Under the Fedora: Romney Akin and Pinball

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Romney Ryan St. Anselm enterence 006

I’m writing today’s Under the Fedora at Funspot the Largest Arcade in the world. I came up here with my youngest to relax and celebrate his new job. The most relaxing thing I know is pinball but 4 hours of it can be murder on the hands.

 

The only news that seems to be on the table today is Todd Akin and his gaffe concerning pregnancy. Akin’s story has dominated the news for several days during which the right was in dead panic and the left is positively drooling.

As I’ve already written the Akin situation contains traps for both the right and the left. The difference? The traps for the right are generally short term and the traps for the left are more of a long term nature.

I can’t see either side avoiding them since both sets of traps are so well suited to their natures.

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This single most amazing thing of the entire Akin business, at the same time the left is getting ready to go all out, all Akin all the time, their national convention features Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker.

I wonder if anyone has asked “Juanita Broaddrick” for comment?

Electorally it would have been better if Akin left the race but as the Lonely Conservative said:

There’s no fixing stupid

I’m not all that comfortable removing a candidate who won a primary based on a gaffe but it will be neat trick to see Akin try to pull this off without national support, but people seem to forget that none of the conditions that put both Barack Obama and Claire McCaskill on the endangered list have changed. It remains to be seen if the people in Missouri will decide that a gaffe already apologized for is as bad as Claire McCaskill’s record.

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BTW have you ever noticed that apologies are never accepted if they come from Republicans. If you are a democrat you can Sexually Harass interns in the White House and remain president, You can have your boyfriend run a call service from your apartment and remain in congress and you can avoid paying the taxes you owe become treasury secretary.

The letter D after your name apparently is stronger that the most expensive indulgence that the Catholic church ever sold.

Mitt Romney held his 100th Town meeting at St. Anselm College on Monday. I was credentialed for the event and got some interesting interviews both before

And after.

As a rule events of this type are stage managed to a large degree but there was one moment that really bodes well for Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan:

Cheryl was an Obama voter, a former teacher who had never gone to a Romney event before. She left as a Romney voter. I asked her per, Gov Romney’s challenge, what she would say to a fellow 2008 Obama voter to persuade them to change their vote her answer was telling:

“All they have to do is listen carefully, there is so much negativity and there is no message in negativity“

Her dissatisfaction, more than any successfully staged event is the greatest danger to the election prospects of this administration.

I suspect this is being repeated a lot more often than people think.

This doesn’t bode well for the President, but the comic reaction when word passed through the press area that the president spontaneously showed up for the daily press briefing was much more telling. One gentleman joked about the people called on: First question Inside Edition etc. etc etc.

They might vote for him, but I suspect it will not be out of respect.

Three other St. Anselm notes: I met Ambassador Joe Patrone for the first time. I had no idea who he was and only approached him because he had one of the most stylish fedora’s I ever saw.

One really gets the seriousness of a “presidential” event when you see members of the Secret service on the roof of a building keeping watch.

The last Romney event I showed up for a reporter’s power supply blew up, the secret service was there faster than you can say, “South American Call Girl”.

One of the volunteers at the event was a fellow named Peter who sat with me, Stacy McCain and Mike Rogers of Granite Grok at the bar earlier this year after the National Review debate event in Manchester. He gave his take on things along with some of the background work that volunteers had to go through

It’s the volunteers who do the heavy lifting simply to help their candidate win. They never seem to get the proper credit so if you were a worker at St. Anselm’s let me say. Thanks, great job!

Oh and you can find the Q & A from the Romney Ryan event here.

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The Hollywood reports tells us that the anti-Obama documentary 2016 is raising eyebrows due to its popularity:

It’s already the No. 12 political documentary of all time — a market that Michael Moore has cornered — as well as the No. 2 conservative documentary after Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed ($7.7 million).

Hmmm large crowds at an anti-Obama documentary, Large crowds at Mitt Romney events, large crowds at Chick-Fil-A.

Ya think the American people might be trying to tell us something?

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Oh and was there anything more lame that the Obama team trying to say to the NYT that they are drawing small crowds on purpose. Talk about channeling Pee-Wee Herman:

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A lot of people are snarking at Melky Cabrera for making a fake web page for a fake topical cream in order to avoid being caught using performance enhancing drugs.

They are surprised he tried it, I’m not. His salary for 2012 is $6,000,000 based on a 162 game schedule. A fifty game suspension costs him $1.848 Million dollars.

Would you fake a web page to avoid losing that kind of money?

“But DaTechGuy” you might say, “Why not just not use the drugs and keep the whole six mil?” Well perhaps if it wasn’t for the drugs the Giants wouldn’t’ think he was worth six million.

People forget the kind of money that was, and is at stake in sports. These men are unlikely to make anything near this kind of dough in their lives again and a single injury means it’s all over. If someone told you, take this pill and you will make millions it would take a man of great character to refuse it.

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One of the things you notice about Funspot is just how many different things there are to do from the old arcade games, to pinball, to Bowling (tenpin & candlepin) to mini golf to slots (all for tickets). It’s a very family orientated place as you might expect from a business that has been around since 1964.

One thing that’s slightly older than Funspot is Dr. Who. The latest season is starting in a week on BBC and BBC America.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Dr. Who fan, but I think the decision to split the season in the way they did has really dropped my interest in the new series. If that’s happening to me I’ll bet happening to a lot of other Dr. Who fans.

Of course the Big Finish series still excites me and I can’t wait for the 2nd Tom Baker season featuring Mary Tamm as the first Romana. They finished recording the season before she died last month.

It’s amazing how Tom Baker seems to outlast just about everyone.

USA today reports yet another fake hate crime

A former University of Nebraska women’s basketball star faked an attack in which she allegedly carved anti-gay slurs into her skin because she felt it would spark change, police said Tuesday.

I have nothing but contempt for this woman, for her cause she was willing to tar people as violent, even worse what if the police had picked up a person, that man’s live would have been over and she would have been the toast of the town.

 

Something sweet to close, after my appearance on WROL’s Out With Joe this Sunday we stopped for supper. The desert tray had something amazing.

Believe it or not I actually managed to resist Chocolate Cannoli cake.

#MOSen: Establishment and Grassroots Conservatives Start Rallying Around Ann Wagner to Replace Akin

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From the Washington Times:

Could Missouri Republican Ann Wagner be the answer that GOP’ers are looking for? Although the first deadline passed for embattled Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri Republican, to withdraw from his U.S. Senate race against Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, without a court order and a fine, grassroots and Washington D.C. establishment conservatives are beginning to rally behind Ann Wagner.

She is currently running for Mr. Akin’s 2nd Congressional district seat and is said to have supporters asking her to run against McCaskill should Akin leave the Missouri Senate race before the next September deadline passes. According to her bio page on her campaign website for the 2nd district:

At an early age, Ann started working in the family business, a retail carpet store called Carpetime in Manchester. Working beside her parents she learned the value of a dollar, a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, and that government ought not be in the way and on the backs of hard-working Americans trying to make a living.

Ann then took her firsthand experience to the University of Missouri-Columbia and received her BSBA from the Business School with an emphasis in Logistics.  After college, Ann went to work in the private sector and held management positions at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City and Ralston Purina in St. Louis.

Ann’s most important jobs, however, have always been as a wife and mother. Ann and Ray have three children: Raymond, a recent West Point graduate stationed at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne; Stephen, a senior at Washington University in St. Louis; and Mary Ruth, a high school senior at Ursuline Academy.

Ann Wagner’s public service began at the grassroots level. She served for nine years as a local committeewoman in Lafayette Township and went on to Chair the Missouri Republican Party delivering historic Republican gains. She also served as Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee during the first term of President George W. Bush.

In 2005, following nomination by President Bush and confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Ann was sworn in as the 19th U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She served as U.S. Ambassador for four years before returning to her home in Ballwin, Missouri.

#NVSen: New Report Highlights Latest Evidence Of Obama-Berkley’s Failed Economic Policies

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Years Of Reckless Spending Now Driving Country Off A Fiscal Cliff

 

WASHINGTON – Last month the top Senate Democrat leaders who are overseeing Shelley Berkley’s campaign for Senate made clear that they were willing to allow the country to go over a “fiscal cliff” unless their demands for massive tax hikes were met.

 

But today, a new report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) made clear that as a result of the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend policies, we are already headed in that direction.  The report shows that the economy would go into a recession and unemployment would increase if the Democrats’ proposed small business tax hike and massive defense cuts are put into effect.

 

“Today’s report is just the latest evidence that the failed economic policies trumpeted by Shelley Berkley and President Obama are driving our country over a fiscal cliff,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.  “From the reckless spending to the massive expansion of government in ObamaCare, Shelley Berkley has marched in virtual lockstep with President Obama and their failed policies are hurting Nevadans.

 

“Under the Obama-Reid-Berkley economy, we’ve had 43 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent, a skyrocketing debt that’s now reached almost $16 trillion, and four straight years of trillion dollar deficits.  This report is yet another big wake-up call that Nevada simply can’t afford four more years of Obama and Berkley’s failed economic policies,” Wilcox concluded.

 

BACKGROUND….

 

CBO Projects ‘Significant Recession,’ ‘Jobless Rate Rising’

NATIONAL JOURNAL: “CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession” (“CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession,” National Journal, 8/22/12)

 

NEW YORK TIMES: “…if Congress takes no action to stave off tax increases due and automatic budget cuts scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, the economy could fall into a recession, with total output shrinking and the jobless rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of 2013… Fears about tax increases and spending cuts — the ‘fiscal tightening’ — are depressing economic growth…” (“Report Sees Risk Of Recession If Budget Stalemate Persists,” The New York Times, 8/22/12)

 

WASHINGTON POST: “The nation would be plunged into a significant recession during the first half of next year if Congress fails to avert nearly $500 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts set to hit in January…” (“Significant Recession Imminent If Congress Doesn’t Act On Fiscal Cliff: CBO Report,” The Washington Post, 8/22/12)

 

REUTERS: “…even worse economic damage than previously thought if Washington fails to come up with a solution, Congress’ budget referee said on Wednesday.” (“U.S. CBO Sees Deeper ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Recession Next Year,” Reuters, 8/22/12)

 

AP: “… fresh, dire projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” (“Analysts: Recession Likely Without Budget Accord,” AP, 8/22/12)

 

CBO: “…a recession, with real GDP declining by 0.5 percent between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2013 and the unemployment rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of calendar year 2013.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022, Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

Under Senate Democrats’ We Are Now Facing A Fourth Straight Year Of Trillion Dollar Deficits

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Is Predicting The Fourth Straight Deficit To Exceed $1 Trillion At $1.1 Trillion. “Congress’ nonpartisan budget analysts are projecting a $1.1 trillion federal deficit for 2012, the fourth straight year the government’s shortfall will exceed $1 trillion.” (“Analysts Project $1.1T Federal Deficit This Year,” The Associated Press, 8/22/12)

  • CBO: “The Federal Budget Deficit For Fiscal Year 2012 … Will Total $1.1 Trillion … Marking The Fourth Year In A Row With A Deficit Of More Than $1 Trillion.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,” Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

CBO: “The Amount Of Federal Debt Held By The Public Has Skyrocketed In The Past Few Years, Rising From 40 Percent Of GDP At The End Of 2008 To An Estimated 73 Percent By The End Of This Year.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,”Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

  • According To The CBO, Federal Debt Held By The Public Will Reach The Highest Levels Since The 1950s. “Federal debt held by the public will reach 73 percent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year-the highest level since 1950 and about twice the 36 percent of GDP that it measured at the end of 2007, before the financial crisis and recent recession.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,” Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

 

Senate Democrats’ Plan —  ‘Risk Racing Over The Fiscal Cliff’

 

“…Democratic Senator Patty Murray said her party is willing to risk racing over the fiscal cliff and into financial chaos in 2013.” (“US Lawmakers Head Home, Severe Challenges Loom,” AFP, 8/4/12)

 

“Democrats say they are prepared to go over the so-called fiscal cliff at the end of the year …” (“Democrats Risk Fiscal Cliff By Targeting Top Earners’ Break,” Bloomberg News, 7/10/12)

 

  • “Democrats have made clear that they are ready to allow tax rates to rise and automatic cuts to kick in for both defense and domestic programs… Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who outlined the Democratic strategy in a speech this month, put the GOP on notice that her party would rather plunge off the fiscal cliff than extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. White House aides pointedly backed Murray’s threat on Tuesday.” (“Democrats Waxing Tough On Fiscal Cliff,” National Journal, 7/25/12)

 

 

 

  • SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Q: “Do you agree with Senator Murray that if you do not get a balanced deal, you’ll fight this into 2013?” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “…Patty Murray knows what she’s talking about.” (Sen. Reid, Press Briefing, 7/17/12)

 

Fiscal Cliff: Dem Plans Collide With CBO Projections…”Significant Recession,” “Jobless Rate Rising”

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Will Democrats Dial Back Their Plan To ‘Plunge Off The Fiscal Cliff’ As CBO Turns Up The Heat On Consequences?

 

CBO Projects ‘Significant Recession,’ ‘Jobless Rate Rising’

 

NATIONAL JOURNAL: “CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession” (“CBO: Cliff Would Cause Recession,” National Journal, 8/22/12)

 

NEW YORK TIMES: “…if Congress takes no action to stave off tax increases due and automatic budget cuts scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, the economy could fall into a recession, with total output shrinking and the jobless rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of 2013… Fears about tax increases and spending cuts — the ‘fiscal tightening’ — are depressing economic growth…” (“Report Sees Risk Of Recession If Budget Stalemate Persists,” The New York Times, 8/22/12)

 

WASHINGTON POST: “The nation would be plunged into a significant recession during the first half of next year if Congress fails to avert nearly $500 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts set to hit in January…” (“Significant Recession Imminent If Congress Doesn’t Act On Fiscal Cliff: CBO Report,” The Washington Post, 8/22/12)

 

REUTERS: “…even worse economic damage than previously thought if Washington fails to come up with a solution, Congress’ budget referee said on Wednesday.” (“U.S. CBO Sees Deeper ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Recession Next Year,” Reuters, 8/22/12)

 

AP: “… fresh, dire projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” (“Analysts: Recession Likely Without Budget Accord,” AP, 8/22/12)

 

CBO: “…a recession, with real GDP declining by 0.5 percent between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2013 and the unemployment rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of calendar year 2013.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022, Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

 

Dem Plan: ‘Risk Racing Over The Fiscal Cliff’

 

“…Democratic Senator Patty Murray said her party is willing to risk racing over the fiscal cliff and into financial chaos in 2013.” (“US Lawmakers Head Home, Severe Challenges Loom,” AFP, 8/4/12)

 

“Democrats say they are prepared to go over the so-called fiscal cliff at the end of the year …” (“Democrats Risk Fiscal Cliff By Targeting Top Earners’ Break,” Bloomberg News, 7/10/12)

 

“Democrats have made clear that they are ready to allow tax rates to rise and automatic cuts to kick in for both defense and domestic programs… Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who outlined the Democratic strategy in a speech this month, put the GOP on notice that her party would rather plunge off the fiscal cliff than extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. White House aides pointedly backed Murray’s threat on Tuesday.” (“Democrats Waxing Tough On Fiscal Cliff,” National Journal, 7/25/12)

 

·         SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): “So if we can’t get a good deal… then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013… our country is going to have to face the consequences…” (Sen. Murray, Remarks At The Brookings Institute, 7/16/12)

 

·         SEN. MARK BEGICH (D-AK): “There are more people today than before that say let this all just expire out.” (“Geithner Meets Murray Amid Fears Lawmakers Might Not Stop Fiscal Cliff,” The Hill, 8/2/12)

 

·         SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Q: “Do you agree with Senator Murray that if you do not get a balanced deal, you’ll fight this into 2013?” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “…Patty Murray knows what she’s talking about.” (Sen. Reid, Press Briefing, 7/17/12)

#NVSen Video: Tell Shelley Berkley to Put Hardworking Nevada Taxpayers First

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Americans for Prosperity, is launching an ad campaign directed at five Democratic Senate candidates, the group announced Wednesday. AFP is putting $2.7 million behind the new TV ads, which are meant to highlight the “big-government spending policies” of Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, Rep. Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Rep. Martin Heinrich in New Mexico, Rep. Shelley Berkley in Nevada and former Gov.Tim Kaine in Virginia.

Tell Shelley Berkley: Put hardworking Nevada taxpayers first. Stop the wasteful spending. Call 702.220.9823.

#CTSen: McMahon (R) 49%, Murphy (D) 46%

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Election 2012: Connecticut Senate: McMahon (R) 49%, Murphy (D) 46%

From Rasmussen Reports:

Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon holds a narrow lead over Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy in Rasmussen Reports’ first look at Connecticut’s U.S. Senate race.

A new telephone survey of Likely Voters in Connecticut shows McMahon with 49% of the vote to Murphy’s 46%.  One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This Connecticut survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on August 21, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

UNCOVERED: $52,000 “Patton” Parody Video from Obama Veterans Affairs Department; GSA Part Deux?

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On August 13, 2012 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki requesting the following uncovered video and any documents related to it. This taxpayer-funded video was shown at two Veterans Affairs conferences held in Orlando, Florida in 2011 and display an eerie similarity to the now infamous 2010 GSA scandal.

Video originally obtained by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: http://veterans.house.gov/

Chairman Darrell Issa’s full letter to Secretary Eric Shinseki:

2012-08-13-DEI-to-Shinseki-re-conference-spending

#NVSen: Obama, Berkley Still Won’t Talk Jobs, Economy?

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Berkley Stops Avoiding Obama, But Still Avoids Top Issue When Appearing With POTUS Today


(Las Vegas, NV) – Seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has been avoiding President Obama for months, but today she is finally admitting she has stood lockstep with him on every single harmful policy. However, Congresswoman Berkley still won’t actually talk about jobs, even though yesterday she said she’s just now focusing “like a laser” on creating them.

 

“Does focusing ‘like a laser’ on creating jobs mean you stand on stage with the President of the United States and avoid talking about the most important issue of the day? Nevadans just want to know if Shelley Berkley is going to continue to stand with President Obama and his trillion dollar stimulus, ObamaCare and bailouts. It sure seems like if you’re ‘focused like a laser’ on creating jobs, you might actually have to talk about them,” said Chandler Smith, spokeswoman for Heller for Senate.

 

·         Shelley Berkley sent $700 billion to bail out Wall Street, including almost $80 billion for Detroit, when Nevada was losing jobs. (H.R. 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, 110th Congress; U.S. Government Accountability Office Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance,“Continued Attention Needed to Ensure the Transparency and Accountability of Ongoing Programs,” July 21, 2010)

 

Is that focused like a laser?

 

  • In 2009, Shelley Berkley promised that the trillion dollar stimulus would be responsible for “creating or saving 34,000 jobs over the next two years.” Nevada has since then lost 62,000 jobs. (Press Release, “Economic Recovery Package Aims To Create Jobs, Spur Economic Growth,” Office of Rep. Shelley Berkley, Feb. 19, 2009)

 

Would you say that focus is laser sharp?

 

  • Shelley Berkley continues to stand behind ObamaCare, which is forcing one in eight small businesses to either terminate their plan or notify employees it is going to be eliminated. (“Some Small Businesses Say Health Insurers Are Dropping Their Coverage, Kaiser Health News, July 25, 2011)

 

How exactly is she creating jobs again?

 

 

So, according to Shelley Berkley, raising taxes on businesses during one of the deepest recessions in history is “focused like a laser?”

#MOSen Update: Akin Has Decided He Is More Important Than The Cause

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 In Missouri, you’ve all seen the stories the last 48 hours so not much to add but Politico’s Mike Allen and CNN’s Dana Bash have the latest this morning. 

SHOT….

  • @ToddAkin  I apologized but the liberal media is trying to make me drop out. Please stand w/ me tonight by signing my petition

CHASER…

Sarah Palin tells Greta Van Susteren on Fox News’ “On the Record”: “I’m suggesting that he get out.” YouTube http://bit.ly/NklGhv

Limbaugh says Akin must put nation’s future first

Hannity tells Akin he’s ruining everything

Mark Levin: Akin Has Decided He Is More Important Than The Cause

 

NOTE: NRSC TO AKIN: YOU’RE BLOWING OUR SHOT AT ACA REPEAL – In one of the great many efforts to shove Akin aside yesterday, National Republicans accused him of jeopardizing their chances to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And they have good reason to worry, as the fate of the health care law depends which party wins the White House and controls Congress, and therefore on the defeat of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Democrat in the Senate. Without beating her, the odds are slim of Republicans winning enough seats to be able to repeal big chunks of the health care law with a simple majority through the filibuster-proof reconciliation process. “By staying in this race, Congressman Akin is putting at great risk many of the issues that he and others in the Republican Party are fighting for, including the repeal of Obamacare,” Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement. The POLITICO story: http://politi.co/ONWfEY

Akin defies the GOP for now – NRSC says he’s blowing their shot at ACA repeal – Republican platform embraces outlines of Romney-Ryan Medicare plan

From Politico:

AKIN DEFIES THE GOP FOR NOW — The deadline for Rep. Todd Akin to easily back out of the Missouri Senate race came and went yesterday, and Akin held off the full force of his own party attempting to get him out of the way. Despite direct appeals from Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, a host of Show-Me state Republicans and national party leaders and fundraisers, Akin doubled down on his efforts to weather the storm over his rape comments. Now it becomes much harder for Akin to back down. He’d have to petition a court to let him out by Sept. 25, and after that, his name is on the ballot for good. The POLITICO story: http://politi.co/NeyU5e

NRSC TO AKIN: YOU’RE BLOWING OUR SHOT AT ACA REPEAL – In one of the great many efforts to shove Akin aside yesterday, National Republicans accused him of jeopardizing their chances to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And they have good reason to worry, as the fate of the health care law depends which party wins the White House and controls Congress, and therefore on the defeat of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill is widely viewed as the most vulnerable Democrat in the Senate. Without beating her, the odds are slim of Republicans winning enough seats to be able to repeal big chunks of the health care law with a simple majority through the filibuster-proof reconciliation process. “By staying in this race, Congressman Akin is putting at great risk many of the issues that he and others in the Republican Party are fighting for, including the repeal of Obamacare,” Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement. The POLITICO story: http://politi.co/ONWfEY

Nancy Pelosi thinks Paul Ryan candidacy will make her Speaker again

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From the Houston Chronicle:

No one knows how to play Medi-scare better than House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Even before Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan to be his veep, the former Speaker from San Francisco was using the Ryan budget as the key to her “Drive for 25,” the net number of House seats Democrats need to regain control of the House and make Pelosi House Speaker again.

Until now, that’s been a long shot bid. But GOP strategists worry that Ryan will so unsettle tight House races that if Democrats don’t make 25 this year, they’ll be in spitting distance for 2014. That would make a potential Pelosi retirement all the more unlikely.