Akin Update

[Content Note: Rape culture.]


Whooooooooooooooops for America.
The Republican Party is not happy with Rep. Akin, their Senate candidate in Missouri, who went from leading his Democratic opponent, incumbent Claire McCaskill, to being in a statistical tie in only a matter of days. Funding is being pulled, anonymous sources are saying Akin's going to quit, and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is telling him to get lost:

"What he said is just flat wrong in addition to being wildly offensive to any victim of sexual abuse," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader. "Although Representative Akin has apologized, I believe he should take time with his family to consider whether this statement will prevent him from effectively representing our party in this critical election."

Under election rules in Missouri, the deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for candidates to withdraw from the Senate race without a court order. The state party would have until Sept. 18 to select another candidate.

Meanwhile, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney says Akin is on his own: "He should understand that his words with regards to rape are not words that I can defend, that we can defend, or that we can defend him."

(Please, US media, I beg you to ask Mitt Romney why he considers "legitimate rape" indefensible but "forcible rape" fine and dandy. Because that is some rank hypocritical bullshit, right there.)

In any case, Akin is still trying to stick it out, releasing a new campaign ad in which he asks for "forgiveness," but smart money says Akin drops out sometime today.

When the only people getting your back are the Family Research Council and Mike Huckabee—who helpfully noted yesterday that, hey, some great people are "the result of a forcible rape" yiiiiikes—your days hours are numbered.

In related news: GOP prepares tough anti-abortion platform. PERFECT.