MISSOURI [RealClearPolitics Poll Page]
Current RCP average: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) 45.5, Rep. Todd Akin (R) 40.0
We can expect a few more twists and turns in this crucial race that could eventually tip the balance in the Senate. McCaskill started the year as one of the most-endangered incumbents, and three major Repubican candidates lined up to take her on. In the midst of the back-and-forth GOP primary, McCaskill and her allies provided some "unsolicited" help to Akin, whom they viewed as the Republican they could paint as an unacceptable alternative.
As is well-known by now, Akin won the primary, and then promptly showed why the Democrats were hoping for him as an opponent, as he made controversial and widely condemned remarks about the likelihood of conception resulting from sexual assault. Akin apologized, but refused to drop off the ballot, despite virtually every major Repubilcan in the country calling for him to do so.
After an initial plunge in the polls, however, Akin's "going rogue" approach got some traction and two new polls show him with one or two points. Essentially, McCaskill is back polling in the low-40s (where she's pretty much always been), but now Akin is down there with her. We'll need to stay tuned to see where this one goes next.
