The Fix‘s Chris Cilizza speculates about Todd Akin’s intentions in regard to a Senate run:

… With the GOP field to face Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in flux, Rep. Todd Akin (R) is now taking a closer look at the race.

Multiple sources confirm Akin has begun making phone calls to evaluate support for a potential GOP primary campaign.

Akin previously had ruled out running for Senate. But more recently, he said he would not rule it out. And now he is actively exploring a campaign.

“I do know that he is concerned that there be a good conservative candidate that can represent the state of Missouri,” Akin spokesman Steve Taylor said. “Beyond that, the congressman has made no announcement.”

It sure looks like Akin’s testing the water for a Senate run – apropos of which FiredUp’s report on Akin’s program ad at the St. Charles Lincoln Days even gives us a preview of his potential campaign slogan: “It’s Time for TAKIN back America.” Get it? Typography is important here: TAKIN = T. Akin. Not so subtle, especially when, as FiredUp‘s Sean observes:

Note in Akin’s program ad that he says it’s time for “true Patriots” to help elect Republicans to the U.S. Senate.

Akin’s concern that there be a “good” conservative candidate – by which he presumably means himself – takes on a special resonance since it looks more and more likely that Ann Wagner, who is what passes as a respectable Republican these days, is also going to get in the race. So we may see a primary race consisting of the Tea Party tweedle dum and tweedle dee (Steelman and Martin), the old-line Missouri GOPer, Wagner, and our sui generis Brother Akin. A good time for all may be in the cards – as long as we are prepared to take on boatloads of crazy after the primary.