Election 2012: Missouri Senate Missouri Senate: McCaskill (D) 48%, Akin (R) 38%

[Berlin Expat]

Source: Rasmussen Reports

What a difference one TV interview can make. Embattled Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill has now jumped to a 10-point lead over her Republican challenger, Congressman Todd Akin, in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race. Most Missouri Republicans want Akin to quit the race while most Missouri Democrats want him to stay.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Show Me State finds McCaskill earning 48% support to Akin’s 38%. Nine percent (9%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided.

Read more: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_senate_elections/missouri/election_2012_missouri_senate

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I should elaborate, for those who many not be aware, Rasmussen tends to tilt GOP as far as polling goes. So if they're showing a 10 point deficit for Akin, the GOP is in trouble down Missouri way.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. We should all encourage Akin

to stay in the race and keep talking!

[Berlin Expat]

3. Oh, I totally agree

We need this Neanderthal cretin in the race.......he's the poster boy for the knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers that constitute the Republican Party of today.

[DearAbby]

37. Damage done

Now to take offense, we've got the ball. Let's hang it around Ryan's neck.

[Coyotl]

67. Nationwide. This will have a huge impact everywhere in the country this Fall.

In due time, this will transfer from Akin to all Republicans, especially as the platform gets linked to the rhetoric by Akin and Ryan.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Contrary1]

45. I sent him a nice message regarding how unfairly the media was treating him...

told him to "Keep the Faith", and stay in the race.



http://www.akin.org/contact

[4lbs]

2. If Rasmussen shows a 10 point lead for McCaskill then the real difference is probably greater

since Rasmussen is infamous for oversampling Republicans.

[Berlin Expat]

4. I consider Rasmussen

a GOP polling outfit, but in fairness, that's strictly my personal opinion.

[klook]

27. Just was reading about how they tend to poll more landline-only phone customers

which of course skews to old folks. They miss a lot of cellphone-only users. Interesting article about this in NY Times not too long ago.

[samsingh]

35. rasmussen may be purposely tilting it the other way to get the asshole - akin - to quit the race

[SunSeeker]

68. That's what I'm afraid of. Wish they'd STFU until Sept. 25!!!

[sofa king]

47. Unless Rasmussen is pushing in the other direction...

... for once.

I think Fox News is trying to send this chump a message. Let us hope he remains as instransigent as he always has been.

[Kalidurga]

5. I feel better now...

knowing even some republicans are against forcible birth.

[amuse bouche]

6. Wow

This is fabulous. Now we need this kind of action for the Prez

[lobodons]

7. Rasmussen wants Akin out

Rasmussen represents the GOP establishment and wants to show Akin losing to help shove him out.

[Cosmocat]

46. YEP

that would be my take ...

[DonRedwood]

56. yup....rassmussen always leans away from the people they don't like

[russspeakeasy]

59. The poll is bullshit.

[julian09]

8. Probably want to lull Dems into thinking , no need to vote.

[bushisanidiot]

9. bad poll numbers will be the only thing to get akin to drop out

although, he DID say he isn't a quitter! hope he stays in!

[Berlin Expat]

14. To quote a famous Jedi general,

Akin is on a "damned fool crusade".

The man believes he's on a mission from God, and zealots are not well-known as being the most reasonable of people.

C'est la vie.

[DearAbby]

39. I disagree.

Their party platform proves this. Akin is more aligned with the party than Romney. There isn't bit of daylight between Akin and Ryan.

This campaign has changed in the eyes of the RW Base...they are thinking Ryan pulling a CHENEY, only he is younger and totally heartless. (Cheney's was a transplant from a human being) They are running Ryan. That is the one people should be paying attention too.

[klook]

32. Only cowards cut and run.

I heard that somewhere.

[musiclawyer]

10. This poll proves one thing

Dems MUST tether Akin's views to the entire GOP. They are one and the same. We here on DU know that, but millions of low information voters do not. It's odd that we would be using women's rights, "banning contraception" etc in the 21st century as a wedge. But timely irony is refreshing sometimes. It's one of those things where if enough women vote Dem, it does not matter how energized the GOP base is. And I frankly think Paul Ryan is proof they were not energized that much to begin with.

[coalition_unwilling]

15. Republicans = Rape. There's your 2012 brand. I'm going to be repeating it every day

from now through November.

[truthisfreedom]

30. Rapepublicans.

There.

[TahitiNut]

38. "R" = Rapologists

[coalition_unwilling]

42. Beautiful. Now that's branding at its finest - n/t

[Mz Pip]

21. There is no daylight

between the policies of Akin and the policies of Ryan and the GOP platform.

It really doesn't matter so much what Akins believes, it's about what he and the rest of the GOP would do about it.

Hopefully, people who have their issues with Obama will hold their nose and vote for him because the alternative is just awful. It's all about turnout and an unenthusiastic vote is worth the same as an enthusiastic one.

[RC]

43. Don't have to. The GOP did it for us by spelling out it their in their platform.

"Dems MUST tether Akin's views to the entire GOP."

GOP rejects rape exception in platform
TAMPA, Fla. — Even as Mitt Romney sought to quash the furor surrounding Todd Akin’s “legitimate” rape comments, the Republican platform committee here approved an abortion plank that includes no exemptions for rape, incest or even to save the life of the mother.

The platform committee instead approved draft language Tuesday, calling for a “Human Life Amendment” that gives legal protection to the unborn. Democrats quickly labeled the GOP language the “Akin Plank,” referring to the Missouri Senate candidate’s statements that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79945.html

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. Don't celebrate yet. He may have no choice but to drop out and try to get someone

to replace him on the ballot if he does so before September 26 (?). His numbers may be too much in the toilet. However, I don't put anything past the Republicans. Voter fraud, lying ads, all kinds of shenanigans come to the fore when they feel threatened or are vulnerable.

[Berlin Expat]

16. I totally agree; Mr. Akin may

drop out. He has until the 25th of September to do so, actually, two more days.

Whether he does or not, I can't say with any certainty. I do hope he stays in, not just to retain the seat from MO, but because Mr. Akin serves as a valuable instrument; a brush with which to paint a less than flattering portrait of the entire GOP.

[muriel_volestrangler]

19. September? Or August? (nt)

[xmas74]

64. He still has until late September to drop out.

I believe local news said he'll have to go through the courts to do so and the GOP will have to pay the entire cost of reprinting all the ballots.(If he had dropped a few days' ago there would be no worries.)

[Gary 50]

12. My faith in America somewhat restored.

Initial polling after Akin's brain fart showed him leading by one percentage point. I guess it took a few days for his gross stupidity to register with the public. Still troubling that 38% could support the American Taliban.

[eissa]

44. Mine isn't

Americans have notoriously short attention spans. The media will come up with The Next Big Story before November and most of the electorate will probably forget who Akin is, let alone the stupidity he spews. I want to believe these polls, I really do, but I've been so disappointed before.

[DainBramaged]

13. Isn't it too late for Akin to be quitted?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. No, only without a court order.

Up until 7 weeks out from the election he can go before the court and remove himself.

This, in my opinion, is very likely the GOP trying to get him to do just that.

[cosmicone]

18. Rasmussen may be purposely doing this

to force Akin out of the race.

[Frances]

20. Agree!

PPP (a Dem, but reliable organization) polled a day after people had heard Akin's comments and found him with a 1 point lead over Claire.

Rasmussen is as crooked as they come. I think these poll results are designed to get Akin to quit.

[Frances]

29. Reason that Rasmussen has McCaskill with a 10 point lead

from Taegan Goddard's political wire:

"A source close to Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) tells The Daily that the congressman would likely stay in the U.S. Senate race if polls continue to show him within five points of Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), but that if he falls into a deficit between seven and nine points, "that gets difficult."

"National Journal reports Akin commissioned an automated poll on Monday, which showed him in a statistical dead heat with McCaskill. That finding, along with a separate Public Policy Polling survey also showing the race competitive, played a large role in convincing him not to withdraw from the race."

Rasmussen just wants Akin to drop out. I do not trust their poll.

[jeff47]

40. It often takes a while for a gaffe to affect polls.

So one day after Akin's statement is probably too soon to measure the real result with a poll.

Not saying Rasmussen is right here, but the PPP poll was too close to the event to measure the results.

[LynneSin]

22. I predict that a 3rd party candidate will run and be supported by the RNC

RNC won't give another dime to Akin. There is a Sore Loser clause is Missouri so none of the people that ran against Akin in the primaries can run as an independent. So that means it will probably be Ashcroft, Bond or Talent that will be recruited to run as an independent and hopefully salvage the Missouri race.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

23. They would if they could, but the date to file was July 30th.

They need to force him to step down. He's holding out for a better deal.

He's really got the GOP over a barrel.

[LisaL]

31. If Akin stays on, that will only split the republican vote.

And will make it easier for a democrat to win.

[JNelson6563]

57. Or they'll run and fund a Green (again)

A pox on both of those houses.

[xmas74]

65. I think it's too late to file.

A friend is running third party as a state rep and they had to file with fees paid by July 30th.

[Jamaal510]

24. WHOA!

Didn't see this coming. No wonder why the rightists were trying to boot Akin out of the race. I actually thought he'd have this in the bag despite his comments, since MO is a red state.

[pstokely]

62. It's not a solid red state

Obama lost it by less than 1%

[karynnj]

25. I hope this is real - but could it be the Republican Rassmussen pushing Akin?

[Frances]

34. McCaskill thinks Rasmussen is just trying to get Akin to drop out

from Talking Points Memo's Live Wire:

"Claire McCaskill✔
@clairecmc
Rasmussen poll made me laugh out loud. If anyone believes that, I just turned 29. Sneaky stuff. bit.ly/SscVZf"

[longship]

36. Good girl, Sen. McCaskill

That shows how smart she is. And it is a win/win tactic. If the poll is correct, she wins hugely. But she isn't going to presume that.

You go, Claire.

[liberallibral]

26. Love it!!!

Especially love when the GOP just digs their own grave, bwahahaha!!!!

[Hawaii Hiker]

28. Not sure whether this is some sort of Jedi mind trick

by Rasmussen to make Akin look so bad he'll leave the race, or is this an accurate poll?...

[marble falls]

33. Bravo! I think he should go and free lance campaign nationwide for Romney/Akins jr. ticket .....

he's got the Missouri election all tied up, he need's to share the magic.

[The Stranger]

41. " . . . while most Missouri Democrats want him to stay."

I couldn't help but laugh.

[xmas74]

66. This MO Dem wants him to stay, take off his shoes,

put his feet up. I'll get him a daiquiri if he likes-he seems too fancy for a can of beer. I'll even let him have the tv remote while I order a pizza.

I don't want him going anywhere until November.

[Lebam in LA]

48. Seems a little fishy to me

I don't trust Rasmussen. What are they upto?

[SpankMe]

49. He'll come back and it'll be a closer race than this.

There are 2-1/2 months until the election. Republicans have a habit of stubbornly sticking to their agenda - no matter how wrong it is - and gradually regaining ground. Time heals all wounds. Don't relax. Keep on hitting back.

[trailmonkee]

50. nice!!!!!!!

[still_one]

51. This is huge because it signals that the women vote should destroy the repugs at the polls

[Firebrand Gary]

52. Rasmussan is trash, they are only putting up these false numbers to push Akin out! nt

[SleeplessinSoCal]

63. I wish that could be proven, so they could be pushed out of the polling business!

[wordpix]

53. Keep going, Claire!

[outsideworld]

54. dont believe this

One bit .

[Norbert]

55. I hope Akin has coat tails

I'd love to see that idiot Steve King knocked out of Congress as well.

[kimbutgar]

58. Karl rove is in bed with Rasmussen as much as I'd like I don't believe this poll

[Botany]

60. Rasmussen

[pstokely]

61. I expect it get closer as the near election nears

but now Claire has the edge

[Dont call me Shirley]

69. YES! I voted for Claire way back when....

[Third Doctor]

70. I don't believe

this poll. That's too big a swing in just a few days especially in a red state. I would think it's a tie or one or the other has a very slight lead.