Bond Latest to Endorse Akin
*** UPDATE 9:26 P.M. *** Friday night more republicans came forward backing Missouri Senate Candidate Todd Akin. The latest two are some of Mitt Romney’s senior advisors, although Mitt Romney himself has not moved in support of Akin since his statements concerning rape in late August.Here in Missouri more politicians are also flocking behind akin. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler originally called for akin to withdraw from the race, her opinion has changed.Congresswoman Hartzler said she’s in support of the entire Republican Party, including Akin. A trend ABC 17 News has seen a lot of republican candidates follow here in Missouri. “Tod Akin is now our republican candidate and so I support his efforts to remove Claire from office,” said Hartzler. Hartzler is not the only lawmaker switching his or her views, former Missouri Senator Kit Bond and Former Senator Jim Talent both changed their stance on Friday. Both are now pushing for Akin to take the Senate seat,When ABC 17 News asked Why Hartzler made the decision to change her views she said, “Well he is our republican candidate we were unsure for a while of the status of that but now that he is definitely I am proud to join efforts.”On Wednesday Senator Roy Blunt and the Missouri Republican Party all jumped on the band wagon, in addition to that, the National Republican Senator Committee openly addressed their support of Akin this week. All it seems with the same motive in mind, “We need to focus on the big picture which is control of the senate,” said Hartzler. Former Senator Jack Danforth did publicly speak out against Akin this week.*** ORIGINAL STORY ***Former Missouri senator and two-term governor Kit Bond endorsed Todd Akin for U.S. Senate Friday.The move was a shift from last month when Bond teamed with several key Republicans in the state and called on Akin to get out of the race after Akin made controversial comments about rape and pregnancy.Bond’s reversal is part of a growing trend among Republicans as they rally around their candidate who is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill. Former senator Jim Talent also changed his stance on Akin today and said he supported him.
