Rep. Todd Akin hasn’t changed. His recent “gaffes” are no different from scores of similar incidents during his decade in the House – and, in fairness, to call them gaffes is to mispeak since the congressman seems to be doing no more than expressing his essential self and deepest beliefs. If he’s generating lots more media noise right now, it’s because the level of attention accorded to an insignificant, mostly do-nothing, House member differs from the spotlight that is shone on a candidate for a significant state-wide office. The new situation in which he finds himself is also heightened by the struggle that is currently being waged for the control of the Senate. Akin can no longer fade into the woodwork of a House of Representatives that harbors numerous other GOP ideologues who are just as if not more bizarre than he (think Joe Walsh, Virginia Fox, etc.).

Given this context, I was certainly expecting the level of attention to become more intense. But, I have to admit, I was not expecting Akin to become a such a national byword that his new-found ignominy could be used as an overt weapon against other GOPers. Take, for instance, this ad, produced by New York Democratic Congressional candidate Dan Maffei in his campaign against Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-25), who co-sponsored a bill with Akin that would have redefined rape as “forcible” rape only:  

More power to Maffei I say, and I hope that the example of Todd Akin, who so aptly expresses the plain, unvarnished anti-women agenda of today’s Republican party,  helps to wake up complacent Americans who think that the status quo will hold with no effort from them. For those who think “legitimate rape” is a awkward fluke, back in January of 2011 I wrote about the Akin-Buerkle bill, HR3:

Abortion is, of course, still legal in the U.S., and would continue to be so if HR3 is passed since it only pertains to restrictions on public funding. Its provisions are far reaching enough, though, that, if passed, it could have a vastly more far-reaching impact, even for those of us who rely on private insurance. Since the 86% of insurance plans that offer abortion coverage would no longer be tax-deductible for employers, the number of those plans would almost inevitably dwindle along with affordable access to abortion for the middle classes as well as the poor, who, at first glance, would seem to be most likely to be seriously affected.

It is the rape and incest provisions, however, that offer the best picture of the sclerotic mindset behind this proposed legislation. HR3 would restrict abortion funding for individuals who find themselves pregnant as a result of coercion or intimidation, sexually abused children, and pregnant rape victims who were drugged, given alcohol, or who are mentally impaired. Since HR3 rejects current federal definitions of rape and does not define forcible rape explicitly, it is even possible that all cases of rape could be addressed in such a way as to fall outside the exemptions. As for incest, our GOP representatives evidently think it’s just fine if the victim is over 18.

If Missourians send Todd Akin to the Senate, they’ll only have themselves to blame for the consequences.  

Grab the popcorn; we’ve got a couple months left until November and GOP court jester Todd Akin will evidently be around during the whole time so we can count on a few more big belly laughs between now and then. Akin discussed his decision go on with his campaign, despite his recent “legitimate rape” gaffe. with with fellow right-wing fantasist, Mike Huckabee on Huckabee’s radio program:

According to Talking Points Memo (TPM), Akin also made the following statement:

I also know that people do become pregnant from rape and I didn’t mean to imply that that wasn’t the case, […] It does happen.

So why did he say the opposite? Does he mean that he knows it now, but he didn’t yesterday? TPM also noted that Sunday Akin tried to excuse himself by saying that he meant “forcible” rape, and not “legitimate” rape, from which I suppose we should infer that his apologies are directed at the true believers and consist of no more than his mea culpas for failing to use the requisite code, and thereby embarrassing like-minded, but more discrete members of his party.

Want to talk about chutzpah though? TPM also reports that the supposedly contrite Akin finished his interview not only by invoking 9/11 (a lesson he must have learned during the Bush years), but he even asked GOPers calling on him to step down to donate money to his campaign. You see what I mean about two more months of unending – if mindless – entertainment?

UPDATE:  Hell hath no fury like the wrath of wingers exposed as charlatans. Which is to say, Akin’s SuperPAC support has already started drying up, and the chorus of GOP condemnation is growing steadily mightier. Just about the only person – apart from Dana Loesch – who thinks Akin should stay in the race is Claire McCaskill, who piously observes that national GOP has no right to dictate to Missourians who elected Akin fair and square. Charitable of her, isn’t it.

UPDATE 2: As per TPM, Todd Akin now “stands alone,” no GOP suppot, mega pressure being applied to get him out before tomorrow’s deadline. But would support re-materialize if he sticks in there? Otherwise, GOP loses Senate for sure. Stay tuned …

UPDATE 3: There are rumblings that Akin’s caving, getting ready to quit. Will he or won’t he? The suspense builds … . Possible replacements:

… include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich

Or – wait for it – maybe John Brunner.  Wasn’t he intended to be the anti-Akin in the first place – old,white, male and utterly, safely predictable? The only Republican left out of this list is Sarah Steelman. Wonder why?