-- claire mccaskill, that means -- by donating. he thinks he can raise money on this. >> the machiavellian political strategist in me wants to urge a bunch on democrats to contribute to his campaign, because having him in there, with was we know, claire mccaskill actually spent money to have him be the senate nominee, because he seemed like sort of a crazy person who would say these sorts of things, and then the there he goes saying them. so that strategist in me wants to urge democrats to contribute to his campaign. i wouldn't actually do that. but the broader point here, as joy was making, this is the default position of the republican party right now. and let's just remind people, when we're talking about personhood amendments, like what was on the ballot in mississippi and was defeated han diddly, that is giving the rights of a person to a fertilized egg, and it will not surprise you to learn that while it is mainstream public opinion within the republican house caucus, it is a fringe belief that that should happen within the a

both of them probably matched up better with claire mccaskill but the argument was claire mccaskill is a freshman senator running in a state that barack obama is going to lose. she's been an ardent, high profile defender of barack obama, and she had a personal private plane that she acknowledged she had not paid taxes on for some time. so you think add those things up, all todd akin had to do honestly is just don't appear in public between the day he won the primary and november 6 and he likely would have won the race. now, of course, you know, todd akin may not have come to this yet, but viewed purely from a political perspective, he just can't win. i know a lot of people are pointing to a poll that came out last night that showed the race virtually tied and it may well be today, but you have to realize most people do not follow this stuff as closely as we do, number one. so it takes more time to sink in with the electorate and number two, reince priebus, john cornyn, mitch mcconnell, scott brown, every other republican in the country has basically said this guy is unfit and needs to

for the record, his opponent, claire mccaskill was also supposed to appear on piers morgan. i want to go to dana bash, my colleague. listen, this is critical here, dana. while so many people are coming out of the woodwork within the tea party, there are many people who are backing mr. akin and don't want him to quit this race, beginning with, of all things, claire mccaskill. explain. >> you know, ashleigh, you know the world is turned upside down and inside out when your opponent comes to your defense and that's what claire mccaskill is doing. suddenly she's defending not only him but republican primary voters who and elected him to be her opponent. you'll have to see it to believe it. >> yeah, i guess it makes sense. basically, has it come to the point where any of those who were running against mr. akin in the primaries didn't have a shot at beating her? i mean, is she so sure at this point that this is the guy now with all of this mess behind him that she can beat she does not want to go up against anyone else that might take his place? >> well, i think that she knows --

at least that's what the claire mccaskill re-election campaign thinks. and we know that think that because claire mccaskill used her own campaign money during the republican primary, remember, she's a democrat, but she used her own campaign's money during the republican primary to run ads in that primary calling todd akin a true conservative and a crusader against bigger government. calling him the most conservative congressman in missouri and describing his pro-family agenda. claire mccaskill nakedly campaigning for republicans to pick this guy. todd akin, to run against her i november. and a democratic super pac got in on the action, too. they got into the republican primary and ran negative ads against everybody except todd akin. democrats got a reindeer herder 9/11 truther to be the republican on the ballot in michigan. and in missouri, they tricked the republican primary's voters into picking the weakest, weirdest republican candidate possible to be claire mccaskill's competition in the fall. these republicans who won last night in michigan and miss

at least that's what the claire mccaskill re-election campaign thinks. and we know that think that because claire mccaskill used her own campaign money during the republican primary, remember, she's a democrat, but she used her own campaign's money during the republican primary to run ads in that primary calling todd akin a true conservative and a crusader against bigger government. calling him the most conservative congressman in missouri and describing his pro-family agenda. claire mccaskill nakedly campaigning for republicans to pick this guy. todd akin, to run against her in novemb november. and a democratic super pac got in on the action, too. they got into the republican primary and ran negative ads against everybody except todd akin. democrats got a reindeer herder 9/11 truther to be the republican on the ballot in michigan. and in missouri, they tricked the republican primary's voters into picking the weakest, weirdest republican candidate possible to be claire mccaskill's competition in the fall. these republicans who won last night in michigan

democratic senator from missouri, senator claire mccaskill. >> not funny. >> claire, that's all right. we don't have to smile. we understand the position you're in right now. >> you know what he said was unbelievably ignorant. >> and offensive. and by the way, everybody has said that universally. >> stop laughing. >> claire mccaskill, good to have you on the show this morning. >> good morning, everybody. >> what do you want to talk about? >> you want to talk about something else? >> procurement, because you're really good at that. >> there's a lot to talk about in in race. i do think it's important for missourans. i know there's a lot of chatter nationwide about what congressman akin said. i know you all are talking about this in the contempt .presidential. for the state i love, i hope this is a moment where everyone who hasn't been paying close attention, this statement is kind of a window into todd akin's mind. and as someone said on set, if you really look at his record, you realize that while this is jaw-dropping and stunning, i spent ten years as a prosecutor in the courtroom and

and senator claire mccaskill really was on the ropes. now, boy, things have turned around, haven't they? >> well, see, that's the point, greta. claire mccaskill and the democrats thought they were so clever in fighting so hard to get akin on the ballot as the winner in the gop primary. and, you know, many of us who recognize that cleverness, that craftiness from the left, because we're kind of getting used to the games they play, wanted to do something about it. sarah steelman and her motto and her campaign being the status quo has got to go was absolutely right on in saying we need somebody who has a strong record of reform, of fighting crony capitalism, of fighting the good old boy network, of fighting ignorance in the senate, and sarah palin steelman was going to be that person. now we do have opportunity even though todd akin has said he won't drop out. bless his heart, i don't want to pile on todd akin, because in some respects i understand what he's trying to say here, standing on principle, that he doesn't want to be perceived as

we know his opponent, senator claire mccaskill. she must be just thrilled over all of this. >> reporter: she's not hiding it very well. she came out earlier today suddenly taking about the cause of the republican primary voter and how the republican leadership needs to heed the call and while todd akin has apologized, she could win some kind of acting award for doing that because it was clear what she was doing and the reason she's saying that is because democrats believe and republicans believe that if if todd akin stays in the race in a general election against claire mccaskill, he will lose. what's interesting just as nick was saying, akin has always had the support of the home schoolers, the church goers, et cetera. not necessarily the support of the republican establishment because they have not believe d from the get-go that-the best republican to beat claire mccaskill. you cannot underscore how important this race, this state is for the overall map, the overall balance of power in the senate. >> this could help shift the bal

in fact, claire mccaskill is going to beat you. before last week, todd akin was ahead in the missouri senate race because missouri as a state is trending pretty red, but todd akin is not ahead in that race anymore. >> if it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. >> yeah, that guy is no longer ahead. i know it's shocking. since then, it seems like it took about a day or so for missouri to digest what had just happened with todd akin. there was a pop-up poll done immediately after his remarks, and it did not show a big change in the race. mr. akin was still ahead of claire mccaskill by a point, but as soon as people absorbed he really had said that thing about legitimate rape in describing his view that rape victims should be forced by the government to bear the child of their rapist, the polls started to look like this. this one on wednesday, three days after his now famous remarks, mr. akin is losing by ten points to claire mccaskill. so the republican party does not want todd akin to st

>>stuart: we called senator claire mccaskill for an interview but we got in response. you are going to be portrayed as an extremist. even some republicans will chastise you for being a conservative. can you win? >>guest: most certainly. that sundays like washington, dc, talking. let me talk about the state of missouri. the state of month in, we want less government, less taxes, a balanced budget and paying down the deficit. that may sound strange to someone from the coast but we are conservative. >>stuart: are you talking about me? senator claire mccaskill, she ran some ads before this election, before the vote the other day. she ran some ads which imply she wanted you as her opponent because she thinks she can beat you because you will be painted as an extremist. you telling me that doesn't fly in missouri at this moment? >>guest: well, i think it doesn't. if you look at her ads she attacked all three of us in the area she thought we were weak. in my case, because i'm rated the most conservative congressman in missouri she thought i have to be too conservative, and th

we need to keep claire mccaskill in the senate. we need leaders like that given the republican war on women and how hell-bent they are on rolling back the clock we need real leaders who are, you know, who are fighting with the right priorities and claire is absolutely that. i think that we can't at all take for granted just because she is running against this guy who can't seem to get it together, that certainly doesn't mean she's got an easy race. >> what impact do you think the todd akin's remark has on other races around the country? >> i have seen it reverb rating all over. sense sundayrating all over. sense sunday. we have a lot of great candidates this year. i have seen folks have to answer for todd akin. it's right that they should. it would be one thing if todd akin were an outlier, if these remarks came out of nowhere and we were all shocked and it was completely out of left field, but the fact is, he is right in line with the republican party today. they had a bill which redefined rape so that some mattered more than othe

claire mccaskill has to be considered the underlying favorite to win. and it's what republicans -- >> she was way behind until this happened. >> -- would now regard as a potentially sizeably missed opportunity. >> in addition to the missed opportunity for republicans who need a net pickup of four senate seats and let's talk about that for a second. they need four seats. this was a gimme putt because mccaskill was so far behind but what about the impact on the presidential race and the gender divide? we in our last polling had a pretty big gender divide nationally. >> every poll has had it consistently. >> so chuck, is there a way that paul ryan also gets caught up in this, because he has worked with, as a house republican leader, he's worked with todd akin in the past. >> let's look at what's happening today in tampa, and the platform. the fact of the matter is the republican party has had a platform that its presidential nominees have disagreed with when it comes to abortion for now the third straight presidential election year, and that is this idea o

he's still up on claire mccaskill skill by 1%. they have taken a risk. if they decided to stay in, more damaging than the actual comments will be all of the litany of republican loomnaries coming out and saying this guy's terrible, he needs to get out of the race. that's going to be very devastating for him and hard to overcome. but mitt romney is likely to win missouri and win it handily. >> regardless. >> as the great brilliant steve kornacki has pointed out -- did i know him. >> i met him. fantastic. people are much more reluctant to split their tickets than they ever have been in the past. partisan divisions have hardened. >> they have. >> you see that in the poll where he has the 24% approval rating and is still winning. they just don't want to vote for claire mccaskill because they don't want to vote for obama. i agree with steve. he stays in and it could be a united states senator. >> let me ask you about the risk. crystal said it's been a risk for republicans. i understand the point. did they have an option of backing him in do they have an optio

senator claire mccaskill soldiers on in missouri. the only person, the only person standing tonight between todd akin and a seat in the united states senate. senator mccaskill has survived the bombardment of negative attack advertising financed by karl rove's super pac. and she is still standing. mitt romney cannot stop todd akin. paul ryan cannot stop todd akin. ann coulter cannot stop todd akin. karl rove cannot stop todd akin. the only people, only people who can stop todd akin from going to the united states senate now are the voters of missouri and their senator, claire mccaskill. joining me now, msnbc's joy reid and richard wolffe and michelle goldberg of "newsweek" and "the daily beast." let's listen to what rush limbaugh had to say today, advising republicans how to handle this issue. >> for any and all of you republicans, when you are asked why you don't have a rape exception in the party platform on abortion, don't answer it. don't get into the substance. don't answer the question, republicans. don't go anywhere near it. it

i just saw claire mccaskill. it seems to me that if todd akin gets the biggest idiot award, she certainly is a top nominee for best supporting actress because that famed sincerity about his forgiveness, all she needs to do, if he stays in this race, is play that interview he gave over and over and over again. that's her campaign commercial. that's the entire campaign. there's certain things you can't erase. there's certain things you can't take back. what congressman akin said is one of those things. if he wants to retain a shred of dignity, if he wants to do the right thing, he needs to drop out of this race. he's got eight more hours to do so, until 6:00 p.m. eastern time. todd, pack your bags. it's a nice time of year in rio right now. it's time for you to leave the senate race. >> but what if he doesn't. he appears he doesn't want to quit. he released this brand new tv ad. ana, what if he doesn't quit? >> if he doesn't quit, he doesn't quit. we live in a democratic society. we have democratic parties. we can'

the missouri senate race -- pitting akin against incumbent senator claire mccaskill -- is considered one oo the toughest in the natioo. mccaskill has said while she disagrees with akin's statement.. i think what's startling to me is that the him. a tea party leader says that's telling: the fact claire mccaskill wants him to stay in the race speaks vvlumes. if he looks at the bigger picture, he will do what's best and step aside. akin has lost support, but so far, he's choosing to keep his place on the ballot. 3 apple topples a computer giant.who they oveetook to become the most valuable company... coming up. 3 --adblib weather tz-- 3 you know, i was once used for small jobs. yeah, and i took on all the bigger, tougher ones. but now that mr. clean's got this new select-a-size magic eraser, i mean, he can take on any size job. look how easily he gets things cleaned. it's enough to make you cry. you, specifically. not me. i'm just happy we don't go near rex's mobile home as often. because it's hard to clean or because you're scared of an itty-bitty doggy? [ dog barks ] aah! oh! [ clears

his democrat opponent, senator claire mccaskill is not rushing him either. >> akin won by a comfortable margin. i really think that for the national party to try to come in here and dictate to the republican primary voters that they're going to invalidate their decision, that would be pretty radical and that would be a backlash for the republicans if they did that. >> there is a reason that claire mccaskill is not wearing a it-shirt for him. in the primary, they rap this ad going on and on and on about how many departments and the federal government todd akin wants to cut about and his family values. a true conservative. you hear that republicans? the mccaskill senate wants them to pick todd akin. if you're running against a guy like that, forget the head winds. against a more sane opponent, you might not have a chance, but against him, no problem. it looked bad for the republican party, right. very quickly, if you just scratch the surface, it was obvious this could turn out great for the republicans. if this could be a excuse to force him out of the race, the republicans could replace

he has got no support other than claire mccaskill. >> cenk: no money. no friends. his staff will disappear because them' get the mention message if you work with this guy you'll never work in another campaign. i'm hoping that he just stays in for that. nia malik henderson and. >> caller: rirne >> this court has proven to be the knowing, delighted accomplice in the billionaires' purchase of our nation. >> and you think it doesn't affect you? think again. so, you guys grew up together. yes, since third grade... what are you lookin' at? not looking at i anything... we're not good enough for you. must be supermodels? what do you model gloves? brad, eat a snickers. why? 'cause you get a little angry when you're hungry. better? [ male announcer ] you're not you when you're hungry™. better. [ male announcer ] snickers satisfies. you want to save money on car insurance? no problem. you want to save money on rv insurance? no problem. you want to save money on motorcycle insurance? no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new y

senate race in missouri is pitting claire mccaskill against republican challenger, todd akin. they drew news this weekend over akin's stance on abortion. mccaskill is running for a second term in office. if you want to sound smart today, tell people this. the last three people to hold mccaskill's seat for senate, lost their bid for re-election. they all served one full term or less before being voted out of office. >>> let's gather around the watercooler to watch infomercials take their role in the presidential campaign. also, the sweet stylings of ice cube's "it was a good day." paul ryan is known for his affinity for the p90x training program. nancy pelosi, not so much. >> what are your thoughts on him? >> he's a nice person. >> yes. >> i don't really know him well because i've never been to the gym. >> have you seen him with the shirt off? it's pretty awesome. the guy is ripped. the guy is ripped. >> it takes time. >> it does. the p90x is very tough. i got the dvds. i made it to the first part. i put on "finding nemo." >> mrs. pelosi i not a big fan of paul ryan. but there'

claire mccaskill had been considered the most vulnerable. todd akin was considered the weakest republican challenger, and he may have indicated that suggestion this week. >> when you look at what happened, it is the romney campaign snake bit, charles? >> they were on a roll, they had an exciting a vice presidential candidate. the focus had shifted to larger issues, where i think the republicans or strong or at least feel comfortable. all of a sudden this crank in missouri -- i mean, he is so much in denial, in that clip use of, he thinks he made a mistake of addiction. the guy is out to lunch. but he stands alone. the democrats see a tremendous opening of pretending that he is a spokesman for the republicans, whereas he is a pariah and that is going to be the struggle. >> but that the virus spreads, evan. can you believe it is 2012 and we are still talking about abortion? >> the amazing thing to me is that the guys polls went up at worst. never underestimate the grass roots and their defiance of us, the media elites and all that. but as time

claire mccaskill popular when she came in six years ago. she has been viewed as the most vulnerable democrat out there running for re-election. is it your sense that regardless of who wins that republican primary, she goes down to defeat? >> you know, i would say that she is more likely to lose than she is to win at the moment. some republicans are comparing her to senator blanch lincoln of arkansas two years ago who was completely toast the moment she decided she was going to run for re-election. i wouldn't go that far. i wouldn't say she's completely done. but this time around, claire mccaskill faces a really big deficit. she voted for everything that voters hate about president obama. the stimulus bill, the healthcare law even cap and trade legislation. she sort of -- i shouldn't say cap and trade. that was the house not the senate. but healthcare, stimulus, auto bailouts, check, check check she's done everything. her favorable ratings are underwater. and a recent survey by the "st. louis post dispatch" shows she's losing by 5 points to

senator claire mccaskill, his opponent, hopes he won't quit, because she has a shot of saving her seat. how critical is that seat to the democrats, mark? >> the democrats are fighting to maintain control of the senate. claire mccaskill had been considered vulnerable, but todd akin had been considered the weakest republican challenger, and he may have vindicated that suggestion this week. >> is the romney campaign snake bit, charles? >> they were on a roll, they had an exciting vice-presidential candidate, and the focus had shifted to larger issues, with the republicans or strong or at least feel comfortable, then all of a sudden this crank in missouri -- he is so much in denial, in that clip you saw he thinks he made a mistake of diction. the guy is out to lunch. but he stands alone. the democrats have had a tremendous time pretending he is a spokesman for the republican party, but he is a pariah. >> that virus spreads, evan. can you believe it is 2012 and we are still talking about abortion? >> the amazing thing is that the polls went up at first. never underestimate the grass roots a

senate race in missouri is pitting claire mccaskill against republican challenger, todd akin. they drew news this weekend over akin's stance on abortion. mccaskill is running for a second term in office. if you want to sound smart today, tell people this. the last three people to hold mccaskill's seat for senate, lost their bid for re-election. they all served one full term or less before being voted out of office. >>> let's gather around the watercooler to watch infomercials take their role in the presidential campaign. also, the sweet stylings of ice cube's "it was a good day." paul ryan is known for his affinity for the p90x training program. nancy pelosi, not so much. >> what are your thoughts on him? >> he's a nice person. >> yes. >> i don't really know him well because i've never been to the gym. >> have you seen him with the shirt off? it's pretty awesome. the guy is ripped. the guy is ripped. >> it takes time. >> it does. the p90x is very tough. i got the dvds. i made it to the first part. i put on "finding nemo." >> mrs. pelosi is not a big fan of paul ryan. but there

he has got no support other than claire mccaskill. >> cenk: no money. no friends. his staff will disappear because them' get the mention message if you work with this guy, you'll never work in another campaign. i'm hoping that he just stays in for that. nia malik henderson and. >> caller: rirnecarmone. thanks for coming in. >> thank you. >> eliot: does president obama want the deal too much? that's coming up. >> this court has proven to be the knowing, delighted accomplice in the billionaires' purchase of our nation. >> and you think it doesn't affect you? think again. you want to save money on car insurance? no problem. you want to save money on rv insurance? no problem. you want to save money on motorcycle insurance? no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new york. hey little guy, wake up! aw, come off it mate! geico. saving people money on more than just car insurance. romise led him to forsake his capacity to stand for the principles that led the public to support him in the first place. barack obama's desperation

election with claire mccaskill, and claire mccaskill, already a good politician, and she is jumping on this. listen to what she said. >> for me in race, i want to make sure that this is a moment where missourians can take a close look. he was elected by the republican primary voters by a wide margin, and i know that there are people that are out of the mainstream who really support todd akin, but for most missourians, e hope it is a gut check moments when they realize this is not somebody we want speaking for us and our values. >> just to give you an example to illustrate how problematic congressman akin thought was for the republicans, paul steinhauser our political director just reminded me that claire mccaskill waded into the republican primary and aired an ad touting the conservative credentials of congressman akin, because she knew he is the person that she would want to run against the most on the republican side that she had the best chance of beating, and clear clearly, we can see why. >> and dana, talk about this other story that is brewing here or percolating, another cong