So it turns out that after all the condemnations and repudiations, the National Republican Senatorial Committee really did put big money behind Rep. Todd Akin’s (R) Missouri Senate bid.
In a blistering statement, Democrats allege that the new FEC filings prove the NRSC was “underhanded and dishonest” in Missouri this year.
Late Thursday night, USA Today reported the NRSC “pumped $760,000 into the Show-Me State” in the closing days of the Senate contest. That fits with late October speculation about the NRSC’s actions. The NRSC money went to the Missouri Republican Party’s federal campaign committee in two installments of $360,000 and $400,000 each, on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, USA Today reported:
The state party reported paying almost exactly that amount — $756,000 — to Strategic Media Placement, an Ohio firm that Akin had used to buy his TV ad time, on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. The state party’s FEC report shows the funds were for “W. Todd Akin.”
Because of the filing schedule for the FEC, those transactions on Akin’s behalf did not have to be publicly disclosed until after the election. At the time, the group refused to comment on the rumors it was helping Akin despite blanket condemnations and refusals to assist from NRSC and other establishment GOP leadership.
The NRSC also declined TPM’s request for comment on the USA Today story. But Democrats fired off a salvo suggesting Akin — who Democrats turned into a national figure during the election thanks to his “legitimate rape” remarks — still resonates with them several weeks after Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) defeated him by nearly 16 points.
“It is not only wrong that the NRSC would provide funds to support a dangerous extremist like Todd Akin,” said Matt Canter, spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “It was underhanded and dishonest that they would purposely mislead the public about their actions.”
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