She’s one of the few GOP moderates left, and by far the least conservative of the Missouri Republican congressional delegation. I predict a major backlash if Akin does leave and the GOP leadership picks her.
Why would you think that? If someone with the liberal record of Romney can herd conservatives, even JimRob of all people, into voting for him, there is no reason for the establishment to believe conservatives won't bend over and vote for Emerson.