Mo. Farm Bureau reconsiders Akin support

Friday, August 31, 2012

The political action committee of the Missouri Farm Bureau has decided to reconsider its endorsement of Republican Congressman Todd Akin for U.S. Senate.

Farm Bureau spokesman Estil Fretwell told The Associated Press on Friday that a majority of county Farm Bureau leaders want to reconsider the endorsement. That means a new vote soon.

The organization polled local leaders about reconsidering after a TV interview aired Aug. 19 in which Akin said women's bodies have ways of avoiding pregnancy in what he termed "legitimate rape." The move is unprecedented for the Farm Bureau, which endorsed Akin over Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill by a 99 percent vote just three weeks ago.

Akin has repeatedly apologized but has lost the support of top Republicans.

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Sequoia 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Makes you wonder how much thought the Farm Bureau put into its endorsement in the first place, since Akin was just stating his long held belief about the basis for an idea that has been a plank on the Republican platform for a long time--that abortion restrictions should not contain an exception for rape or incest.

The FB should consider the fact that abortion restrictions will fall most heavily on low-income people living in rural areas. People in cities will have options. The wealthy will have options. A young girl in a rural community will have the hardest time getting an abortion, and very likely may not be able to get one at all, in Akin's America.

The FB should make no mistake: the economic interest of its members depends on improved roads and infrastructure and in the rich paying their fair share of taxes. If you're not working for ConAgra or ADM, Akin could give two squats what happens to you and your farm.

tonto_goldberg 8 months, 3 weeks ago

The Missouri Farm Bureau represents big agribusiness interests like ConAgra and ADM. They are not interested in actual people living in rural areas any more than the United States Chamber of Commerce is interested in small town businesses.

cimarron 8 months, 3 weeks ago

The Corn Growers and the Soybean Assoc. backed Nixon?

spelchek 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Looks like somebody got a call from D.C.

TimABlankenship 8 months, 3 weeks ago

I can tell you one thing. If Farm Bureau decides not to back Todd Akin, they will no longer be considered by me for insurance protection.

newone 8 months, 3 weeks ago

That is ok because I would give them my business if they didn't back him.

seeno 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Karl Rove joked, “We should sink Todd Akin. If he’s found mysteriously murdered, don’t look for my whereabouts!” This was one of many statements that Karl Rove made according to an article titled Exclusive: Inside Karl Rove's Billionaire Fundraiser in Bloomberg Business Week. The article is definitely worth reading to get some insight into the exposed underbelly of this nation's politics and their dark, seamy, often hidden agenda. It should come as no surprise that the Farm Bureau is reconsidering their backing of Akin.

Paroquet 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Funny. One of their former execs is a power player in the Sierra Club now. Typically, he's pretty effective. Being an insurance guy, and later an ecologist, he knows firsthand that MFB isn't into anything that will benefit you. He made his career change when the MFB basically hosed his parents on their century farm.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Karl Rove is the problem, has been the problem since 1973 at Tan Tara! Rob

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