Why Akin probably doesn’t exit today or tomorrow

[liberal N proud]

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/21/13393834-first-thoughts-the-chickens-may-have-come-home-to-roost?lite

About 1/3 through the piece on nbcnews.com

As much of the party is pressuring him to exit the race, Akin is up with a new TV ad asking for forgiveness. “Rape is an evil act,” he says to the camera. “I used the wrong words in the wrong way. And for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. And I pray for them… The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.” Here’s our guess for now: Akin isn’t withdrawing today or tomorrow. He might eventually (before that final Sept. 25 deadline, at which point he would have to ask a court to take his name off the ballot), but it won’t be now. Why? Put yourself in Akin’s shoes. No one in Washington wanted him as the GOP nominee in the first place (even if they didn’t try to get the person they wanted), and so he owes them nothing because -- in his mind -- these folks asking him to get out didn’t help him get there. And isn’t it perfectly rational in HIS mind that he take longer than 24 hours to decide whether to stay or go? It may not be comfortable for the powers that be, but given how hard U.S. Senate nominations are to come by, it seems nuts to think he’ll simply walk away from this in 48 hours, especially since he doesn’t believe he did anything wrong other than use the wrong word. And by the way, be careful of any polls claiming the race is still close. That is probably true now, but make no mistake: This race is NOT WINNABLE for Akin anymore, period. All Claire McCaskill has to do is run ads featuring every quote from uttered yesterday by every prominent Republican in the country denouncing Akin as unfit to run.

[coalition_unwilling]

1. I hope Akin's obstinance takes down the entire Republican Party and

relegates it to permanent rump status. Think your garden-variety 19th-Century Whigs or Know-Nothings.

As they sow, so also shall they fucking reap. You fuckers wanted to politicize the reproductive health issue, and now you own it.

Run, Todd, run. Don't go Akin my Heart

[Life Long Dem]

2. I look at Todd Akin as a distraction

Quit today so Obama can continue pounding away at Romney and the Cayman Islands tax haven.

But no, Repubs will use one of their own going down as a distraction. Get off the stage! Obama has things to say!

[DonRedwood]

3. I don't think the polls count all those minority voters as "likely voters"

So...if the polls are even close counting the likely voters...well...then you have to toss in the black vote and the hispanic vote who don't get polled as likely voters.

I think Obama is farther ahead than the media is letting on. They need a close race so people will stay glued to the political coverage.

Has anyone seen a comparison of likely voters and polling in 2008 for MO? I wonder how many unlikely voters came out for Obama the first time around.

[gordianot]

4. Akin is a success in validating the stupidest campaign ad by McCaskill touting Akin too conservative

Never have I seen a worse political ad by a Democrat actually endorsing an opponent and now Akin proved it correct. What a weird world and time to witness.