Based on the reactions from the nearly 130 people who came to rally on the Capitol lawn Friday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin is a sure thing to be Missouri's next U.S. Senator.
But at least 30 others came to protest, with signs and chants - and some interruptions - to remind Akin and his supporters there are other opinions.
Barely 90 minutes after he finished debating incumbent U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in Columbia - the lawmaker he wants to replace in the Nov. 6 general election - Akin was the "star" and the reason for a mid-day, "Women Standing With Akin" rally at the Capitol, under a bright sun and practically cloudless sky.
The Rev. Monte Shinkle, pastor of Jefferson City's Concord Baptist Church, introduced Akin near the end of the rally as "a man who year after year after year has consistently voted for the values of the American people and the values of the things found in (the Bible)," and as "our next senator."
Akin, R-St. Louis County, reminded the crowd America has been a world leader in helping others when there has been a disaster.