Politics & Government

Former Congressman Todd Akin Attempts to Uplift St. Louis County Conservatives

Akin spoke to an area Republican club Thursday night about the past and future of the party.

Members of the North County Republican Club got a chance to hear from former U.S. Senate candidate and Congressman Todd Akin, who has kept a low profile since this past November election, Thursday night at Yacovelli’s in Florissant.

Akin kept it light-hearted and inspiring with the crowd of more than 50 attendees and kept the spotlight on the Republican Party.

“Just don’t ask me to use the word ‘legitimate,’ I might get in trouble,” he told the crowd in his introduction to the crowd.

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Akin is best known for last August making a statement to Charles Jaco of Fox 2 News’ Jaco Report about “legitimate rape.” He lost to U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in November.

He used the 45-minute speech to try and fire up the Republican Club in bringing more conservatives to the table of politics in upcoming elections for the sake of the party and by reflecting on the problems of the past general election.

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“What does this election mean?” he asked the audience. “What does it mean to us?”

During the talk, he discussed topics such as not knowing the rules for getting into the U.S. Senate and the successes of past conservative presidents and legislators. He also did a question-and-answer session with the audience.

David Blanke, Lewis and Clark Township Committeeman, invited Akin to the club’s monthly meeting since he had not spoken in public much and to show their support of him.

“I thought it was a clear, conservative message,” Blanke said about the speech. “He’ll end up someplace real helpful.”

The Republican leader spoke to Leisa Zigman of KSDK this past April about the possibility of running again in the near future, and while he didn’t make a clear prediction on his political future, he did address it a little bit during his address.

“I love teaching and speaking,” Akin said.

He said while his not sure of his direction he feels confident that the Lord will guide him to a new path.

Akin said the opportunity to speak to the Republican Club was a great time to reconnect with friends and really get them fired up to help with the push of more conservatives in the future.


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