#MOSen: moved the race to Likely Democratic.As long as Akin is running, it’s unwinnable for Republicans. If he exits, it’s back to Toss Up
— CookPoliticalReport (@CookPolitical) August 21, 2012
Nate Cohn didn’t think Akin’s “comments alone were sufficient to ensure Akin’s defeat.” But:
[T]he concerted GOP effort to throw Akin under the bus does make McCaskill the favorite. She’ll be able to air advertisements quoting Republican leaders effectively suggesting his unfit for office—even if they meant he was unfit to campaign. And the “legitimate rape” comments are the tip of the iceberg with this guy, so I suspect the McCaskill campaign will be able to persuade enough independent voters to prevail statewide—even if the state’s politics prevent the blowout that many seem to suspect.
The Dish 