MO: Akin could really blow this

[RogueBeaver]

Dana Bash also reported that the NRSC has told him to get out. Romney all but called on him to quit. Now what's this I hear about 9/25 or something?

[RogueBeaver]

Breaking on Twitter that Akin will withdraw tomorrow. Guessing Brunner replaces him as primary runner-up. He has $$$ and infrastructure ready to go.

[RogueBeaver]

Sabato also suggested that to avoid intraparty divisions the MO GOP could nominate Jim Talent or Matt Blunt. Dunno how realistic that is, but we'll find out tomorrow.

[RogueBeaver]

Talent is now advising Romney and is being tipped for the Pentagon. So if they pick someone from outside the primary it would be Graves or Blunt (who lest we forget, has beaten McCaskill before).

[RogueBeaver]

Brunner/Schweich/Talent are potential replacements.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gop-source-gop-officials-looking-to-replace-akin

[RogueBeaver]

Akin just said on Hannity that he's staying in. They have to do whatever's necessary to get him out of there.

[RogueBeaver]

Just made it worse: "I read in 'medical reports' that women can have a 'reaction' to rape that stops pregnancy."

[RogueBeaver]

Erickson just tweeted that consultants are saying he's going while Akin & his team are denying it. Talent said he's not running. So Brunner or Schweich will take up the mantle. Preferably Brunner since he has name ID, $$$ & infrastructure ready to go.

[RogueBeaver]

Akin is toast politically if he drops out.  The only hope for his personal political future is to stay in and dare the establishment to stay on the sidelines.  If he thinks this has a chance to blow over, he'll stay.

He's toast politically if he stays in because then a) McCaskill coasts into the Senate b) he's vacating his House seat to run. So he's unemployed now or in January.

[RogueBeaver]

Now they have to strip him of seniority and assignments. Expelling him from caucus would result in a total loss of leverage.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/todd-akin-im-not-quitting-ads.php

[RogueBeaver]

What will happen if he drops out?  Will the Republicans select someone else, or will it just be Claire versus all the minor party candidates?

The state party selects someone else.

[RogueBeaver]

Romney has now called on Akin to get out, for what little that's worth.

[RogueBeaver]

He's on Hannity now and apparently name-checked some famous Missourians who were products of rape-induced pregnancy. Getting worse every day.

[RogueBeaver]

First deadline has passed.

[RogueBeaver]

Sept. 25 is that deadline.

[RogueBeaver]

Huck is 100% behind Akin.

http://thepage.time.com/2012/08/23/huckabee-goes-all-in-for-akin/