Akin's gaffe repels even more women voters
Yael T. AbouhalkahU.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill responded Friday to opponent Todd Akin’s latest loose-lipped bid to lose the support of even more women voters in Missouri.
The Republican U.S. Senate candidate insulted McCaskill on Thursday, drawing statewide and some national ridicule as a result.
Wind the tape:
“I think we have a very clear path to victory, and apparently Claire McCaskill thinks we do, too, because she was very aggressive at the debate, which was quite different than it was when she ran against Jim Talent,” Akin said at a news conference in Jefferson City. “She had a confidence and was much more ladylike (in 2006), but in the debate on Friday she came out swinging, and I think that’s because she feels threatened.”
Ah, yes, “ladylike,” as in demur, knows her place.
On Friday, McCaskill said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program:
“I don’t know exactly what his accusation that I’m not ladylike means. I think the debate was tough for Todd because I went through the list of his very, very extreme positions and I think he wasn’t prepared to answer some of that.”
Yes, apparently, a woman who goes toe to toe with Akin - and then clearly wins the debate with specific answers on her opponent’s very extreme views - should not be trusted.
Here’s a recap of what McCaskill said Friday morning on “Morning Joe.”
She pointed out once again how extreme Akin is, describing his as part of a fringe group that will never compromise even in the best interests of the country.
Oh, and she wants to capitalize on Akin’s remarks, requesting donations on her “ladylikeness” or not.
Akin, of course, has had all kinds of problem with women after his asinine “legitimate rape” comment of mid-August.
His “ladylike” remark won’t help him win back any of that lost support.
By now, McCaskill has to just hope that Akin keeps talking into the microphone, especially as his campaign implodes over its constant belittling of women.
Mark Hastert
7 months, 4 weeks agoMaybe Akin was a bit condescending with his “lady” comments. If it was a man he’d have described him as strong and aggressive but it’s far from “legitimate rape”. This is more emblematic of the outdated view that women are something less than men.
George Hunsucker
Northland
7 months, 4 weeks agoair clarie: porkulus=YES, zerocare=YES, debt limit expansions=YES, Supreme Court Justice nominations=YES.
“I have no better friend that air claire”—the big 0
Not voting MO values, not doing the job we sent her there to do, time to “let her go”….
Mark Hastert
7 months, 4 weeks ago“OBAMA and McCaskill are saddling your children with MASSIVE DEBT while BILLIONAIRES (BIG time OBAMA supporters) like George Sorros and Warren Buffet live HIGH off the HOG with your TAX dollars!! That’s right!! CORPORAT WELFARE via OBAMA’S stimulus that McCaskill VOTED for!!!”
Gee Brass, (may I call you Brass? since we’re supposed to be posting in our real names because we’re not ashamed of what we say?) There are plenty of conservative billionaires too and plenty of conservatives that have voted for the expenditures you’re railing against. The fact is much of our problems stem from ten years of failed tax cuts, two unfunded wars (financed off the books during the Bush administration), and a huge unfunded Medicare drug benefit all supported by Republicans. So why don’t you “take personal responsibility for your lives” and own up to your party’s role in this mess too.
With a little cooperation during President Obama’s next term we can address these issues constructively.
Phil Cardarella
7 months, 3 weeks agoGuys like Akin work under a real disadvantage in THIS century. Youd think he might have noticed something when Sarah Steelmen cleaned his clock — but she had to do it in a three-way — and the GOP loved his brand of crazy.
As anyone from KC could have told him, ever since she was a terrific trial prosecutor, Claire is a terrific, talented opponent.
Todd must be surprised that “girls” can play tough — and that the toughness of modern women in no way detracts from their status as a “lady”.