Politics

Missouri Rep. Todd Akin says the U.S. should suspend aid to Egypt because of the attack on the U.S. embassy and the repeated burning of American flags by Egyptians.

Akin said in a statement Thursday that the fact that the embassy attack occurred on Sept. 11 suggests it was planned and not spontaneous. He said if Egypt were a good ally, it should have better protected the U.S. embassy.

Akin said U.S. aid to Egypt should be suspended "until the Egyptian government takes corrective action to restore its relationship with the United States."

St. Louis Public Radio's Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum from the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a variety of issues. On today's podcast: an update on Akin's campaign initiative (and poetry reading) aimed at women.  Also, a preview of Monday's special election between Newman and Carlson. And finally, a look at the prominent national Republicans visiting Missouri.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies

A long-time St. Louis County lawmaker is leaving office this year because her Senate district was moved to the Kansas City area.  Republican Jane Cunningham of Chesterfield has spent eight years in the Missouri House and four in the Senate, making a name for herself as an outspoken social conservative. 

During her last visit to the Capitol as an elected official last week, she sat down with St. Louis Public Radio’s Marshall Griffin to talk about her record in office and where she goes from here.