Republican senatorial candidate Todd Akin is reportedly rebounding in his election efforts following the controversy that arose last month when he expounded on his beliefs surrounding rape to a local television station.
Akin, who held a fundraiser with former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich today, continues to hit the campaign trail, and is finding significant support. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet with a group of influential pastors.
“I believe the state of the campaign is looking better and better,” he said.
Tomorrow is the deadline for Akin to drop out of the race against his competitor Claire McCaskill, but he states that he is not backing down. Calls for Akin to withdraw came from across the country, including from Republicans, when he stated that he had been informed by medical professionals that a woman’s body has the capability to prevent pregnancy in the event of a “legitimate rape,” otherwise known as forcible rape.
“It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare,” Akin told television station KTVI. “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”
One of the most prominent figures that called for Akin’s withdraw was Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Connie Mackey, president of Family Research Council’s FRC Action, which has vocally supported Mitt Romney’s bid for the White House, said that she was disappointed that Romney threw Akin under the bus.
“I don’t understand why the long knives came out in the first place,” she said.
However, Mackey also stated that she believed Akin’s comments were “wrong, plain and simple.”
Nonetheless, since the incident, a new coalition of supportive women from across the state, who simply identify as “Women for Akin,” are pulling together to show their appreciation for the candidate. Julie Thomas from the Ozarks called Akin “a man with unparalleled character,” and stated that when Republicans abandoned Akin, “that was a tipping point for me” to support him all the more.
Akin faces off against Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill at the ballot box in less than 50 days.