POSSIBLE UPDATE?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/republican-source-akin-moving-to-withdraw
Republican Source: Akin Moving To Withdraw
The controversial candidate is “taking concrete steps.” UPDATE: Another Republican close to Akin says he’s “in the campaign.”
Missouri Republican Todd Akin has begun moving toward ending his candidacy after his remarks on rape and abortion provoked a firestorm, a top Republican said.
“Akin is taking concrete steps to withdraw by tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.,” a senior Republican told BuzzFeed, adding that Akin could still change his mind.
But a Republican close to Akin said his position hasn’t changed: He’s still in the race.
Tomorrow afternoon is an important deadline: If he files papers to end his candidacy in Jefferson City tomorrow he can end his candidacy unilaterally; after that, he would have to file an application in court.
Possible Republican replacements, the Republican source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.
“Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat; “
There’s your possible deal making solution. Have Wagner and Akin switch positions with very conservative pro life Wagner, a woman who would be bullet proof from McCaskill war on women attacks running for the Senate and Akin running for his current seat in the House. Akin might even have a marginal chance of being reelected to his current seat assuming no women live in his district.
Ashcroft, Talent, Bond, Wagner, Schweich--those names have all come to my mind. (I think Ashcroft would be the least likely of that bunch.) It's not a given that it would be one of the two that lost to Akin in the primary, runner-up John Brunner or third-place finisher Sarah Steelman.
What the heck?
“Possible Republican replacements, the Republican source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat;”
ASHCROFT? KIT BOND? Seriously? Why not Brunner or Steelman. Wagner would be a good pick, although I worry that might lead to Akin trying to take back his old Congressional seat.