Todd Akin, the Missouri Senate candidate who believes a woman’s violated body can prevent pregnancy as long as it’s a “legitimate rape,” is not going to drop out of the race.
He won’t do it even though Mitt Romney called upon him to do so yesterday afternoon. He won’t even though every major Republican in his state has recommended it. He won’t do it despite the fact that the big money he expected from Washington Republicans and Super PACs will not materialize.
He won’t do it even though a loss in the Missouri Senate race in November has potentially colossal ramifications for the future of the United States. If Democrats hold the seat because of Akin’s comment and Romney wins the presidency, they may retain sufficient strength in the Senate to prevent the repeal of ObamaCare.
He won’t do it because he only thinks he “misspoke.” Akin began the day with an ad apologizing for what he had done, but that contrition lasted maybe six hours. Then he went on a St. Louis radio program and talked like a victim: “One word, one sentence, one day out of place and all of a sudden the entire establishment turns on you.”
He should quit, but he won’t. And though his words were reprehensible, though his apology was false, though his decision to stay in the race is an act of vainglorious selfishness and though that decision may have catastrophic consequences, Akin is not wrong.
He should be wrong, but he’s not.
A moment’s reflection on the changes in the American political culture over the past 20 years suggests Todd Akin isn’t making the wrong decision for Todd Akin.
For the country, yes.
But not for himself.
First, there’s no going quietly or with dignity any longer. If he falls on his sword, he will be acknowledging his own disgrace — and doing so in a hyperactive media world that offers everything but forgiveness. He will be remembered for nothing save his remark and his ignominious departure. His name will be associated with Democratic liberal glee and conservative Republican embarrassment.
What kind of incentive is perpetual disgrace?
Second, there’s no way to buy him off. Once upon a time, a party power broker could have made Akin some promises. Something would be found for him — some money, some honor in the form of a job, something for his kids.
Now, any such deal would become public in short order, and there would be legal questions raised about bribery and quid pro quos. And hiring Akin in any other political or business capacity would be a problem for anybody who did the hiring, since he is the sole cause of his own radioactivity.
So that’s closed off.
Third, he comes from the culture of conservative victimization. Akin sounds like he thinks that by departing the race, he would be surrendering to his enemy’s superior cultural firepower — and thus be a coward rather than a warrior. That’s why he said yesterday he will “rush to the gunfire.”
In point of fact, he is under attack for expressing an opinion that makes arguing on behalf of pro-life positions more difficult. If abortion-rights advocates are his enemy, he just gave his enemy the most potent weapon they’ve had in a long time.
But he doesn’t understand that.
Finally, he has a shot at winning. Akin is running in a conservative state against the weakest incumbent in the Senate. The first poll taken after his remarks had him tied with his rival.
That shot is a shot in the dark. A week’s harsh light on what he said and that weak support (in a poll weighted toward Republicans) will vanish. He’ll be behind, and he’ll never find a way to catch up.
Especially since Mitt Romney and the entire Republican Party are giving Missouri’s voters a pass on this one. They’re effectively saying they would understand anyone who chose to split the ticket and vote for Romney at the top but not for Akin below.
Still, a guy who thinks raped women have magical contraceptive powers will believe anything he wants to believe.