Todd Akin receives promises of more campaign cash from conservatives

Fearing Rep. Todd Akin's remarks on abortion would send women fleeing from the Republican Party, many leading members of the GOP have started attacking the Missouri senate candidate's campaign. Chip Reid reports. / Whitney Curtis

(CBS News) Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin is slowly making his way back from what many thought was the point of no return. After being shunned by most Republicans for his "legitimate" rape comments, support for the Republican candidate is starting to trickle in.

The Senate Conservatives Fund, a third party group started by conservative Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., announced Thursday morning that it has pledged at least $290,000 for Akin's quest to beat Democratic incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill.

After surveying its members, the SCF told its supporters in an email, "We've heard you loud and clear so we're going to endorse him today and provide a way for you to immediately swing into action."

Although he doesn't run SCF anymore, DeMint endorsed Akin Wednesday, along with former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, whose PAC, Patriot Voices, will also provide monetary support.

"Senator Santorum looks forward to supporting Todd Akin by mobilizing his grassroots supporters in Missouri and by making a PAC contribution. Patriot Voices PAC will also use our call from home program to encourage folks to support Akin and we have hired staff for on-the-ground efforts in Missouri," Patriot Voices spokesperson Virginia Davis wrote in an email.

Although vocal endorsements are meaningful, especially to embattled candidates, monetary support means more. It's a crucial component to running an effective, and winnable, campaign.

McCaskill, however, says Akin is willing to say anything in exchange for campaign cash. A previous supporter of congressional earmarks, Akin came out against them last week. One of the Senate Conservatives Fund's major priorities is getting rid of the congressional spending directives.

After causing a firestorm by saying in an interview that female victims of "legitimate" rape are unlikely to get pregnant, Akin ignored a September 25 deadline to drop out, vowing to stay in the race. He appeared at a news conference with former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich who predicted Republicans would come back to the campaign.

Gingrich might be right. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the organizing arm to elect Republicans in the Senate, had said it was pulling its pledged $5 million from Akin's race after the comments. The NRSC is now reconsidering.

"As with every Republican Senate candidate, we hope Todd Akin wins in November and we will continue to monitor this race closely in the days ahead," Rob Jesmer, director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told FoxNews.com.

Although polls show McCaskill with a slight lead after Akin's comments, the race is not lost for Republicans in the red state. The Missouri Senate seat would be an important pick up for Republicans if they want to take back control of the Senate.

McCaskill is already out with an ad reminding voters of Akin's "legitimate" rape comments, and it's an issue she is likely to push until election day.

[doubleecho-2009]

If this guy "wins", it is a serious black-eye for the state of Missouri!

[vernique3]

This arch conservative hates all women who feel they are equal to men. The only difference is most evangelical Christians and conservatives are smart enough hide these beliefs from the general public.

[fittinguy]

How low will you go...GOP? Does personal responsibility MEAN anything to you? Pathetic Party.

[cntrygirl3]

Aren't these the same people decrying his words, the same people saying he should get out, the same people who would never support him. Just goes to show republicans are totally untruthful, have no honor and will do absolutely anything to take power. They are even more disgusting than the idiot Akin.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

What a clown.

What's worse are the people who support him.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

excellent point. WE THE PEOPLE Deserve exactly the Government we send to Washington.

[levelheadedtoo]

We will be hearing about Akin's trip to the Appalachian Trail sometime soon. These extremist all have a closet life waiting to be released. His might involve an abortion in his past. After all, no one hates women so much without some mental issue.

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

Hard to believe a man of this low caliber has a chance in ANY state. Elected officials are the face of the constituents who elect them. These evil doers say those who elect them are just like them. I understand a lot of people think of retiring to Missouri for moderate climate & low cost of living, but if this is what they want for government they may wish to choose another state.

[bobnjersey]

["As with every Republican Senate candidate, we hope Todd Akin wins in November and we will continue to monitor this race closely in the days ahead," Rob Jesmer]
-----------------------------------------------
a clear indication of the 'ends justify means' attitude of republicans.

one minute they'll toss him to the curb if it looks like he's going to damage their brand ... the next their throwing money at him in order to win at any cost.

there is nothing anyone of them can say or do to get in the way of winning for the party.

[doubleecho-2009]

You have pointed pointed out the MOST despicable trait of the Republican Party! "The ends justify the means"! To WIN, they will do just about ANYTHING, even if it is immoral or illegal.

[dodinyc]

When the GOP denounced his remarks and withdrew support for Akin I had to give it some respect for ding the right thing instead of being hypocrites. Now they have shown beyond doubt that they are lacking of any moral fiber whatsoever.

[mentalist65]

The Akin misogynists are putting their money where their minds are.