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Despite 'Legitimate Rape' Comment, Todd Akin Could Win Senate Bid

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Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri addresses the media in August, confirming his plans to remain in Missouri's U.S. Senate race despite a political uproar over remarks he made about rape and pregnancy. (AP/Sid Hastings)
Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri addresses the media in August, confirming his plans to remain in Missouri's U.S. Senate race despite a political uproar over remarks he made about rape and pregnancy. (AP/Sid Hastings)

The Daily Beast is calling Missouri Republican Congressman Todd Akin "Lazarus," because he seems to have risen from the political dead after his bogus claim that a woman's body could somehow prevent pregnancy in what he called "legitimate rape."

Akin apologized for the remark, but refused to drop out, even after Republican leaders asked him to bow out.

Now some polls are showing that Akin's pulled ahead of sitting Senator Claire McCaskill.

No 'Legitimate Rape' Reference In Debate

The candidates met for their second and final debate last night, and no one brought up the "legitimate rape" comment.

McCaskill hit Akin on his opposition to the minimum wage, his support for turning Medicare into a voucher program and his objections to federally-backed student loans. She also accused him of not paying his female staffers as much as men over the past 12 years.

St. Louis Beacon reporter Jo Mannies investigated that claim. She reported that according to Akin's campaign, during the last financial quarter, women staffers have been paid more than men. They had no comment about the pay over the full 12 years.

Akin blasted McCaskill by saying she was too tied to President Barack Obama and government spending. He also referred to his claim that McCaskill's husband made $39 million in low-income housing subsidies thanks to projects in which he has a business interest.

Fact checkers have discredited that accusation, but voters might be listening, as some polls show Akin has the lead.

The Republican group, Citizens United Victory Fund by Wenzel Strategies, released a poll showing Akin up by four points over McCaskill, 49 to 45 percent.

Sen. McCaskill released an internal poll this week showing she had a 14-point lead.

Money And Mailers

Even though Sen. McCaskill didn't mention Akin's "legitimate rape" comment in the debate, she is hammering it in campaign ads, and a Democratic SuperPAC has found a unique way to remind voters about it.

American Bridge 21ST Century is spending $37,000 on talking mailers. They work like those singing greeting cards. When you open it up, an audio recording plays Todd Akin making his infamous remark. (You can see what the mailer looks and sounds like in the video below.)

Meantime, here's an ad from Akin's campaign calling McCaskill "corrupt."

Akin has asked Republicans for help, but so far, the only major figures to give support are Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee.

Akin has become so upset with the Republican establishment that Thursday night, he issued a press release blasting Republican leaders for their lack of support.

Akin plastered the release with photos of Republican leaders and said if he lost the race, they would be responsible.

Meanwhile, new fundraising information came out Thursday showing that McCaskill has a four-to-one fundraising advantage over Akin going into the last weeks of the campaign.

Guest:

This segment aired on October 19, 2012.

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