I know, everyone is going “ugh” regarding the mostly dumb comments from Missouri GOP Senatorial candidate (and current Representative) Todd Akin. Here’s what I wrote in the comments over at Michelle Malkin’s spot
Perhaps Republicans shouldn’t be so quick to dump our candidates in front of a bus for saying something stupid. It seems that so often we say we’re going to stay strong, but, the minute a Republican looks bad, we rush out to placate the liberal media and Democrats instead of circling the wagons, making the GOP look weak. Who wants to run Republican when they know we won’t have their back?
The liberal media and Democrats do circle the wagons, no matter how bad the comment or action. Cheating on/not paying taxes? Also known as criminal violations of the law? Democrats and lib media circle the wagons.
Make an offensive statement? Circle the wagons.
Call Americans “teabaggers†and bitter clingers? Circle the wagons.
Target private citizens? Circle.
Have a former high ranking member of the KKK? Hell, keep electing him and make him majority leader for a time.
The list goes on.
Akin didn’t break the law. He said something dumb. We should give him our support. You want dumb? Claire McCaskill voted for Stimulus and Obamacare, much worse. Let’s not forget that Claire “forgot†to pay almost $300k in taxes for her plane.
You have many Republicans calling for him to give it up. Sean Hannity sounded like he wanted Akin to abandon his campaign earlier on the radio. Republicans and Crossroads GPS have apparently pulled out. National Review has called on Akin to step aside. So does Scott Brown. And John Cornyn. Many Republicans and Conservatives have gone all squishy as they so often due in the face of adversity.
Fortunately, some are standing up for Akin, such as social conservatives (of which I’ve been critical in the past). This is what we should all be doing. To be impolite and risk alienation, Republicans need to grow a spine. Akin is up 11 over McCaskill. Go on the offensive, bring up her Obamacare and Stimulus votes (among others), and highlight her “forgetting” to pay her taxes while demonizing “rich” people. For f*ck’s sake, you have a president who is quick to insult American citizens, especially Conservatives, and often in a nasty way. He called Americans lazy and soft. He said Americans “aren’t thinking clearly.” I could go on and on and on. Who will you replace Akin with? Bueller? Bueller? You replace him now and it is a guaranteed loss.
Buck up and stand up.
PS: Akin has a lifetime rating with the American Conservative Union of 97.24. He’s been helpful way more than hurtful. Maybe this is the kind of Conservative we need.
Double PS: I’m sorry if that sounded a bit angry, but, that’s because I am. Akin apologized, and not the “I’m sorry if you were offended” type. Let’s stop hitting our folks with the big shiny bus for one screwup.
