of the entire Senate – a prize even more important to the Republicans with Romney falling behind in the White House election. | The distinct change in tone almost certainly reflects the fact that Akin is now certain to be the Republican candidate in a race that is vital for eventual control of the entire Senate – a prize even more important to the Republicans with Romney falling behind in the White House election. |
| The shift of the party also likely reflects Akin's relatively healthy position in the opinion polls. Though Akin's comments over rape outraged women's groups and made headline news across the country, he has remained competitive with McCaskill. | The shift of the party also likely reflects Akin's relatively healthy position in the opinion polls. Though Akin's comments over rape outraged women's groups and made headline news across the country, he has remained competitive with McCaskill. |
| Patty Murray, a Washington senator and chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, denouned the NRSC's reversal as "absolutely shameful". She said: "I expected more, but sadly, Todd Akin represents the official position of the Republican Party." | Patty Murray, a Washington senator and chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, denouned the NRSC's reversal as "absolutely shameful". She said: "I expected more, but sadly, Todd Akin represents the official position of the Republican Party." |
| Missouri Democrats said they were unsurprised by the shift. Jim Sanders, the state party chair, told Talking Points Memo: "We've always expected these dollars to flow in. So when you heard from the Republican side the outcry that 'we're going to pull away from Todd Akin' we never thought that would be the case." | Missouri Democrats said they were unsurprised by the shift. Jim Sanders, the state party chair, told Talking Points Memo: "We've always expected these dollars to flow in. So when you heard from the Republican side the outcry that 'we're going to pull away from Todd Akin' we never thought that would be the case." |
| Akin has become a rallying point for several high-profile conservatives within the national party who laud his social conservative stances on issues like abortion. | Akin has become a rallying point for several high-profile conservatives within the national party who laud his social conservative stances on issues like abortion. |
| Earlier on Wednesday former presidential contender Rick Santorum and Tea Party favourite South Carolina senator Jim DeMint issued a joint statement in support of Akin. "Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the US Senate," the politicians said, praising Akin for his principles on debt reduction and being against Barack Obama's healthcare reforms. | Earlier on Wednesday former presidential contender Rick Santorum and Tea Party favourite South Carolina senator Jim DeMint issued a joint statement in support of Akin. "Todd Akin is a principled conservative who is committed to winning and fighting for freedom in the US Senate," the politicians said, praising Akin for his principles on debt reduction and being against Barack Obama's healthcare reforms. |
| Akin is now likely to receive cash help for his campaign from Super Pacs that support Santorum and DeMint. In a brief statement he thanked the two for supporting him. "I am proud to have two of our country's leading conservatives endorse me today … our country can't afford another six years of the liberal agenda of Claire McCaskill," Akin said. | Akin is now likely to receive cash help for his campaign from Super Pacs that support Santorum and DeMint. In a brief statement he thanked the two for supporting him. "I am proud to have two of our country's leading conservatives endorse me today … our country can't afford another six years of the liberal agenda of Claire McCaskill," Akin said. |
| Another former presidential hopeful, ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has also taken a firm line in defending Akin and helping to pour money into his campaign coffers. On Monday, Gingrich hosted a fundraising lunch for Akin which saw donors coughing up $500 each to attend. | Another former presidential hopeful, ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has also taken a firm line in defending Akin and helping to pour money into his campaign coffers. On Monday, Gingrich hosted a fundraising lunch for Akin which saw donors coughing up $500 each to attend. |
| In another sign that the Republican party as a whole is now rallying behind Akin, the state party in Missouri has also now firmly backed him. "We are confident that Todd will defeat McCaskill in November, and the Missouri Republican party will do everything we can to assist in his efforts," the party said in a statement. | In another sign that the Republican party as a whole is now rallying behind Akin, the state party in Missouri has also now firmly backed him. "We are confident that Todd will defeat McCaskill in November, and the Missouri Republican party will do everything we can to assist in his efforts," the party said in a statement. |
| However, even if money does once again start to pour into Akin's campaign, he still faces an uphill battle in the cash stakes. According to the Center for Responsive Politics McCaskill had raised $10m more than Akin through the first half of 2012. | However, even if money does once again start to pour into Akin's campaign, he still faces an uphill battle in the cash stakes. According to the Center for Responsive Politics McCaskill had raised $10m more than Akin through the first half of 2012. |
| But the change in opinion by outside figures does represent a remarkable turnaround for Akin. In the wake of his rape comments, which were made in the context of defending a 'no-exceptions' belief when it came to abortion, his political career was virtually written off. Democrats and Republicans alike queued up to condemn him and ask him to step aside for a new candidate, and he became the punchline to the jokes of late-night comedians. | But the change in opinion by outside figures does represent a remarkable turnaround for Akin. In the wake of his rape comments, which were made in the context of defending a 'no-exceptions' belief when it came to abortion, his political career was virtually written off. Democrats and Republicans alike queued up to condemn him and ask him to step aside for a new candidate, and he became the punchline to the jokes of late-night comedians. |
| His determination to stay in the race has now firmly paid off. Missouri's other Senator, Republican Roy Blunt, had once called for Akin to quit but has now promised support. "I'll be working for the Republican ticket in Missouri, and that includes Todd Akin," he said last week. | His determination to stay in the race has now firmly paid off. Missouri's other Senator, Republican Roy Blunt, had once called for Akin to quit but has now promised support. "I'll be working for the Republican ticket in Missouri, and that includes Todd Akin," he said last week. |
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