Tea Party Express calls on Akin to step down

WMTW ^ | 8/20/2012 | CNN NewSource via WMTW

[Qbert]

The nation's largest tea party political action committee, the Tea Party Express, is calling on Rep. Todd Akin to step down as Missouri's Republican nominee for a Senate seat on Monday following controversial comments the congressman made about rape.

Answering a question about whether he thought abortion should be legal in cases of rape, Akin said in an interview Sunday that in instances of "legitimate rape" the female body has ways of stopping a potential pregnancy. Video of the interview was posted online by the liberal super PAC American Bridge.

Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer said in a statement released Monday that Akin's remarks were "unfortunate and inappropriate."

"It is critical that we defeat Senator Claire McCaskill in November, but it will be too difficult to achieve with Todd Akin as the conservative alternative," said Kremer. "He should step down and give conservatives a chance at taking back the Senate in November."

"One of the lessons we learned in 2010 is that we need candidates who are not only conservative, but are capable of putting together a strong campaign against liberal opponents," said Kremer, calling Akin's comment a 'Bidenism' in an apparent reference to Vice President Joe Biden's recent 'chains' gaffe at a campaign stop in Virginia.

In a radio interview Monday, Akin apologized for the comments.

"I made that statement in error. Let me be clear. Rape is never legitimate. It's an evil act, and it's committed by violent predators," the Republican congressman said on Mike Huckabee's radio show.

The Tea Party Express endorsed Akin's rival, former state treasurer Sarah Steelman, in Missouri's GOP primary. Steelman, who was defeated by Akin in the August 7 contest, also grabbed the coveted conservative endorsement of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

[matthew fuller]

"Akin said in an interview Sunday that in instances of "legitimate rape" the female body has ways of stopping a potential pregnancy. "

"Why is this so hard for people to figure out? "

It's not hard to figure out at all. Akin's presence on the ballot will guarantee a dimmacrat win.

[philman_36]

The Tea Party Express endorsed Akin's rival, former state treasurer Sarah Steelman, in Missouri's GOP primary.

Translation - Our girl didn't win so we're going to take Akin down after the fact in any way we can, no matter what, just to show him he's not going to win anything since she wasn't nominated!

Oh, yeah, this whole brouhaha is all compleeeeeeetely on the up and up.

[philman_36]

Furthermore it is a documented fact that EMOTIONAL STRESS DOES PLAY A SIGNIFICANT part in ones health INCLUDING weather one gets pregnant or not.
Just, like, shut up already. You're, like, totally ruining the tar and feathering. /liberal impression /sarcasm

[Wayne07]

He was just saying that IF a woman is raped and a pregnancy does occur, DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON THE UNBORN DEFENSELESS BABY!

He said that as well, but that is not what everyone is quoting, and upset about. What he said was, "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Which makes it him sound ignorant, and worse, now many people believe most pro-lifers are idiots and base their beliefs on bad information like that. His moronic statement hurts the whole pro-life movement.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Akin is stupid. He severely wounded his campaign and hurt the republicans chances of getting the Senate. He needs to step down, and lets get another to take his place in the race.

[Biggirl]

If the tea party says that it is time for Akin to go, then it looks like it is over for Akin.

[miss marmelstein]

Because it turns out that a lot of freepers, tea partiers and GOP-types are politically-correct after all.

[jersey117]

Unlike the Democrats, we don’t give out free passes.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Unfortunately, our political climate now is such that this is not a question of whether he "inartfully phrased" something or made a verbal gaffe. The bigger issue is "How big of a demagogic weapon did you just hand to your opponent?"

While humans are not perfect (and politicians even less so), every GOP candidate must be on top of his game, 24/7, under any speaking conditions, to prevent giving the treasonous Dems anything that can be used as a weapon. Akin, unfortunately, has proved that he's not up to this task.

[Biggirl]

Could it be because both the TP and Sean DO NOT WANT to see Sen. Clare get re-elected again?

[Biggirl]

Not really politically correct, just concerned about the direction that the country is heading.

[Qbert]

" Translation - Our girl didn't win so we're going to take Akin down after the fact in any way we can, no matter what, just to show him he's not going to win anything since she wasn't nominated! Oh, yeah, this whole brouhaha is all compleeeeeeetely on the up and up."

Akin brought this mess upon himself. Stop pointing fingers. Be a grownup.

[philman_36]

Akin brought this mess upon himself.
BS! He answered an interview question poorly. BIG WHOOP!

Stop pointing fingers.
You're not my boss! I'll point fingers anywhere I want!

Be a grownup.
Stop cracking your whip like you're in charge of anything.

[Qbert]

"If the tea party says that it is time for Akin to go, then it looks like it is over for Akin."

Yep. And I think pro-life groups and FRC, et al, should seriously consider the damage that was done to the pro-life movement the last time Democrats won close elections in red states in '06 and '08. (Bart Stupak and his "gang", anyone?). Forgive Akin, ok... but get behind somebody who has a sure chance of winning this Nov.