Humorless Politics Thread

[Drew D]

Oh my god, if this really sticks in your craw like it does mine, please email letters@newsweek to ask for multiple corrections:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/08/19/niall-ferguson-on-why-barack-obama-needs-to-go.html

And a good takedown of it:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/a-full-factcheck-of-niall-fergusons-very-bad-argument-against-obama/261306/

[cavorting with nudists]

I prank-called his offices this morning. Not really proud of it, but his staff should find a decent human to work for.

Apparently he's going to withdraw, which means someone will step in who believes the same stuff but is cagier about saying it out loud and probably win the seat.  Maybe the left should have used a little more ju-jitsu, like less "You are a noxious turd who has no place in public life" and more "Do tell, Rep. Akin!  Fascinating! Please, tell us more!" right up through November.

[buffcoat]

I prank-called his offices this morning. Not really proud of it, but his staff should find a decent human to work for.

Apparently he's going to withdraw, which means someone will step in who believes the same stuff but is cagier about saying it out loud and probably win the seat.  Maybe the left should have used a little more ju-jitsu, like less "You are a noxious turd who has no place in public life" and more "Do tell, Rep. Akin!  Fascinating! Please, tell us more!" right up through November.

I, too, would rather see him stay in the race.  It's good to see that there IS a limit that the national GOP will set on this issue, I guess.  Henry Aldridge, the guy from NC who said a similar thing in the mid-90s ("the juices don't flow"), didn't have to resign, though he went to his eternal reward (punishment?) not too long afterward.

[Kormod]

I prank-called his offices this morning. Not really proud of it, but his staff should find a decent human to work for.

Please tell me this prank involved Artie Lange/Arnold Schwarzeneggar soundboards.

[Steve of Bloomington]

more "Do tell, Rep. Akin!  Fascinating! Please, tell us more!" right up through November.

I really like this program. Give them the rope to hang themselves and all that. Also I approve of the pranking. What did you do?

[cavorting with nudists]

It wasn't really very funny. I told them I had a daughter who had been raped four years ago & I thought she was faking the depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, so I asked whether since Rep. Akin had so much expertise in the area he could help me figure out whether she'd been "legitimately" or "illegitimately" raped. Probably out of line, but I was pissed.

[Smelodies]

Rumor is that the RINOs are making him withdraw tomorrow. It'll be sad to see such a noble patriot leave the race.

I was hoping he'd be giving the keynote address.

[Kormod]

Rumor is that the RINOs are making him withdraw tomorrow. It'll be sad to see such a noble patriot leave the race.

I was hoping he'd be giving the keynote address.

We still have "Newt University" and an on-stage interaction between Donald Trump and a Barack Obama impersonator to look forward to.

[Kormod]

Looks like he might not drop out after all. Hilarious.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/todd-akin-rape-apology-ad-/1

Amid growing GOP pressure to quit the Missouri Senate race, Rep. Todd Akin has recorded a new TV ad seeking forgiveness for his controversial comments about "legitimate rape."

"Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize," Akin says in the ad. "As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them."

The ad was first reported this morning by Politico. More from Akin's script:

    The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.

Akin, a six-term House member, touched off a firestorm Sunday with his comments to a St. Louis TV station saying pregnancy could be prevented in the case of "legitimate rape" because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

His comments have been widely denounced, from President Obama to GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. The reaction to Akin's rape comments -- and their impact on the battle for power in the U.S. Senate -- dominated the news just a week before Republicans gather in Tampa for their national convention.

Akin won the Senate GOP nomination on Aug. 7 to take on Democrat Claire McCaskill, one of the most vulnerable incumbents in her party. Republicans have high hopes of defeating McCaskill in their bid to claim four seats and control power in the Senate.

But with Akin under fire, party stalwarts are increasing pressure to get him to stand aside by 5 p.m. CT today so that another Republican can take his place on the ballot. If he doesn't withdraw by the Tuesday deadline, then Missouri law says Akin would need a court order to be removed from the ballot and he would have to pay for reprinting of ballots.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has said it will pull $5 million in advertising if Akin stays in. Crossroads GPS, a major GOP super PAC, said it will withdraw from Missouri even though it has already spent millions targeting McCaskill.

[buffcoat]

Well, if he does stay in and the national GOP makes good on their threats to pull all their support, it will be fascinating study in the effect of late money in a statewide election.

[daveB from Oakland]

Akin serves on the House Committee on Science and Technology. For real. Because he knows lots of scientific stuff about science.

http://blogs.plos.org/takeasdirected/2012/08/19/rep-todd-akin-r-mo-serves-on-house-committee-on-science-space-and-technology/

[fonpr]

Akin serves on the House Committee on Science and Technology. For real. Because he knows lots of scientific stuff about science.

http://blogs.plos.org/takeasdirected/2012/08/19/rep-todd-akin-r-mo-serves-on-house-committee-on-science-space-and-technology/

Political satire is obsolete.

[nec13]

Akin has until 5:00 to withdraw from the race.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

[Kormod]

You'll find out sooner than that!

Gov. Mike Huckabee ‏@GovMikeHuckabee

    Todd Akin will return to The Mike Huckabee Radio Show in the next 30 minutes to announce his final decision on if he's staying in the race.

Erpdate:

Gov. Mike Huckabee ‏@GovMikeHuckabee

EXCLUSIVE: Todd Akin announces on my radio show that he will remain in the Missouri Senate Race.

[cavorting with nudists]

Dear RNC, Crossroads, & other groups that have said you won't be sending this turd any funds:

No takebacks!