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'''William Todd Akin''' (July 5, 1947 – October 3, 2021) was a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] for [[Missouri]]'s second congressional district. He was born in [[New York City]]. 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 Party|Democrat]] [[senator]] [[Claire McCaskill]] when a [[Libertarian Party]] candidate siphoned off support. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that he served twelve years in two different districts in the Missouri General Assembly. He was replaced in the second district House seat by fellow Republican Ann L. Wagner.

'''William Todd Akin''' (July 5, 1947 – October 3, 2021) was a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] for [[Missouri]]'s second congressional district. He was born in [[New York City]]. In 2012, he was the Republican nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]], which he lost against the incumbent [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[senator]] [[Claire McCaskill]] when a [[Libertarian Party]] candidate siphoned off support. Akin was first elected to Congress in 2000. Prior to that, he served twelve years in two different districts in the Missouri General Assembly. He was replaced in the second district House seat by fellow Republican Ann L. Wagner.

Todd Akin repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who outspent him 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.

Todd Akin repeatedly won upset victories against more [[liberal]] opponents who outspent him, 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 before the [[liberal media]] and [[RINO Backers]] ganged up against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Nominations_2012&action=historysubmit&diff=1003072&oldid=1003071#Republican_Contenders_for_the_Nomination<|title=Republican Contenders for the Nomination|publisher=[[Conservapedia]]|accessdate=October 6, 2021}}</ref> After [[Mitt Romney]] unnecessarily denounced Todd Akin, Romney himself lost credibility and [[pro-life]] support, and was then defeated by [[Barack Hussein Obama]] by a larger-than-expected margin in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. The hatchet job against Akin may have been done by political consultants who later became [[Opposition to Donald Trump|Never-Trumpers]], and were themselves discredited.

[[Conservapedia]] was paying attention to Akin's Senate run before the [[liberal media]] and [[RINO Backers]] ganged up against him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Presidential_Nominations_2012&action=historysubmit&diff=1003072&oldid=1003071#Republican_Contenders_for_the_Nomination<|title=Republican Contenders for the Nomination|publisher=[[Conservapedia]]|accessdate=October 6, 2021}}</ref> After [[Mitt Romney]] unnecessarily denounced Todd Akin, Romney himself lost credibility and [[pro-life]] support, and was then defeated by [[Barack Hussein Obama]] by a larger-than-expected margin in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. The hatchet job against Akin may have been done by political consultants who later became [[Opposition to Donald Trump|Never-Trumpers]], and were themselves discredited.

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." 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 web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80027.html|title=Todd Akin in Tampa with top social conservatives|date=August 22, 2012|publisher=Politico|author=Kate Nocera|accessdate=August 23, 2012}}</ref>  

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." 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 web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80027.html|title=Todd Akin in Tampa with top social conservatives|date=August 22, 2012|publisher=Politico|author=Kate 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 web|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'|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''|date=August 24, 2012|author=Sean 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 web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80203.html?hp=t3_3|title=Missouri delegates angry at Mitt Romney over Todd Akin|author=Manu Raju|date=August 27, 2012|accessdate=September 2, 2012|publisher=''[[Politico]]''}}</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 web|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'|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''|date=August 24, 2012|author=Sean 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 web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80203.html?hp=t3_3|title=Missouri delegates angry at Mitt Romney over Todd Akin|author=Manu Raju|date=August 27, 2012|accessdate=September 2, 2012|publisher=''[[Politico]]''}}</ref>

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/>

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/>

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]] of [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Jim DeMint]] of [[South Carolina]] endorsed Akin for Senate in a joint statement: "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 twenty-five 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>

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]] of [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Jim DeMint]] of [[South Carolina]] endorsed Akin for Senate in a joint statement: "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 twenty-five 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>

Even while ostracized by the party leadership, 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>

Even while ostracized by the party leadership, 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>

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 Rasmussen poll showed 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>

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 Rasmussen poll showed 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>

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>

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>

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>

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>

The [[Mitt Romney|Romney]]-[[Paul Ryan|Ryan]] campaign, which had already caved 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.

The [[Mitt Romney|Romney]]-[[Paul Ryan|Ryan]] campaign, which had already caved 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.

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>

Todd Akin has stood up against [[media bullying]] and name-calling 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>

===Apology about the wording===

===Apology about the wording===

President [[Barack Hussein 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/> Such consistent RINOs as Senators [[Mitch McConnell]] of [[Kentucky]] and [[John Cornyn]] of [[Texas]], [[Scott Brown]], former senator from Massachusetts, and the normally conservative [[Ron Johnson]] of [[Wisconsin]], 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>Naftali Bendavid and Louise Radnofsky, "Crucial Senate Race in Uproar," ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''|date=August 21, 2012|page=A1}}</ref><ref name=wp>Paul Kane and Nia-Malika, "Republicans look to force Akin out of Senate race," ''[[The Washington Post]],''August 21, 2012 p. A1.</ref>

President [[Barack Hussein 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/> Such consistent RINOs as Senators [[Mitch McConnell]] of [[Kentucky]] and [[John Cornyn]] of [[Texas]], [[Scott Brown]], former senator from Massachusetts, and the normally conservative [[Ron Johnson]] of [[Wisconsin]], 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>Naftali Bendavid and Louise Radnofsky, "Crucial Senate Race in Uproar," ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''|date=August 21, 2012|page=A1}}</ref><ref name=wp>Paul Kane and Nia-Malika, "Republicans look to force Akin out of Senate race," ''[[The Washington Post]],''August 21, 2012 p. A1.</ref>

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 web|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'|publisher=''[[USAToday]]''|author= Catalina Camia|date=September 18, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>

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 colonialists "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 web|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'|publisher=''[[USAToday]]''|author= Catalina Camia|date=September 18, 2012|accessdate=September 18, 2012}}</ref>

==Political views==

==Political views==