Still no reason for Akin to drop out of the race

Todd Akin (R-Dumbfuckistan) I wrote yesterday that it would be perfectly rational for Todd Akin to stay in the Missouri Senate race. Unlike crazy unelectable Republican Senate nominees like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, and Ken Buck in Colorado, Akin has the benefit of running in Missouri'a red state that is getting redder, with one of the largest concentrations of white evangelicals in the country. I also guessed that Akin remained the frontrunner given his state's demographics.

Yesterday's snap poll from PPP confirmed those guesses'Akin retains a one-point lead over deeply unpopular incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill, not much different than the state of the race in late May. The numbers certainly show a massive erosion in McCaskill's deficit, no doubt. But fact is, Akin still leads (however marginally) after suffering the wrath of the entire political and media establishment.  

If polling showed him down 10-15 points, there would be no electoral rationale for him to continue his race. But he can win this. Why else would he give it up after a year of hard campaigning? Not when he's this close to the goal.

Let's put it this way: If he drops out, he has zero chance of becoming a U.S. senator. If he stays in, he has a good chance.

So what's left, the money? The NRSC and Karl Rove's Crossroads have promised to quit the state of Akin stays in. But the GOP's hopes for a majority run through Missouri. There's not much of a path without knocking off McCaskill.

In other words, the money will be there. As much outrage and disgust as they're dishing at the moment, they'll quietly open up the checkbook so long as the race remains deadlocked, and Akin promises them one seat closer to the majority.

If I'm Akin, I call their bluff and stay in. It's the rational thing to do.