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Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri.<br>PHOTO:United States Congress

Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri.
PHOTO:United States Congress

Akin Says He Will Not Leave Senate Race

By AP

ST LOUIS, MO - The initial deadline for Republican Rep. Todd Akin to quit the Missouri Senate race has come and gone, with no signs that he plans to give up.

Tuesday at 5 p.m. was the deadline for Akin to withdraw from the race without a court order, but neither Akin nor anyone associated with his campaign filed the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State's office.

Akin now has until Sept. 25 to withdraw, but he would need a court order.

Akin is facing intense pressure from national Republicans to get out of the race against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill.

Akin stirred outrage on Sunday when he said women's bodies are sometimes able to prevent pregnancies after what he called "a legitimate rape."

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Monday issued a statement saying that Akin's comments were "insulting, inexcusable, and frankly, wrong." Romney joined a number of Republicans in suggesting that Akin should leave the race.

Published 05:45 PM, Tuesday Aug. 21, 2012
Updated 02:29 PM, Wednesday Aug. 22, 2012

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- Name: Arnold Z.
  
  8/25/2012 9:55:38 PM
  
  Maybe West Kentucky Star should be printing these vital comments on the main page, and then if they wanted to, people could click at the bottom of the comments to read the less important news story... at least it looks like that's how the five or six serial commenters on here would like it...
  
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  Name: eddy a.
  
  8/25/2012 9:47:25 PM
  
  Judy T, everything that we hear from both sides is nothing but'HOGWASH'.It is not about the american people it is about who is going to be in control in washington for special interest.I know that you have heard that we are going to take our country back just stop and think who is we.This country belongs to everyone for right now but i do not know how long it will last.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/25/2012 10:46:06 AM
  
  I work with a yellow-dog democrat and a republican of a mind set that is about the same, we need to coin a phrase for them too. I find it quite entertaining to listen to their silliness. Facts don't seem to matter, what the party says is what matters. There is absolutely no way you could convince either of them that what they were told was at best a half-truth.
  
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  Name: charles m.
  
  8/25/2012 9:27:44 AM
  
  I missed the McConnell/Paul article. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Dan T. And great post, Gerald C., with that article. You're preaching to the heathens, but it never hurts to drop a few facts on people or yellow-dog Democrats who, well, have a yellow dog as their champion.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/24/2012 9:10:25 PM
  
  @ Hazel h and all others . Hazel claims Gerald C. is bias? Well all we need to do is go to top of home page & click news then Kentucky news the tap on Mitch McConnel and Rand Paul at Tea Party rally. Start with bottom first post by me & see why people like Jerry and the other person keeps our country so divided. Just proof there ol'Jerry.......... Jerry some do not forget a forked tongue person. Lets see how this post is attacked..lol
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/24/2012 8:03:46 PM
  
  Rahm Emanuels comment sounds to me like a crude way to tell someone to quit being a mush mouth and speak up. There is a big difference in the statements. I know you can't see it because you really don't want to see it. You need someting for comparison and that was the best comment you could find. I am not aa liberal, just someone who hates distortion. It irritates me and beleive me the demomcrats, republicans and news media keep me irritated a lot. Honesty is apparently a lost art.
  
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  Name: m t.
  
  8/24/2012 7:27:51 PM
  
  Isn't it a shame our repub. friends whin so however, when you claim the moral highground is a higher standard not expected. Turn off the smoke pump, admit you are no better. Mitch thinks teapartier are kooks but he backs rights to burn the US flag.WE all need to work togeather for the good of the country.
  
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  Name: eddy a.
  
  8/24/2012 6:01:03 PM
  
  Could Mr. Akin be giving us a inside look at what goes on behind close doors of the Republican party that he really did not want us to know.I think that women should open their eyes about what he said about them.The Republicans want him to get out of the race because they do not want someone to tell their little secrets.
  
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  Name: Gerald C.
  
  8/24/2012 10:52:02 AM
  
  I see, Judy, Akin's statement gives insight as to how he thinks yet Rahm Emanuel's demeaning statement does not give insight into how he feels about women. This is a prime example of how the Liberal Democrats get a pass and the Conservative Republicans do not. You have proven my point about the hypocrisy of Democrats. They are both guilty, yet your man gets a pass because he is a Liberal Democrat. This is why I detest Liberals.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/23/2012 6:40:45 PM
  
  Eddy a. Wish I could thump a lady or two and start a red light house but man how can you even think along those lines? I will go with the republican party to kill all old folk and stack their bodies out on the road side so they can be picked up in the morning like our trash bags.I'll go with that party line.. How bout you?
  
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  Name: Joe S.
  
  8/23/2012 6:37:12 PM
  
  Kent B. Just because the platform language hasn't changed doesn't mean that there isn't a fracture. I frankly think it's healthy for any party to have disagreement on these issues. We're supposed to be electing people, not parties in this country -- and for anyone to believe that what the party says is a sign of total agreement and expects total obedience is a like asking people to becoming part of the Borg. Given your posting, I think you may have already absorbed by the Borg. Those biased, half-truth telling, nightly Fox News shows do an excellent job of brain washing.
  
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  Name: eddy a.
  
  8/23/2012 6:27:42 PM
  
  Long time ago when a man wanted a woman he just grab her by the hair of the head and dragged her in his cave and she became his woman.Untill the next man came along and took her for his own.Men have killed each other over women from the begining of time.Could this be the new Republican policy about women.
  
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  Name: Kent B.
  
  8/23/2012 6:03:34 PM
  
  No fracture Joe, the plank in the platform is the same as 2008, just like the other party falling back on the tried and true class warfare mantra. Tax the rich, tax the rich while backhandedly increasing the burden on us all. The Dems have it down to an art which is why on average we are 40% poorer than we were 4 years ago.
  
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  Name: Kent B.
  
  8/23/2012 5:59:05 PM
  
  Randy, how exactly are the ramblings of a senate candidate in Missouri supposed to help Obama stay in office? Do you honestly think that thim man's viewpoint is shared by either Romney or Ryan? By that logic then Obama and Biden support men having relations with 17 year old boys like the Democrat in Minnesota. Seriously, I hope the Democrats continue to make womens issues and abortion the key to their campaign and the upcoming convention. If that is their focus the election will be a landslide for Romney gift wrapped by the DNC.
  
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  Name: Joe S.
  
  8/23/2012 5:34:28 PM
  
  Do I see a brewing fracture in Republican policy on abortion? The general public is increasingly understanding that "pro life" can no longer be a unifying rallying cry for Republicans. Where does the rights of a women begin as opposed to a fetus, and how can that be reasonably discussed if there are guys who are as factually wrong as Akin leading the discussion? It appears that many national Republican leaders agree.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/23/2012 5:11:32 PM
  
  Or did Todd Akin say he'd put the raped women in chains? I also think a cat or a dog should be put down by one .22 cal. short to the back of the head. Look up how they kill the d@mn cow,hog or chicken you just ate.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/23/2012 5:07:41 PM
  
  How can this topic top very thing that has been said by Mr Obama and his out of control Biden.../
  
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  Name: M C.
  
  8/23/2012 1:57:25 PM
  
  So if a woman is forced to carry a rapist's baby to term, and the woman dies from childbirth, does the rapist then get charged for murder or do they just get custody of the baby?
  
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  Name: eddy a.
  
  8/23/2012 5:39:49 AM
  
  It does not look good for the american people because of the Republican and the Democrat party.Where is the true national party for the american people?We dont have one.
  
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  Name: Randy W.
  
  8/23/2012 5:05:36 AM
  
  Thank you Mr. Akin, you just helped us keep our president.
  
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  Name: George J.
  
  8/22/2012 1:59:58 PM
  
  The main objective is "Obama has to go" We need to repeal the Obama-care. We need Republicans in the Senate to do it. We may have to vote for Akin to gain control of the Senate. The bigger picture is more important. He did not step down so we have to work with what we got. I can't vote democrat this time around. Claire has got to go..she votes with Obama on everything....
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/22/2012 10:55:53 AM
  
  The problem with Rron Paul was his lack of qualifications to be president. He was honest and interested in the betterment of the people and his country. We couldn't have someone like that as president.
  
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  Name: Joe S.
  
  8/22/2012 10:40:34 AM
  
  Some dangerous people believe that anything that is different than what they want is because OTHER people can just will it to be the way that they want. We already see this same thinking about sexual orientation, which has been proven to be essentially biological. Now this same logic is trying to be sold about women's bodies. With this logic, I'm expecting the next assault to say that health insurance should be optional because people can always cure themselves if they want to. On the other hand, for the Republican leadership to browbeat Akin is an indication of mean party tactics -- something that is more and more common within the Republican party; just ask a Ron Paul supporter.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/22/2012 9:48:23 AM
  
  I wouldn't consider what he said as a slip of the tongue. It was more of a crude statement that appears to give some insight into what he really thinks. The statement by Emanuel was merely a rather crude way of telling someone to speak clearly. You really need to try again for a comparison.....
  
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  Name: W H.
  
  8/22/2012 9:26:26 AM
  
  I find it ironic that all of us at one time or another have screamed "Give me an ordinary citizen to vote for!" and then later cried "Throw the bum out - he's just a politician!" - after a slip of the tongue. One comment usually doesn't give a full picture of anyone's life and perspective. Politicians are citizens and people who make bad choices just like the rest of us. But our stupid comments and actions (we ALL make them) aren't re-played for a week after we make them. Aren't you glad? I don't agree with this man AT ALL on this issue, but at some point we have to look at the whole man, not one comment on TV. Otherwise, you are a sheep, and there's an election coming up. Think, don't just react, otherwise the press wins.
  
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  Name: Gerald C.
  
  8/22/2012 8:59:07 AM
  
  @ hazel h. How can you write that this gives insight as to what lots of other Republican men think about women? This was one mans opinion and it is an ignorant opinion, but has nothing whatsoever to do with what other Republican men think. I am a registered Republican and I sure do not agree with what he said. Every Republican man I know has condemned his statements. What about this statement by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel addressing a male staffer during a meeting, as reported in the book 'The Promise' by Newsweek's Jonathan Alter when he said, ''Take your f**king tampon out and tell me what you have to say.'' This was Obama's Chief of Staff, yet I saw none of you Democrats complaining about that demeaning statement toward women. O' no, that was a Democrat and one of Obama's hand picked men. So does that mean that Obama and all Democrats feel the same way? Of course not.
  
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  Name: Candice N.
  
  8/22/2012 7:40:34 AM
  
  Good one Aldo. I for one am apalled a man would stand up in front of voters and state that there are legitimate and non legitimate rapes. What about the children who are raped and some teenagers? If they produce a child, according to this man, it wasn't a legitimate rape? Apparently the grey matter has seeped straight out of this man's head.
  
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  Name: Independent T.
  
  8/22/2012 7:32:55 AM
  
  I'll tip my hat to Aldo on this one. lol
  
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  Name: Kyle W.
  
  8/22/2012 6:04:05 AM
  
  Nice play on words.
  
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  Name: aldo n.
  
  8/22/2012 5:36:13 AM
  
  Leave it to a man without a clue as to how a woman's reproductive process works to not know when to pull out.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/22/2012 12:40:40 AM
  
  I just hope Biden doesn't have a set of chains for me or anyone else. I have thin skin like 80 percent of the folk who post here and the chains might hurt a little.. But glad this tread has ALMOST the response we had a few weeks ago about how dogs & cats was put done. Keep it up gang we need 22 more posts to match that one.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/21/2012 8:21:44 PM
  
  Their recent past is pretty bad with the dullard they currently have.
  
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  Name: Kyle W.
  
  8/21/2012 7:09:24 PM
  
  Missouri's future looks so bright with the possibility of this cowardly tool running.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/21/2012 6:28:20 PM
  
  The amazing point in this race is that he is still far and a way the better candidate. There is nothing he can do about abortion as a Senator and McCaskill is the least effective Senator in a long time. I read that the DSCC (Democrat Senate group) spent more money toward his primary campaign than he did. That is sleazy, but what else do you have when McCaskill is your candidate.
  
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  Name: D.E. m.
  
  8/21/2012 6:20:42 PM
  
  Julia is 100% right. You think pro life men would stop and think about that. I understand how someone could be pro life and that is their right but if the shoe was on the other foot and it was a male medical issue i have a feeling they would have a different opinion. The main reason i'm pro choice is i am a man and it's not my body. My wife is pro life but would never want to take the right of other women to make that huge choice herself. I just can't beleive this guy has the guts to continue to be in the public light.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/21/2012 6:06:59 PM
  
  This stupid statement gave too much insight into the thoughts and personality. The statement was ether what he really thinks or this is a person who will say anything to get the anti-abortion vote.
  
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  Name: Joe S.
  
  8/21/2012 6:05:55 PM
  
  What Akin said was not only stupid, it was so incredibly wrong that I'm quite stunned. On top of suggesting that rapes are potentially voluntary, this guy also said that he thinks a woman can abort a baby if she wills it. It is truly scary that any reasonably educated adult would believe this to be fact -- but to be an elected congressman? I wonder what other dangerous, inaccurate beliefs this guy holds. I wouldn't trust him to make laws for me.
  
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  Name: Gerald C.
  
  8/21/2012 2:06:17 PM
  
  The guy made a stupid comment. So be it. But he is not the only one that has done the same thing. But this one was a big one. He might as well step down. If you think politicians are smart you must have your head in the sand. Just look at all the foolish statements they make. It does not matter if they are Republican or Democrat. They all make stupid remarks but seems the media holds the Republicans to a higher standard. Biden can say the stupidest things and gets away with it. Obama has made ignorant statements you have all heard, yet nothing is ever said. My point is that the leaders of this nation are, for the most part, fools. Once you grasp that you will never be surprised when they make stupid statements or pass stupid laws. Stupid is as stupid does.
  
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  Name: Julia A.
  
  8/21/2012 1:57:55 PM
  
  Nothing makes me angrier than hearing men spout off about abortion. As a Mom of three, I can tell you that it's really as simple as this, (and my husband agrees with me, by the way). if men were the ones designed to give birth, this conversation wouldn't even be happening. Abortion would be available during 7th inning stretch at any major league ball park in the country.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/21/2012 1:38:59 PM
  
  What we need is real people who live down here with us peons. We need to make them stay down here in the real world at least 6 month per year. If they can't get their work done in 6 months then it won't be done. We could also cut their pay in half.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/21/2012 11:34:00 AM
  
  I also love it when they slip up. I quit listening to Rush because one day when he was running down the poor he slipped and included the middle class. That was my wake up call.
  
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  Name: Independent T.
  
  8/21/2012 10:44:18 AM
  
  I love it when an idiot republican like this guy slips us and tells us what they are all really thinking. lol
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/21/2012 9:50:15 AM
  
  Senator McConnell has not had an opponent that was a better choice. It is still not clear that McCaskill is the better choice in this election. She is a terrible senator; he can't be any worse.
  
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  Name: Melvin B.
  
  8/20/2012 10:31:09 PM
  
  Just like Mitch, people keep voting for the Idiots. All those up there now need to be sent home, to look for a real job.
  
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  Name: Kyle W.
  
  8/20/2012 8:38:11 PM
  
  You hit it correctly Aldo. What an idiot!! And he doesn't even have enough stones to stand by his comments. What a loser.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/20/2012 8:26:03 PM
  
  Apparently he has been eleced 6 times and nobody noticed what they were voting for.
  
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  Name: aldo n.
  
  8/20/2012 7:25:30 PM
  
  Republican AND Christian; LMBO! What an idiot. This is the best the right has to offer? At least he showed his true incompetence BEFORE the election.
  
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  Name: M G.
  
  8/20/2012 7:12:12 PM
  
  Maybe women should think twice before they put themselves in a position like this!
  
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  Name: D.E. m.
  
  8/20/2012 5:02:45 PM
  
  What an idiot!
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/20/2012 2:35:20 PM
  
  Reports are that he is withdrawing from the race.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/20/2012 2:33:09 PM
  
  If he said what he thinks then he should stand by the comment. It is hard to believe that he said it but meant something else - kind of like the "You didn't build that..(business)" comment that some people tried to justify by saying that the inarticulate speaker really meant to say "You didn't build that...(roads and bridges)." I tend to believe that neither speaker is inarticulate and both said what they meant.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/20/2012 1:56:28 PM
  
  So the guy is at least as big of a buffoon as Joe Biden; that is your position? At least sycophants aren't circling around him to defend his stupid comment.
  
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  Name: Judy T.
  
  8/20/2012 1:48:10 PM
  
  Was this foot-in-mouth disease or a deliberate comment to get the evangelical Christian vote? What was he apologizing for, saying it or thinking that way? If he said he was sorry I would say that is my opinion exactly, a very sorry type of person.
  
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  Name: V .
  
  8/20/2012 1:24:44 PM
  
  I dont recall Biden ever saying that "women don't have rape babies" to the voting public. If you ever want to tick off 50% of the voting block, pick on women voters with ignorant religious based idiocy. While we're at it, why not quote 1 Corinthians 11 and make all women cover their heads while praying, and tell them short hair is a defilement to their husband.
  
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  Name: Independent T.
  
  8/20/2012 12:57:35 PM
  
  The guy is a politician, mooching off the taxpayer. Of course he's an idiot? You expected something different?
  
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  Name: V .
  
  8/20/2012 12:56:51 PM
  
  HE ran to Huckabee to save him? Mr Chick-Fil-A? Good job Missouri.
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/20/2012 11:10:30 AM
  
  Why even comment on abortion? The Supreme Court legislated this already and it is not going to be changed anytime soon, if ever. There are too many voters on both extremes that actually use abortion as a single issue when voting; they deserve wha they get but unfortunately the rest of us have to live with their stupid votes.
  
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  Name: M C.
  
  8/20/2012 10:28:26 AM
  
  They just need to keep an aspirin between their knees, right?
  
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  Name: eddy a.
  
  8/20/2012 7:47:04 AM
  
  Mouth function before brain if he has one.Is this the best that the show-me-state can do.
  
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  Name: Kyle W.
  
  8/20/2012 1:50:19 AM
  
  And does this tool have a medical degree? Where does his knowlegde come from on saying that "a woman's body can shut it down" crap come from?
  
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  Name: Bobby M.
  
  8/20/2012 1:43:50 AM
  
  It was a stupid comment that will likely hurt all of us. Senator McCaskill is terrible.
  
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  Name: Dan t.
  
  8/20/2012 12:20:37 AM
  
  White man speaks out both sides of his mouth ...lol
  
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