Republicans look for a path to a Senate majority that doesn't go through Missouri

If Republicans can't get Todd Akin out of the race, they'll look for a way around Missouri. Republicans are scrambling to figure out their best path to a Senate majority if Rep. Todd Akin continues to defy his party's establishment and stays in the Missouri Senate race. Unfortunately for Democrats, while the prospect of losing Missouri makes the GOP quest more difficult, Republicans still have options for picking up the four seats they need to take the Senate:

The GOP's original plan to regain Senate control hinged on picking up seats in Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri, states Mitt Romney is expected to win and where the Democratic Senate candidates are trailing in the polls. Without Missouri, party strategists say, there will be an enhanced focus on, and heavier investments in, open-seat races in Wisconsin and New Mexico, as well as Democrat Bill Nelson's seat in Florida.

Recent polling shows Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson with a lead over Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, while Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich is leading former Republican Rep. Heather Wilson in New Mexico, and Sen. Bill Nelson is leading Republican Rep. Connie Mack in Florida. So if Missouri doesn't pan out, Wisconsin becomes Republicans' best bet.

The truth is, Republicans have a friendly Senate map this year, and they have the money advantage. Fortunately for Democrats, Republicans also have candidates like Todd Akin, who occasionally let voters in on policy positions that the Republican party tries to keep secret even as it writes them into its platform.