Area Republicans split on Akin support

Support among Southeast Missouri Republicans appears divided for the U.S. Senate candidate whose name now ranks high on a list of those made politically infamous for inflammatory statements.

Rep. Todd Akin on Wednesday continued to fight back against continuing criticism coming from his own party after he said during an interview Sunday that women's bodies could try to prevent pregnancies in what he called "legitimate rape."

Akin later apologized, also putting out a campaign TV ad saying the words didn't reflect his true feelings on the issue.

During the months leading up to the August primary, Akin enjoyed support from conservatives in Cape Girardeau County, evidenced by easily winning a tea party straw poll in July over fellow Republicans John Brunner and Sarah Steelman and becoming a favorite of local Republican activists. Akin carried more than 31 percent of the vote in Cape Girardeau County, coming in behind John Brunner's 34 percent. He was the top vote-getter in the Republican Senate primary in Bollinger, Stoddard and Perry counties. He placed second in Scott County. Akin also received official endorsement earlier this month from state Rep. Wayne Wallingford, who is set to become the next state senator from the 27th District, with no Democratic opponent in the November general election.

On Wednesday, Wallingford expressed unwavering support for Akin despite this week's controversy, saying he believes Akin is "still a great conservative candidate."

Wallingford said he believes Republicans who are pulling their support for Akin could throw the race to incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in November.

Brian Bollman, a local tea party organizer, said he thinks Akin should stay in the race, which the representative has thus far done despite pressure since the start of the week from the GOP at all levels of elected office, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, as well as current Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt and four of the state's former senators.

Bollman said his opinion of Akin as a candidate has not changed because of Sunday's comments and the withdrawal of Republican party support and financial backing from a national tea party political action committee.

"It was obviously a gaffe, and he has apologized for choosing bad words. Other than making the mistake there, he is a good candidate for representing our values in Missouri," he said.

Local Republican activist Holly Lintner echoed Bollman's thoughts on Akin.

"I totally, wholeheartedly agree that he shouldn't have said that," she said, "but the bottom line is, everybody makes mistakes, and I think this is one of those things where we need to move forward with grace."

Lintner said Republicans who called on Akin to drop his bid for the seat is disrespectful of voters who put him on top with the primary.

"No one that's actually voted for him is saying he needs to get out," she said. "They [supporters of Akin's GOP opponents] say they aren't going to support him now, but who are they going to support? McCaskill?"

Feelings among Butler County Republicans look a bit different -- its Republican Central Committee released a statement Tuesday that requested Akin not attend its Reagan Day rally next month.

"This request is a result of the comments made by the congressman regarding sexual assault and the distraction that the current situation surrounding the congressman would cause," the statement read. "As a committee we follow the lead of Sen. Roy Blunt, former Senators Danforth, Bond, Talent and Ashcroft in calling for Congressman Akin to step aside for the good of the very ideals that he is attempting to champion."

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has not called for Akin to leave the race, but two joint appearances as part of a farm tour in Butler, Ripley, Stoddard and New Madrid counties went on without the congressman Tuesday. Emerson's staff confirmed Akin's cancellation.

Holly Rehder, Republican candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives' 148th District, accompanied Emerson on the tour. Emerson issued a statement through her staff Tuesday, calling Akin's comments "reprehensible, inexcusable and dangerous."

"He was wrong to say what he did about rape, and the ignorance of that view has no place in our party, in our culture or in our country," the statement added.

Akin said Wednesday that "party bosses" and "Washington elites" are against him and that the "liberal elitist media" is trying to make him drop out of the race.

He also asked for $5 donations to his campaign to show support of his "conservative voice."

eragan@semissourian.com

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