Written by
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
There was a big turn out Friday morning at Hickory Log in Dexter as many citizens excitingly awaited the arrival of Congressman Todd Akin. The Stoddard County Republican Club sponsored this event. There were many interested citizens, elected officials, and members of the club in attendance.
Carol Beam, a very active member in the Republican Club, started the event by talking about the Stoddard County Republican club. Carol noted that candidates would come in to talk to the club to inform them. “We need to be informed,” said Beam, “This is the most important election of our lifetime.”
After a few minutes of information about the club, Carol Beam had the privilege of introducing the guest speaker of the day, Todd Akin. On November 6th, Akin will be running for U.S. Senate against Claire Mccaskill who currently holds the position.
Akin started the speaking event with, “Thanks so much for coming out and for the understanding you show about where we are as a nation and the seriousness of the times we face.”
Akin said he was offered a lot of advice from a lot of people, some from the top level telling him to step-down in the race. He noted that he stopped and asked himself what was the right thing to do.
“Over the years my rule of thumb has been, what’s the principle, what’s the right thing to do, and to dickens with the politics,” Akin noted about the decision he faced of whether or not to stay in the race.
“When you as a state elect somebody and then the party bosses want to appoint somebody different, that’s not a good idea. We decided I was chosen to replace Mccaskill, and we’re focused on that.”
Akin made it known that his point is that we have to stand on principle. “I’ve been a Republican for twenty-four years and the very last thing I would want to do is in anyway divide the party. I have one thing I’m focused on and that’s replacing Claire Mccaskill. "Akin said he’s been traveling a lot throughout the state of Missouri and his confidence in the state is only growing. Akin notes that he feels Missourians take the U.S. Constitution seriously.
“As Americans, we always get right back up. We learn from our mistakes. America is built one dream at a time. In this election it’s our opportunity to fight for freedom in America. God bless you.”
After Akin finished his speaking, Carol Beam returned to the microphone to say congressman Akin would take a short break before question and answers would begin.
As the question and answer session began, many people were eager to get some feed back from their answers from Akin. Some of the questions from concerned citizens included: Mccaskill’s voting record, spiritual state of the nation, and views on social security.
Akin reminds everyone to take a closer look at how elected officials voted.
Akin concluded the question and answer session by saying, “God bless you all and thank you for being here today.”
Carol Beam returned to the microphone one last time to conclude the event. She reminded everyone of certain events the Republican club holds, and invited everyone to talk to elected officials in attendance. “Todd Akin is a man of character and integrity. We need to get behind him and support him with our prayers.”
