Mo. Delegates Push Back at GOP on Akin

Missouri’s Republican delegates are resisting calls from the top of the ticket on down to knock Todd Akin out of the Senate race because of his comments on rape, Politico reported.

The Akin back and forth is causing a rift among Republicans, with delegates saying Akin could still possibly win his race against Sen. Claire McCaskill in November.
One delegate, John Putnam of Carthage, Mo., when asked if he was disappointed at Romney demanding that Akin exit the race, told Politico, "Absolutely. I think he needs to rescind that, retract that. I think (Republican National Committee Chairman) Reince Priebus and (Sen.) Roy Blunt and all the people need to support the candidate that the folks from Missouri nominated and picked in the primary."

Putnam added, "I think the GOP party bosses that are trying to drum him out are creating a bigger split in the party than Todd Akin is.”

Akin apologized in the wake of his comments. He ignited the firestorm when he said in an interview that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in a "legitimate rape." He added that pregnancies in legitimate rape cases are rare.

Another Missouri delegate, Mitch Hubbard, told Politico, "I think, honestly, that's shameful. The party should not throw him under the bus simply because he made a misstatement.”

Polls show Akin trailing McCaskill by nine points. GOP leaders are concerned Akin's continued candidacy will cost Republicans a seat and a chance at a Republican majority in the Senate, Politico reported.

"Unfortunately, with him on the ticket, not only is the Senate race lost, but I think the state ticket is in danger," former Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri told Politico. "I'm hearing that Todd is going to be featured in the Democratic convention. That's a reason nationally to vote Democratic."