It appears the tables have turned in Missouri following Rep. Todd Akin’s comments regarding rape and the alleged way a female body reacts to the trauma of a violent rape. Akin had posted as high as a 10 point lead over Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill prior to his comments.
Report from Rasmussen:
What a difference one TV interview can make. Embattled Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill has now jumped to a 10-point lead over her Republican challenger, Congressman Todd Akin, in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race. Most Missouri Republicans want Akin to quit the race while most Missouri Democrats want him to stay.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Show Me State finds McCaskill earning 48% support to Akin’s 38%. Nine percent (9%) like some other candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided.
This had previously been classified as a “toss-up/tilt Republican” seat which was expected to change hands and aide the GOP in inching toward Senate control. However, barring some softening of feelings toward Akin come Election Day or his eventual withdrawal, this seat has been reclassified as “likely Democrat.”
Report from CNN:
Two of the top non-partisan political handicappers are altering their ratings of the U.S. Senate race in Missouri following a massive controversy surrounding the Republican challenger, Rep. Todd Akin.
The Cook Political Report Tuesday moved their ranking of the contest from “toss up” to “likely Democrat” and the Rothenberg Political Report from “toss-up/tilt Republican” to pure “toss up.”
Akin’s stumble certainly shakes up the race for control of the US Senate.