Another Nail in the Coffin

This race is no longer a marathon, it's a sprint. Senator McCaskill's most recent campaign ad "Unfit" espouses he won't be able to reach the finish line.

This ad is a clear repetition of her campaign theme to date: Akin is too extreme.

This one takes a different angle by establishing the credibility of Akin's party against him. Romney, the current face of the Republican party, gets the starting video sequence as he explains why he can't support Akin.

The focus narrows to Missouri as the news reports Akin wouldn't be allowed to attend the RNC. Republican Senators Roy Blunt, John Danforth and Kit Bond are singled out as having withdrawn support for Akin.

The ad closes with clips from John McCain and Romney speaking on how Akin will never belong with the Republican Party. While he drew flack from everyone, the ad includes specifically Republican names prominent to Missouri voters and then associates them negatively.

The deliberate timing of this ad ensures that when voters get into the booth and see "Mitt Romney," they might remember "Anyone but Akin."

Biting Back

Akin's campaign responded through Rick Tyler by claiming McCaskill was trying to distract everybody from her record. Well, Mr. Tyler, you can't keep people from looking at one wreck by pointing and shouting at another that only you can see.

Consistent with the race at large, Akin's campaign didn't deny the charges of extremism. Their response?

"She's a liberal."
(Image courtesy of The American Prospect)

Well, compared to Akin, so is almost everyone else. Conservatives believe full well that if you know a person's character, you know how they'll act. Akin is fallen.

Do you believe he still has a chance?