If anyone in the Missouri Senate race reserved the right to sport a bruised ego, it would have been Sarah Steelman.  From the early days to the weeks closing the primary, Steelman led Akin in all projection polls and held a much higher lead over McCaskill as well.  Further, with her record of reform and proven resolve, she earned the coveted endorsement of Sarah Palin.

But Steelman didn’t take anything for granted.  For months, she continued hitting the pavement to meet Missouri voters one by one.  She campaigned honorably and the votes she received proved she earned strong support.

Nevertheless, she stood humbly before a crowd in her hometown pizzeria the night of the Missouri primary.  She thanked her supporters.  She then called Todd Akin to concede the race at about 10PM.  This was before the Associated Press had actually called the race for Akin and also before John Brunner called to concede, too.

Despite being outspent by Brunner and McCaskill in the final days of the primary (which Akin benefited from), she offered her full support to the winner and quietly went home.

Sarah Palin congratulated Akin and we here at C4P dusted ourselves off and moved forward, too.

That’s why it’s utterly preposterous for Mike Huckabee now to suggest conservatives have left Akin “behind on the political battlefield, wounded and bleeding” especially when it was Akin himself who detonated the verbal bomb.  It’s also galling for Akin to say:

“This is not about me. It’s not about my ego, it’s about the voters of the state of Missouri” who chose him as the nominee in this summer’s primary, he said on NBC’s “Today” show as he explained why he had rejected pleas from party leaders to quit the race. The choice of a candidate should be made by voters, not “party bosses,” he said.

[...]

Akin said he had rejected the suggestion to quit because his quest for the Senate is “about trying to do the right thing and standing on principle.” Among those principles, he said, was being “pro-life.”

It’s also preposterous for other supporters of his on Twitter and in the world of punditry to suggest that conservatives are behaving no better than Democrats by asking him to step aside for his country.

When Alan Grayson during health care debates said Republicans wanted the sick and elderly to “die quickly” during a rant on the House floor, how many Democrats came forth to denounce him?  That’s the difference…..conservatives act on principle, Democrats don’t.

But despite attempting to bat for the right side, Akin’s rhetoric missed the mark and alienated independents evidenced by the Rasmussen poll just released.  It was unfortunate, but the damage is done and it’s just as irreversible as anything Grayson has said.

But instead of following the graceful lead of Steelman and her supporters, Akin and his believe it’s time for bruised-ego-politics in lieu of cooperation.

As we all know, Mary Beth got the ball rolling for Todd Akin to hopefully resign by the deadline on Tuesday. It obviously didn’t happen.

To say we must be relentless in pressuring him to step down is an understatement.  It doesn’t matter that we have to further deal with the courts in Missouri led by Democrats to grant it. It doesn’t matter that we have to rely on the GOP insiders in Missouri to give us a candidate who’s worthy.

Holding onto positions of conservatism are admirable: they include pro-life, pro-traditional family, strong second amendment rights, and fiscal issues. But passion should not lead us to sound like extremists.

Voters like conservatives, not extremists.

Nevertheless, Akin can still withdraw to regain some dignity.   He can encourage the GOP decision-makers within the state to consider Sarah Steelman who’s been tried and tested over the years. She’s a strong conservative, she has a strong record, and she’s an economist. We need those in the United States Senate now more than ever before.  We also need strong and common sense women who understand how to be tough when it’s needed but who can be sensitive and caring all at the same time in retaining their grace which will be needed to beat Claire McCaskill.

But I fear that in lieu of giving the same grace to a fine candidate like Sarah Steelman, the bruised egos of Todd Akin and his accompanying supporters will continue to deny the reality of the mess and compromising position he created.

Steelman gave Akin her support and grace when she lost.  It’s time for him to regard the future of his country and return the favor.

***Update***

Since there are some questions in the comments about the “loser law” I am posting this courtesy of Free Republic:

MISSOURI SEC OF STATE WEBSITE

 

To help clear up some of the confusion, I spoke this morning with the elections division of the sec of state office in Missouri.

 

Regarding the “sore loser law” – no candidate who lost in the primary may run a write-in campaign. Neither John Brunner nor Sarah Steelman could mount a write-in campaign.

 

Regarding replacing Todd Akin if he withdraws – the Republican Central Committee will choose the replacement. That replacement can be someone who lost in the primary. So Steelman or Brunner could still end up as the candidate. Akin would have to withdraw and get a court order by Sept. 25.

 

REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE WEBSITE

 

MISSOURI JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE

In the State of Missouri the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee promotes the election of outstanding qualified Republican leaders dedicated to the Constitution, a strong, limited government. We encourage personal integrity and responsibility, equal opportunity for all, and the protection of the rights of citizens and visitors who are endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights including Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

To Contact Jefferson County Republican Central Committee Members:

(The Committee generally meets the 4th Tuesday each month, at the Jefferson County Administration Center, 729 Maple Street, Hillsboro, Missouri. Meetings are open to the public.)

CHAIRMAN: Janet Engelbach 636-475-6328 VICE-CHAIRMAN: Bruce Valle 636-208-3390 SECRETARY: David Houser 636-797-2670 TREASURER: Leslie Hanson, 314-605-9897

TOWNSHIP:

Committee membership, phone

ARNOLD:

Bob Boyer, 636-465-2333

BIG RIVER:

Al Gross, 636-285-3131 Debbie Dunnegan, 314-650-3386

CENTRAL:

Roger Pryor, 636-789-9903 Mary Ann Fieser-Pryor, 636-789-9903

IMPERIAL:

Dwight Vermette, 636-464-8309 Diane Berberich, 636-296-2525

JOACHIM:

George Engelbach , 636-475-6328 Janet Engelbach, 636-475-6328

MERAMEC:

Kenneth Hollenberg, 636-671-0375 Linda Van de Riet, 314-791-2525

PLATTIN:

David Courtway, 636-933-0882 Terri Kreitler, 314-578-7861

RIVERVIEW:

Gerald Bollinger, 636-937-3512

ROCK:

Mel Hanson, 314-605-9897 Angela Alter-Wren, 636-677-7177

VALLE:

Bruce Valle, 636-208-3390 Cindy Valle, 636-208-3391

WINDSOR:

Dan Smith, 636-464-0904 Denise Lutes, 636-282-3108