Politics

Missouri Republican Congressman Todd Akin today remains embattled but suggests that he plans to stay in the race for U.S. Senate.

The political firestorm caused by Akin’s remarks about “legitimate rape,” pregnancy and abortion have prompted calls by Republicans for the Senate candidate to step down.

In statements and broadcasts yesterday, candidates lines up against Akin. But the incumbent Democratic Senator from Missouri – Claire McCaskill - wasn’t one of them.

Akin’s opponent, Democrat Claire McCaskill has sought to brand Akin as a fringe conservative.

Republican Rep. Todd Akin’s comments on rape and abortion in a weekend interview have prompted a storm of reactions nationwide. 

Arguments were heard Friday on whether a temporary restraining order should be issued against Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan over language she approved for a ballot initiative regarding health care exchanges. Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and Republican lawmakers say the initiative is designed to block the governor from creating an exchange by executive order.

Missouri’s GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin is facing a wave of criticism for comments he made during an interview about pregnancies caused by rape.

When you think about enemies of free speech in Asia, North Korea comes to mind as the biggest villain. 

South Korea, on the other hand, has a robust democracy and a thriving economy. It’s perhaps the most wired country in the world, with the highest number of broadband connections per capita and an internet penetration approaching 90 percent.

Every year, politicians descend on the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia to attend the Governor’s Ham Breakfast and woo voters – and almost every year someone says something controversial. And this year was no exception.

Congressman Todd Akin, the GOP nominee for the U-S Senate, was talking with reporters about his opposition to spending hikes for food stamps and other programs in the federal Farm Bill when he was asked what he thought about school lunch programs:

State officials say exports by Missouri businesses rose by 6 percent in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2011.