The pro-Democratic super-PAC American Bridge released an archive of video footage Thursday, attacking Missouri Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) as "far outside the mainstream."
The first video in the series, titled "Best of Akin," is a more than minute-long mashup of Akin's controversial remarks, beginning with his most widely-panned comment on "legitimate rape."
“Todd Akin is so far outside the mainstream, he makes Christine O’Donnell look perfectly normal. By revealing the extent of Akin’s disregard for science, belief in outright conspiracy theories, and inexplicable craziness, we hope this video archive helps Missourians avoid making a huge mistake,” said Matt Thornton, senior communications adviser for American Bridge 21st Century, in a statement.
The
video archive was unveiled in conjunction with a memo and timed with the passing of the deadline on Tuesday for Akin to withdraw from the race.
Akin drew national attention, as well as condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, in August when he claimed that "legitimate rape" doesn't often result in pregnancy because the body has "ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
At the time fellow Republicans, including GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, distanced themselves from the Missouri candidate, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) stopped funding for his campaign.
However, as the deadline to exit from the contest came and went, Akin received some high-profile endorsements from Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Tea Party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). The
NRSC also hinted that it might reverse its decision.
"If Republicans are to win back the Senate and stop President Obama's liberal agenda, we must defeat Sen. Claire McCaskill [(D)] in Missouri. Her support of President Obama's job-killing, big-spending policies are sending our country into an economic abyss," Santorum and DeMint said in a joint statement announcing their support for Akin.
Akin lost ground to his incumbent opponent when he made the controversial comment, but polls have shown a tightening race.
