Todd Akin's Family, Staff Receiving Threats
The U.S. Senate candidate has been under fire since his weekend comments on "forcible rape," despite an apology for the remarks. His spokesperson confirms the threats are real.
KTVI-TV is reporting that Todd Akin, the Wildwood Republican who has been under intense pressure since his weekend comments on "forcible rape" threatened to derail his U.S. Senate bid against Claire McCaskill, is now fending off more than calls to quit the race.
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Thursday evening, Patch received the following confirmation from Steve Taylor, Akin's district communication director: “I can verify that the Capitol police are working with an outside law enforcement agency regarding threatening contact with our official office. The office of Congressman Akin has received threats of rape of his official staff, family and the Congressman himself along with suggestions that individuals should die.”
KTVI and other outlets say the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are investigating threats of rape and other violence made against Akin's staff and family.
Akin has resisted calls to step aside in the race. Patch will provide more information on the nature of the threats as details become available.
Neal Handler
8:08 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Why can't we give this man a break? He is just a politician!
Neal Handler
9:49 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
We ask questions of our representatives to find out where they stand on issues. That way, we can determine how our vote is best cast. When we discourage them from speaking for fear they may get something wrong, we don't get a clear picture of their platform.
When I watched the notorious interview, Akin was taken out of his comfort zone. He is pro-life. So he was asked, What about rape? (A fair question). Then it fell apart when he used the phrase "legitimate rape." And when confronted, he spoke about how the focus should be on the criminal being punished and not punishing the fertile egg thru abortion.
My point is that we all make errors in our verbal communication. We will discourage our political reps from giving their thoughts on issues if we are too quick to chastize them for their words alone.