Rep. Todd Akin heard a strong message from a prominent religious leader Sunday. Meanwhile, Democrats are using visages of Akin standing next to other Republicans as fodder for election advertisements. Akin has been a polarizing figure in a bizarre race that typifies the Missouri Senate race over the past decade.
What did Akin hear on Sunday?
A church service at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis featured Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill. His 22-minute homily compared Sir Thomas More to that of top government officials who must put religious convictions into every aspect of government work, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The bishop said the private sector and government must work together, not apart, to solve today's issues. Akin, in addition to several other Missouri lawmakers, attended the annual Red Mass to hear Paprocki's words.
Why is Paprocki's sermon important?
Paprocki is a polarizing figure among Catholic leaders. He is leading the charge against the Affordable Care Act's mandate that insurance providers must include free contraception for recipients. Paprocki also stated the Democratic Party platform is "intrinsically evil" for supporting abortion rights and same-sex marriage. A letter to parishioners dated Sept. 23 also stated Paprocki wasn't telling Catholics who to "vote for or against," but urged his flock to "pray very carefully about your vote."
What other religious leaders have backed Akin?
The Washington Post reported Monday morning more than 400 pastors gathered around Akin in a hotel ballroom as he kicked off a bus tour in St. Louis. The candidate knelt down to receive the blessing of the gathered religious leaders. GOP strategist David Lane told the Washington Post that Akin's candidacy is seen as a "battle for the soul of the Republican Party."
How have Democrats used Akin against Republican candidates?
Politico reveals Democrats in states outside Missouri are using Akin's support of fellow Republicans as advertising fodder. Dan Maffei in New York states Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle co-sponsored a bill that would have banned funds for abortions except in cases of forcible rape. A picture of Buerkle, a Republican, standing next to Akin is a prominent feature of the ad. Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., had to back away from the same bill. Lungren's opponent, Democrat Ami Bera, is using female volunteers to call other women to support her cause against candidates similar to Akin who tout issues that affect women.
Are there any signs of who will win the race between Akin and Sen. Claire McCaskill?
The Springfield News-Leader states the Missouri Senate race should still be considered a toss-up. John Danforth's re-election bid in 2000 faced a strong opponent in Mel Carnahan, a popular Democratic governor. Three weeks before the election, Carnahan died in a plane crash south of St. Louis and his widow was appointed to the seat after Carnahan won the election posthumously. Two years later, Republican Jim Talent defeated Jean Carnahan to fill the remainder of the term. In 2006, Sen. Claire McCaskill defeated Talent in a contentious race. The past two races have been close -- mainstream candidates were separated by less than three percentage points in 2006 and 2002.
William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics.
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