Todd Akin
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." [1] [2]
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.
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.
Media bullying of Akin
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:
| “ | "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 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 lead to calls by nearly all public officials for him to step down. Refusing, Akin has claimed he misspoke.
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.[1] RINOs 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. Akin stood up against the pressure and rejected the demands.
Todd Akin has stood up against media bullying and name-calling by liberals such as Piers Morgan of CNN.[2]