This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 24, 3012 - In a not-so-subtle jab at GOP leaders, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Todd Akin reaffirmed Friday that he plans to remain in the contest with Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill.
"We're going to be here through the November election," Akin said. "We're going to be here to win."
"Apparently, there are some people who are having trouble understanding our message," Akin said during a brief news conference that -- with questions -- lasted less than 10 minutes.
Akin's announcement wasn't surprising. Not more than an hour earlier, his campaign had emailed the latest in a series of fundraising appeals to supporters.
Soon after Akin's news conference, one of his most prominent backers -- former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee -- participated in a conference call with religious leaders aimed at galvanizing Christian conservatives to back Akin, and to press national Republican leaders to back off. Missouri religious leaders were among the participants, and the listeners.
Akin's declaration sought to quell pressure from top GOP leaders who have tried to force him out since he made a controversial statement -- broadcast last weekend on KTVI (Channel 2) -- that in a "legitimate rape" a woman rarely gets pregnant because her body can prevent it. Akin has since apologized.
Akin's campaign indicated that he and his staff had been beset with offers of "deals," such as rumors of a proposed trade in which he would switch with Ann Wagner, the GOP nominee for his current House seat. Wagner, the former chair of the state Republican Party, would then run against McCaskill.
Other replacements also have been touted.
Said Akin: "There may be some negotiations, but they don't include me."
Akin observed that when he began his candidacy 15 months ago, "the party wasn't supportive" and wanted one of his rivals to win.
Despite being outspent, "when everything ended, we were 6 points ahead."
"I may not be the favorite candidate of some people within the Republican establishment," Akin added. But he noted that he had been the choice of GOP voters on Aug. 7.
"This is an election," he said. "It is not a selection."
Akin said he wanted to focus his campaign on "a matter of principles" and on his differences with McCaskill, not on any disagreements with his own party.
"The America that Claire McCaskill has given us is an America with less freedom, less jobs, more big government, more taxes, the same stalled economy that we've observed the last three-plus years," the six-term congressman said.
"I think that what we have to do is look within our own hearts and stand up for what the principle is, and not the politics. I believe that maybe America has gotten into trouble because we've paid too much attention to politics and not enough attention to principle."
Akin touched only briefly on the threats that his congressional office has reported to federal authorities.
After his brief statement, Akin answered only a handful of questions before departing from the lectern and immediately leaving the meeting room in Chesterfield where the news conference was held.
His campaign manager Perry Akin, his son, said that the congressman would do more press interviews in the coming weeks..
Since the controversy broke, Akin's campaign has said it has raised more than $200,000 from supporters. But that is a fraction of the millions of dollars that Republican allied groups say they are withdrawing unless Akin drops out.
However, Democrats say they expect that the national GOP aid will return as Akin continues to campaign and to stand firm.
