Why Akin probably doesn’t exit today or tomorrow [View all]
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/21/13393834-first-thoughts-the-chickens-may-have-come-home-to-roost?lite
About 1/3 through the piece on nbcnews.com
As much of the party is pressuring him to exit the race, Akin is up with a new TV ad asking for forgiveness. Rape is an evil act, he says to the camera. I used the wrong words in the wrong way. And for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. And I pray for them
The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness. Heres our guess for now: Akin isnt withdrawing today or tomorrow. He might eventually (before that final Sept. 25 deadline, at which point he would have to ask a court to take his name off the ballot), but it wont be now. Why? Put yourself in Akins shoes. No one in Washington wanted him as the GOP nominee in the first place (even if they didnt try to get the person they wanted), and so he owes them nothing because -- in his mind -- these folks asking him to get out didnt help him get there. And isnt it perfectly rational in HIS mind that he take longer than 24 hours to decide whether to stay or go? It may not be comfortable for the powers that be, but given how hard U.S. Senate nominations are to come by, it seems nuts to think hell simply walk away from this in 48 hours, especially since he doesnt believe he did anything wrong other than use the wrong word. And by the way, be careful of any polls claiming the race is still close. That is probably true now, but make no mistake: This race is NOT WINNABLE for Akin anymore, period. All Claire McCaskill has to do is run ads featuring every quote from uttered yesterday by every prominent Republican in the country denouncing Akin as unfit to run.