Friday, October 12, 2012

McCaskill campaign demands details of Todd Akin's arrest

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

Two weeks ago, a 2011 video surfaced showing a light-hearted Todd Akin telling supporters about an arrest outside a women’s health clinic, for which he apparently spent time in jail. After initially sharing vague details with reporters, such as admitting the arrest occurred in his late 30’s or early 40’s, Akin’s campaign promised that more information would be forthcoming. Now, both Akin and his spokesperson are adamantly refusing to even speak about the matter, leaving troubling questions with Missouri voters about what Akin may be hiding.

"Todd Akin has an impossibly steep climb with Missouri’s women voters, and he still hasn’t explained why he was arrested at a women's health clinic," said Caitlin Legacki, McCaskill for Missouri spokeswoman. "It’s not too much to ask that Missourians know the arrest history of their candidates for U.S. Senate, and when Todd Akin flatly refuses to detail where or why he was arrested, it raises eyebrows for Missouri women who are already concerned with his extreme beliefs. What is Todd Akin hiding about his past that he doesn’t want us to know?”

After promising to disclose information about the arrest, Akin’s senior advisor made new headlines last week when he abruptly tried to put the story to bed. The outstanding questions remained, however, and Akin was pressed for details during his interview with the Springfield News-Leader’s editorial board. Akin refused to answer, as the paper reported Monday:

Akin also refused to disclose any further details about an arrest two decades ago during an anti-abortion rally.

Akin told reporters about the arrest during a Sept. 28 press conference in Kansas City, but has since refused to talk about the issue.

“I just don’t think we need to go back into ancient history,” he said on Monday.

Among the outstanding questions that Missouri voters deserve to have answered:
  • Why was Akin arrested and who was he arrested with?
  • Was he charged with a crime -- and if so, what was he charged with?
  • Did he serve time in jail -- and if so, how much time?
  • Will he release a police report outlining the details of the incident?
  • Why the sudden change of heart after promising to provide details about the arrest?

No comments: