Todd Akin

Discussion: Akin Pushes Book, Defends ‘Legitimate Rape’ Comment

By Erica Smith • Jul 22, 2014

Jason Rosenbaum / St. Louis Public Radio

This story was updated following St. Louis on the Air.

Former U.S. Rep. Todd Akin is back, and he’s not sorry.

Two years after losing a contest for U.S. Senate and igniting a “war on women” debate with a comment about rape, Akin has written a book that offers behind-the-scenes details about how he, his campaign and his family coped.

In an August 2012 interview with Charles Jaco on KTVI (Channel 2), Akin was asked about abortion and rape. Akin, who is staunchly anti-abortion, said that a pregnancy from rape “is really rare.”

Akin Stands By View Of Rape, Wishes GOP Would Stand By Him

By Jo Mannies • Jul 18, 2014

Todd Akin’s new book is entitled “Firing Back.’’ But based on the former St. Louis area congressman’s interviews over the past week, an equally descriptive title could be “No Apology.”

Two years after losing a nationally watched contest for the U.S. Senate, Akin is arguably more passionate than ever as he defends the message that landed him in hot water in 2012.

The immortal phrase in question: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

For Republicans, Silence Is Golden When It Comes To Akin's Book

By Jo Mannies • Jul 14, 2014

(Updated 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 15)

Former U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Wildwood, is continuing this week to make the rounds of the national news outlets as he promotes his new book, “Firing Back.”

But most Republicans, nationally and in Missouri, are continuing to ignore his book – and him.

In the book, Akin generally defends his controversial 2012 contention that in cases of “legitimate rape,’’ women rarely get pregnant because “their bodies have ways of shutting the whole thing down.”

Ex-Rep. Akin Doubled Staff Salaries After Defeat

By The Associated Press • Apr 1, 2013

Former Missouri Congressman Todd Akin roughly doubled his office payroll after losing a campaign for U.S. Senate.

Salary figures available through the online tracking site Legistorm.com show Akin paid his 14-person staff nearly $400,000 in the final quarter of 2012. That's twice as much as the $200,000 quarterly payroll that Akin averaged through the rest of the year.

Politically Speaking: Prop P, MOSIRA, and McCaskill's Book

By Chris McDaniel • Mar 22, 2013

Every week, St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins the St. Louis Beacon’s Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the week’s politics.

On this week's episode: We discuss the conservatives on both sides of Prop. P, the court rulings while the Missouri legislature is on vacation, and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's new book.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies

‘Akin’s Name Was All Over The World’ – 2012 Politics Reviewed

By Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh • Dec 26, 2012

According to a survey of Associated Press newspaper editors and broadcast news directors in Missouri, the top news story in the state was Republican Representative Todd Akin’s controversial and unscientific remarks about “legitimate rape.”

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Dec 14, 2012

St. Louis Public Radio's Chris McDaniel joins the St. Louis Beacon's Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the week's politics.

On today's episode: It's a blast from the past as we start off the show by talking about Congressman Todd Akin's race (specifically his NRSC funding), then we move on to Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones' so-called Speaker Tour (or the Lt. Gov.'s Tour?), and we close it out with a discussion on the Arch Tax.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

Akin Owes Nearly $270K From Failed Mo. Senate Bid

By The Associated Press • Dec 13, 2012

Republican Missouri congressman Todd Akin owes almost $270,000 after his unsuccessful challenge of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.

A federal finance report available online Thursday shows Akin's committee spent about $6 million on his Senate campaign - less than a third of the $19.3 million spent by McCaskill.

Akin reported $268,830 of debt as of Nov. 26. McCaskill previously reported that she had $238,010 of debt as of that date. But it's often easer for winners than losers to raise money to pay off their campaign debts.

Mo. Congressional Vacancy Avoids Partisan Pitfalls

By The Associated Press • Dec 10, 2012

(Office of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson)

There will be no repeat of the big-dollar, negative primary that plagued Missouri's Republican Senate contest when GOP leaders meet next year to select a replacement candidate for retiring Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.

That's because there will be no primary election at all - no chance for rank-and-file Republicans or Democrats to cast their votes.

Nominees will be selected by committees of party officials from southeast Missouri. Only then will one Republican and one Democratic candidate be submitted to voters in a special election.

Despite Condemning The Candidate, The NRSC Funneled Money To Akin

By Chris McDaniel • Dec 7, 2012

Updated at 2:02 with McCaskill's finances.

In spite of repeated assurances that they wouldn't support Congressman Todd Akin's senate bid after his damning comments regarding "legitimate rape," the National Republican Senatorial Committee funneled $756,000 into Akin's campaign during the days before the election.

Decision 2012 Post-Election Special

By Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh • Nov 7, 2012

Robert Peterson / St. Louis Public Radio

The election is over and despite some predictions that the results would take a considerable amount of time to trickle in and may even be unknown for a few days, that was not the case.

Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill handedly won re-election, defeating Republican Congressman Todd Akin.

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Nov 7, 2012

It's the post-election Politically Speaking special. Chris McDaniel of St. Louis Public Radio joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon to wrap up last night's races.

We go through McCaskill's decisive win over Akin (was he trounced or shellacked?) as well as all the state-wide races. We also throw in a couple Congressional seats, Missouri legislature make-up, and the ballot initiative results.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

Race Of Strange Turns: McCaskill's Road To Victory

By Maria Altman • Nov 7, 2012

The U.S. Senate race in Missouri was sewed up by Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill by 10 p.m. last night.

McCaskill got nearly 58 percent of Missouri ‘s vote compared to Republican Congressman Todd Akin’s 39 percent.

Early in the campaign, pundits predicted McCaskill would not be able to hold onto her seat.

But as St. Louis Public Radio’s Maria Altman reports, it was a race filled with strange turns.

Starting with an upward battle

Claire McCaskill was one of the GOP’s top targets in their attempt to take back the U.S. Senate.

McCaskill Re-Elected, Beats Akin In Senate Race

By Adam Allington & Bill Raack • Nov 7, 2012

(Rachel Lippmann/St. Louis Public Radio)

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill defeated GOP challenger Todd Akin Tuesday to hold on to a Missouri Senate seat that Republicans once considered vulnerable.

McCaskill won with about 54-percent of the vote in the election. She told supporters in St. Louis' Central West End Tuesday night that the victory means more to her because many pundits had predicted she would lose her seat.

"They all said 'it's over, it's done, it's too red, it's just too red, there is no way that Claire McCaskill can survive.' Well, you know what happened? You proved 'em wrong," McCaskill said.

Akin Sees 'Fire And Enthusiasm' In Campaign

By The Associated Press • Nov 5, 2012

Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin believes surging support will pull him through.

The Republican spent his final full day of campaigning on Monday by thanking supporters at several stops in the St. Louis area. In St. Peters, he told a couple of dozen volunteers that he sees what he called a "fire and enthusiasm" for his campaign to unseat Democrat Claire McCaskill.

McCaskill was making several stops around the state on Monday.

McCaskill says voters will have a choice between a moderate and an extremist when they cast ballots Tuesday in the U.S. Senate race.

A Conversation With Mo. U.S. Senate Candidate Claire McCaskill

By Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh • Nov 5, 2012

The race for U.S. Senate in Missouri between Democratic incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill and Republican Congressman Todd Akin is close and has garnered national attention.

Recent polling data shows Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney leads in Missouri, as does McCaskill over Akin, by a slim margin.

'Never count Todd Akin out,' says Former Staffer Patrick Werner

By Tim Poor • Nov 3, 2012

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: Name: Patrick Werner

Party: Republican

Age: 41

Job: State Director, Americans for Prosperity-Missouri

Education: Quincy University, Webster University

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Nov 1, 2012

It's the last Politically Speaking before the election. As always, St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum from the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a few political issues.

On today’s podcast: We wrap up the Missouri Senate race with Congressman Todd Akin and Senator Claire McCaskill. We then talk about our impressions of turnout in general in the St. Louis area -- which is currently down according to absentee voting numbers. And finally, Jo gives us some trivia knowledge for some historic presidential races.

McCaskill Returns To The Campaign Trail

By Chris McDaniel & Tina Eaton • Oct 31, 2012

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill is back on the campaign trail, attacking her opponent, Republican Congressman Todd Akin for his stance on the school lunch program. It was McCaskill’s first public appearance since the passing of her mother, Betty Anne.

In previous campaigns, the Senator would often bring her mother up on the stump.

McCaskill said her passing has been “tumultuous."

New McCaskill Ad Calls Akin 'Scary'

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 29, 2012

At a small gathering at a coffeehouse on Sunday, Women for Claire convened to unveil a new ad in support of Democratic incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill. McCaskill was not in attendance, instead spending time with her ill mother.

A few women spoke in her stead, criticizing Republican Congressman Todd Akin.

"What is he (Akin) going to do for a woman like you?" Darlene Green, St. Louis Comptroller asked the crowd. "What is he going to say about a woman like me? We already know what he said about a woman like Claire."

Akin: EPA Should Be Redesigned

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 29, 2012

You can add Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma to the growing number of prominent Republicans voicing their support for Congressman Todd Akin’s bid for Senator Claire McCaskill’s seat.

Inhofe is the ranking minority member for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and he joined Akin in criticizing McCaskill’s stance on fossil fuels.

Huckabee Stars In New Ad For Akin

By Rachel Lippmann • Oct 28, 2012

Republican Todd Akin is up with two new television ads, as his US Senate race enters its final eight days.

One spot features former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who also campaigned for Akin in the primaries. In that ad, "Strong as Steel," Huckabee calls Akin a good Christian man and a courageous conservative who can’t be bought.

Rape Comments Complicate But Don't End GOP Senate Takeover Chances

By Liz Halloran • Oct 25, 2012

The enthusiasm with which Democrats seized upon Senate candidate Richard Mourdock's philosophizing about God's plan for unborn children of women impregnated by rape may have suggested the Indiana Republican's election chances had just ended.

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 25, 2012

St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum from the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a few political issues.

On today’s Halloween-themed podcast: We start off by giving our impressions of last week's debate Senate debate, and discuss Akin and his campaign's "dog" comments. We then turn to another debate: the gubernatorial debate that isn't really a debate. And finally, we close out with Jason discussing the state legislative races.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

Akin On ‘Dog’ Comment: Everybody Knew What I Meant

By Alex Heuer, Chris McDaniel, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh • Oct 22, 2012

The U.S. Senate race in Missouri has drawn national attention with Republican Congressman Todd Akin vying to unseat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. Most recently, Akin garnered national ire for saying McCaskill is like a dog that fetches taxes and regulations from D.C. and brings them back to Missouri.

Akin defended that analogy on Monday.

McCaskill And Akin Square Off In Final Debate

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 18, 2012

(Akin: UPI Bill Greenblatt/McCaskill: Flickr/SenatorMcCaskill)

Incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill and Republican challenger Todd Akin squared off in their final debate of the campaign last night. Those hoping for a slugfest were probably disappointed.

In fact, Akin’s previous “legitimate rape” comment largely went ignored, and the two candidates didn’t cover much new ground.

They mostly stuck to the talking points they’ve used on the campaign trail – McCaskill portrayed herself as a moderate.

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 18, 2012

St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum from the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a few political issues.

On today’s podcast: We have to start off with an Akin/McCaskill update. We give a glimpse into that race, as well as Libertarian candidate Jonathan Dine's exclusion from the Senate debate. We then give some attention some often overlooked races, like the Lietenant Governor and Attorney General race.

One of the campaign ads we discuss is this new video from Democratic candidate Susan Montee:

Libertarian Dine Upset With His Exclusion From Mo. Senate Debate

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 17, 2012

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill and Republican Congressman Todd Akin will debate each other at Clayton High School Thursday night.

Noticeably absent, however, is the Libertarian candidate that could influence the outcome of the Senate race: Jonathan Dine.

According to a recent poll, Dine is garnering about 9 percent of the vote, which is rather uncommon for a third party candidate in the United States.

A Conversation With Mo. U.S. Senate Candidate Jonathan Dine

By Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh • Oct 17, 2012

The path to victory is rarely easy for political candidates and it’s even more difficult for third party candidates. Host Don Marsh talks with Libertarian Jonathan Dine, candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Missouri.

Show Highlights

“I think it’s possible to win this race if a few more Democrats and Republicans would come my way,”
said Jonathan Dine.

This Week's Politically Speaking Podcast

By Chris McDaniel • Oct 11, 2012

St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum from the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a few political issues. On today’s podcast: We start off with (what else?) an update on the Akin and McCaskill senate race. We then give some attention to the gubernatorial race between Nixon and Spence, discussing their new ads, which are basically ads against the other's ads. And finally we wallow in the mud of the Illinois 12th Congressional district race.

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter: @csmcdaniel

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