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Akin highlights Ryan praise - not endorsement - for his U.S. Senate quest

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 10, 2011 - U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Town and Country, is highlighting his support from some of the House's most prominent fiscal conservatives -- including the chairman of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Paul Ryan, who has become a lightning rod for such cost-cutting ideas as changing Medicare into a type of voucher program.

Akin's campaign sent out a release this afternoon featuring strong praise from Ryan and others for Akin's budget-cutting prowess, and for his bid for the U.S. Senate. He is among three Missouri Republicans seeking to oust U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

Ryan is quoted as calling Akin "a great asset to the House Budget Committee. His principled approach to fiscal responsibility is exactly the kind of leadership America needs and I appreciate his hard work."

But such kind words aren't an endorsement, even though Akin's release left that impression -- and his political director, Rachel Hassani, tweeted mid-afternoon that Ryan had indeed endorsed her boss. ("@ToddAkin just announced endorsements from @RepPaulRyan and @PeteSessions on @MarkReardonKMOX show!")

Ryan's staff told the national news site Politico that the Wisconsin congressman's comments should not be interpreted as an endorsement of his candidacy.

The comments from Ryan's camp then touched off a flurry of Twitter traffic Wednesday night -- some tweaking Akin -- about the confusion, including from radio host Mark Reardon. Democrats, political web sitesand a progressive blog site also chimed in.

John Hancock, spokesman for Akin rival John Brunner, also rubbed in a little salt. "We will never attempt to mislead the members of the media by claiming endorsements that do not exist," Hancock said.

Akin's staff had yet to return phone calls from the Beacon Wednesday night. 

Other compliments came from Rep. Pete Sessions, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

"Todd Akin never backs down from a fight. He is reliable and consistent. It's that kind of principled leadership that is so desperately needed in the U.S. Senate. He has my full support." Said Sessions.

As for Jordan: "Todd Akin is one of the conservative leaders you can count on to always do the right thing, even when under pressure from political leaders in either party. He stands true to his principles, and he has the commonsense approach that we need in the United States Senate."

Akin's aim appeared to be, in part, to outflank his GOP rivals, state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Brunner, when it comes to big-name conservative credentials.

Steelman discounted the endorsements from Ryan and others, telling the news site Politico that such support reflected "typical Washington D. C. 'You scratch my back and I will scratch yours.' "

The national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also has taken note of the Ryan praise, and hints that Democrats will be promoting his kind words as well -- but as a verbal club to attack Akin as unfriendly to the elderly.

The endorsement mixup could give the Democrats even more ammunition.

Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.