McCaskill ad hits Todd Akin for comparing student loans to Stage 3 cancer

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

McCaskill for Missouri 2012 released a new ad today in which Missouri’s students respond to Todd Akin’s claim that federal student loans are the “stage III cancer of socialism.” The ad, which features comments Akin made at a debate hosted by the University of Missouri College Republicans, is running statewide.

“Todd Akin’s positions are not only outside Missouri’s mainstream, but they’d have a devastating impact on Missouri’s students and families,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. “Federal student loans are the first rung on the ladder for 185,000 Missouri students who are trying to pull themselves up. Whether it’s ending affordable student loans, privatizing Medicare and Social Security or abolishing the minimum wage, Missouri’s families can’t afford to have a Senator like Todd Akin, who simply isn’t on our side.”

At the debate in April, Akin was asked if he would support funding to keep federal student loans at an affordable rate. If Congress had failed to act, student loan interest rates would have doubled on July 1. Akin responded by comparing student loans to “stage III cancer of socialism” and said we should end federal funding for these programs.