1. Wim Wenders

William Todd Akin (born July 5, 1947) is an American politician and businessman who is a former U.S. Representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district, serving from 2001 to 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party.

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Born in New York City, Akin grew up in the Greater St. Louis area. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, Akin served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and worked in the private sector in the computer and steel industries. In 1988, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He served in the state house until 2000, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, in which he served until 2013.

Akin's Congressional career ended after he lost a bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in the 2012 election. Akin, who had won the Republican primary in a crowded field, led McCaskill in pre-election polls until he said that women who are victims of what he called 'legitimate rape' rarely get pregnant. Akin eventually apologized for the remark but rebuffed calls to withdraw from the election.^[1] He lost to McCaskill by 54.7 percent to 39.2 percent.^[2] In a book published in July 2014, Akin said that he regretted apologizing and defended his original comments.[2]^{[citation needed]}

• 2Missouri House of Representatives
• 3U.S. House of Representatives
  • 3.2Tenure
• 42012 U.S. Senate election

Early life, education, and business career[edit]

Akin was born in New York City, and raised in the St. Louis area. He is the son of Nancy Perry (née Bigelow) and Paul Bigelow Akin.^[3][4][5]

Akin's great-grandfather, Thomas Russell Akin, founded Laclede Steel Corporation of St. Louis in 1911.^[6] The company eventually passed to his grandfather, William Akin, and then to his father Paul, a third-generation graduate of Harvard University who served as an officer in the Navy during World War II.^[3][4]

Akin graduated from John Burroughs School, a private prep school in suburban St. Louis,^[4] and went on to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, earning a B.S. in Management Engineering in 1970.

After graduation, Akin served as an engineer officer in the National Guard of the U.S. Army,^[7] then served in the Army Reserve until 1980.^[8] After leaving active duty, Akin sold large computer systems for IBM, then worked as a manager in his family's steel business.^[7]

Akin earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1984 from Covenant Theological Seminary where he studied Greek, Hebrew, and a socially conservative interpretation of the Christian scriptures. He did not enter the ministry.^[9]

Akin is a longtime pro-life activist and former member of the board of Missouri Right to Life.^[10] He was arrested for trespass at least eight times between 1985 and 1988 while demonstrating against abortion in front of abortion clinics in Illinois and Missouri.^[11][12][13] He has said the protests were peaceful and he would not apologize for standing up for his beliefs.^[12][14] At the time of the arrests, he was using the name 'William Akin'; after that period, when he ran for political office, it was as 'Todd Akin'.^[12]

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Missouri House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

Akin was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in November 1988, running unopposed to represent District 85 in West County.^[15] He won re-election in 1990 with 59% of the vote.^[16] Due to re-districting, Akin represented District 86 from 1993 through 2000, never winning less than 66% of the vote.^{[17][18][19][20]}

Tenure[edit]

Akin served as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.^[21] During his 12 years in the state house, Akin advocated for homeschool rights,^[22] voted for carrying concealed weapons, voted against the parks and soils sales tax, and voted against the 1993 tax increase and education spending increase.^[23] Akin sponsored legislation to prohibit casino companies from contributing to Missouri state lawmakers.^[24] In 1995, he fought Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan over a bill providing state funding for school nurses. Ultimately, the governor refused to sign the funding bill due to Akin's amendment, which would have prohibited nurses from telling students about sources for information about abortion.^[25]

U.S. House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

In 2000, Akin ran in the Republican primary election to fill the House seat vacated by U.S. RepresentativeJim Talent, who was running for governor. Light voter turnout caused by heavy rains helped Akin win the tight, five-way primary by just 56 votes; he defeated two better-known candidates, former St. Louis County Executive Gene McNary and State SenatorFranc Flotron.^[4][26][27] On the night he won the primary, Akin said, 'My base will show up in earthquakes.'^[22] He defeated Democratic State Senator Ted House in the general election, winning 55 percent of the vote.^[28] He never faced another contest as close, and was reelected five times. In 2010, Akin won re-election with 67.9% of the vote.^[29] He had been challenged for the seat by Democratic nominee Arthur Lieber, Libertarian nominee Steve Mosbacher, and write-in candidate Patrick M. Cannon.

Tenure[edit]

Akin earned a 96% rating from the American Conservative Union in 2008, and 100% in 2007.^[30]

For most of his tenure, Akin was listed in the official House roll as 'R-St. Louis,' even though his district didn't include any portion of the city of St. Louis.^[31]

Social issues[edit]

Akin is an outspoken opponent of abortion in all cases, including health reasons or in cases of rape or incest, and he opposes embryonic stem cell research. In a 2008 speech on the House floor, Akin called abortion providers 'terrorists' and alleged that it was 'common practice' for abortion providers to perform 'abortions' on women who were not actually pregnant.^[32][33]

Akin is a supporter of the right to keep and bear arms and has an A rating from the National Rifle Association.^[34] Akin has stated that he has supported many bills including the Second Amendment Sovereignty Act of 2012, The Sportsmen's Heritage Act and the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act.^{[citation needed]} Akin is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online poker. In 2006, he co-sponsored H.R. 4411, the Goodlatte-Leach Internet Gambling Prohibition Act,^[35] and H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.^[36]

Akin also authored the Protect the Pledge (of Allegiance) Act.^[27] In late June 2011, Akin objected to NBC's recent removal of the words 'under God' from a video clip of school children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. After remarking that 'NBC has a long record of being very liberal,' Akin said, 'at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God'.^[37] Two days later, Akin said he did not mean all liberals hate God, only that liberals have 'a hatred for public references for God.' The next day, he apologized, saying his statement had been 'directed at the political movement, Liberalism, not at any specific individual'.^[38]

During his 2012 US Senate bid, Akin reaffirmed his opposition to legislation like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which he voted against as a Congressman.^[39]

Todd Akin is an opponent of the No Child Left Behind Act. Akin believes that it should not be the federal government that decides on education, but that local government should have control over public education.^[40]

Wim Wenders

On MSNBC, Todd Akin opposes evolution. He was running for the senate seat in Missouri at the time. He has said 'I take a look at both sides of the thing and it seems to me that evolution takes a tremendous amount of faith. I don't even see it as a matter of science because I don't know if you can prove..'.^[41]

Fiscal issues[edit]

In his early years in Congress, Akin brought back earmarks for his district, voted to raise the debt ceiling, voted for off-balance-sheet wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and voted to create the unfunded Medicare prescription drug benefit.^[27] More recently, he has opposed increases in taxation and spending. He voted in 2007 against an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), objecting to its potential coverage of children in families making up to $62,000 a year, and stating that proof of U.S. citizenship was not required. He also said the bill would 'weaken the private health care system' and lead the country 'further down the slippery slope to socialized medicine.'^[42] He has voted against federally funded school breakfasts and lunches, and called student loans 'a stage-three cancer of socialism'.^[27] He has also voted against increasing the minimum wage.^[27] He was a vocal critic of the September 2008 bank bailout, and voted against it.^[43] He voted no on the Affordable Health Care Act in March 2010,^[44] and on Paul Ryan's fiscal year 2012 budget.^[45]

Military issues[edit]

Akin has spent time working on military and veterans issues. On the House Armed Services Committee he served as the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which handles Navy and Air Force issues. He has served as Ranking Republican on the Seapower Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. Akin has also introduced veterans-related bills, most notably the Open Burn Pit Registry Act, which creates a registry for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were exposed to burn pits. He opposed repeal of the Dover Policy, which banned media coverage of caskets of troops returning home from overseas, citing privacy and decorum issues.^[46]

Committee assignments[edit]

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces (Chairman)
• Committee on Science, Space and Technology

Caucus memberships[edit]

2012 U.S. Senate election[edit]

In mid-May 2011, Akin announced he would seek the Republican nomination in 2012 to unseat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill.^[47] Other candidates in the August 2012 Republican primary included businessman John Brunner,^[48] author and business executive Mark Memoly,^[49] and former Missouri TreasurerSarah Steelman who had backing from the TEA Party.^[50][51]Despite losing some momentum and in a crowded field, Akin won the Republican nomination in the August 7 open primary, 36% to 30% for his nearest challenger.^[52] The Claire McCaskill campaign spent $2 million during the primaries, despite not having a primary opponent. That money was spent on advertising touting Akin as 'Too conservative,' for Missouri.^[53] In 2012, National Journal named Akin one of ten Republicans to follow on Twitter.^[54]

Akin faced McCaskill and Libertarian nominee Jonathan Dine in the general election, losing to McCaskill after his controversial comments on rape lost him a great deal of support.

Home of record[edit]

In May 2011, questions were raised about Akin's official address for voting. For most of his political career, Akin had claimed Town and Country as his official residence. However, according to the Associated Press and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Akin moved to Wildwood, in far western St. Louis County, sometime between 2007 and 2009, after he and his wife purchased a second home there. However, he continued to vote as a Town and Country resident, and signed a polling place logbook attesting to his living there in April 2011.^[55][56]

Controversial comments on 'legitimate rape' and pregnancy[edit]

In a local news interview, on August 19, 2012, discussing abortion, Akin claimed that victims of what he described as 'legitimate rape' very rarely become pregnant. Airing on St. Louis television station KTVI, his response to a question on rape exceptions for abortion was:

Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.But let's assume that maybe that didn't work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.^[57]

The comments from Akin, which came as he ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by Claire McCaskill, almost immediately led to widespread uproar. The term 'legitimate rape' was called 'loathsome' because it suggests that 'there are different categories of rape — some real and awful and others that are not'.^[58] Others took exception to the phrasing because it suggests that the victims who do become pregnant from rape may be lying. His claims about the likelihood of pregnancy resulting from rape were seen by some as being based on fringe ideas like stress-induced miscarriage or Dr. John C. Willke's 'spastic tubes' theory introduced in 1985^[59] and trauma-based theory introduced in 1999.^[60] These theories are not accepted by the majority of the scientific and medical community.^[61][62] Akin was not the first to make such claims, but was perhaps one of the most recently prominent.^[63]

The comment was widely characterized as misogynistic and recklessly inaccurate, with many commentators remarking on the use of the words 'legitimate rape'.^[64][65][66] Related news articles cited a 1996 article in an obstetrics and gynecology journal, which found that 5% of women who were raped became pregnant, which equaled about 32,000 pregnancies each year in the US alone.^[67] A separate 2003 article in the journal Human Nature estimated that rapes are twice as likely to result in pregnancies as consensual sex.^[68]

While some colleagues such as Iowa congressman Steve King^[69] and Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield^[70] supported Akin, senior figures in both parties condemned his remarks and some Republicans called for him to resign.^[71][72][73] In the resulting furor, Akin received widespread calls to drop out of his Senate race from both Republicans and Democrats.^[74]

Akin apologized for his gaffe, saying he 'misspoke.' His campaign ran an advertisement in which he asked voters to forgive him, saying:

Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them. The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.^[75]

The incident was seen as having an impact on Akin's senate race and the Republicans' chances of gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate,^[76] by making news in the week before the 2012 Republican National Convention and by 'shift[ing] the national discussion to divisive social issues that could repel swing voters rather than economic issues that could attract them'.^[77]

Election result[edit]

Before the comments, Akin had been favored to win his race against McCaskill, but he lost in November, 54.7 percent to 39.2 percent.^[2] His loss was attributed to backlash from women voters.^[1] After the election, between November 2012 and August 2013, Akin received $111,000 in donations that in part were for the 2018 Senate primaries.^[78]

Aftermath[edit]

In July 2014, Akin's book, Firing Back: Taking on the Party Bosses and Media Elite to Protect Our Faith and Freedom, was published by WND Books. In it, he said that he regretted apologizing, because 'by asking the public at large for forgiveness, I was validating the willful misinterpretation of what I had said.' He also defended his original comments and attacked various Republicans for 'wronging' him, including Karl Rove; former National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Rob Jesmer; Senators Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, John McCain, Roy Blunt and Lindsey Graham; and House Speaker John Boehner. He also repeatedly attacked the Republican establishment for seeing his comments 'as their opportunity to take [me] out and select someone more palatable to their tastes', and the 'liberal media' for making him 'the target of a media assassination.'^[79]

Personal life[edit]

Akin married Lulli Boe, a graduate of Hollins University, in June 1975.^[80][81] The couple has six children. Lulli became a home schooling activist, and all of the children were home-schooled.^[4][9] Three sons attended the Naval Academy and became officers in the Marines.^[27] One of his sons served in the assault on Fallujah, Iraq.^[46]

Akin enjoys playing guitar and singing gospel songs, and over the years, has dressed in Revolutionary War attire for Fourth of July celebrations.^[9]

Akin and his wife lived for many years in his childhood home, a house owned by his father in affluent Town and Country, Missouri. When his father sought to subdivide the 8.5-acre property in the late 2000s, Akin moved to a house in Wildwood.^[22]

Electoral history[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abHaberkorn, Jennifer (November 6, 2012). 'Abortion, rape controversy shaped key races'. Politico.
2. ^ ^ab'Missouri Senate election results 2012: Claire McCaskill beats Todd Akin for second term'. politico.com. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
3. ^ ^abAnnouncements, The New York Times, September 9, 1944, Section Sports, Page 21.
4. ^ ^abcdeEligon, John (August 21, 2012). 'A Politician Whose Faith Is Central to His Persistence'. The New York Times.
5. ^Penniman, G.W.; Bigelow, P.; Penniman, G.D. (1987). The Penniman Family: To 1980. Penniman Family. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
6. ^Laclede Steel Names Chief, The New York Times, Business and Finance Section, March 26, 1966.
7. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri, 1993–1994^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 157
8. ^BiographyArchived 2012-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, Congressman Todd Akin, Missouri's 2nd District, retrieved 2012-08-23.
9. ^ ^abcMcCrummen, Stephanie & Fahrenthold, David A. (August 22, 2012). 'Akin's agenda wins loyalty of Christian groups'. Washington Post.
10. ^Todd Akin Senate Campaign 2012 web site, On the Issues: Life, http://www.akin.org/issues/life, accessed 2012-11-04.
11. ^Friedman, Dan (November 3, 2012). 'Akin was Arrested at Least Eight Times in 1980s'. Hotline On Call. NationalJournal.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-05.
12. ^ ^abcMcDermott, Kevin (October 24, 2012). 'Todd Akin was arrested at least three times during '80s abortion protests'. St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
13. ^Kim, Seung Min (September 28, 2012). 'Akin speaks about old arrest at abortion clinic'. Politico. Retrieved 2012-11-03.
14. ^'2 top Mo. Republicans reverse course, come back to Akin's side in contentious Senate race'. The Washington Post. September 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
15. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri 1989–1990^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 669.
16. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri 1991–1992^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 506.
17. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri, 1993–1994^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 716.
18. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri, 1995–1996^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 541.
19. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri 1997–1998^{[permanent dead link]} p. 574.
20. ^ ^abOfficial Manual of the State of Missouri 1999–2000^{[permanent dead link]} p. 571.
21. ^'Tangled Politics Of Coming Election Apply Ice To Missouri's Tax-Cut Fever'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1996-04-07.
22. ^ ^abcPistor, Nicholas J.C. (August 21, 2012). 'Akin in Ohio as deadline to exit race passes'. St Louis Today. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
23. ^'For The Missouri House – Iv'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1996-11-01.
24. ^'Casinos Decry Proposal To Stop Contributions Similar Efforts Have Withstood Court Challenges'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1998-03-17.
25. ^'Carnahan blasts 'extremists''. The Southeast Missourian. The Associated Press. May 14, 1995. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
26. ^'U.S. Representative – District 2 – Summary'. Office of Secretary of State, Missouri. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
27. ^ ^abcdefHorrigan, Kevin (August 21, 2012). 'Horrigan: The world discovers the weirdness of Todd Akin. Darn it'. St. Louis Today. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
28. ^'U.S. Representative – District 2 – Summary'. Office of Secretary of State, Missouri. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
29. ^'Missouri'. Election 2010. The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
30. ^Barone, Michael; Richard E. Cohen (2009). The Almanac of American Politics 2010. Washington, D.C.: National Journal. p. 875. ISBN978-0-89234-119-1.
31. ^See, for example, the official House member list during Akin's last term in the House.
32. ^'Akin In 2008: Doctors Give Abortions To Patients Who Aren't Pregnant'. KMOX CBS. October 3, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
33. ^McDermott, Kevin (October 3, 2012). 'Long before 'legitimate rape' comment, Akin alleged abortions on non-pregnant women'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
34. ^'2nd Amendment Todd Akin for Senate'. Akin.org. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
35. ^'Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4411'. Thomas.loc.gov. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
36. ^'Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4777'. Thomas.loc.gov. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
37. ^Colby Hochmuth (June 28, 2011). 'Lawmaker Apologizes for Liberal 'Hatred of God' Quip'. Fox News. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
38. ^Jason Hancock (June 29, 2011). 'Akin changes course, apologizes for comment'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
39. ^Reese, Diana (October 1, 2012). 'Todd Akin on women's issues in Kansas City campaign stop'. Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
40. ^'2nd Amendment Todd Akin for Senate'. Akin.org. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
41. ^NEWSROOMMSNBC, Youtube, NEWSROOMMSNBC
42. ^Mannies, Jo (October 4, 2007). 'Mo Dems- GOP split over SCHIP, while protesters target Bond, who backs SCHIP'. St Louis Today.
43. ^Mannies, Jo. 'Bailout critic Akin also target of spray-paint vandals'. St Louis Today.
44. ^'Charting the votes, the money and the uninsured'. St Louis Post-Dispatch. March 24, 2010.
45. ^'Akin Supports Ryan Budget'. Archived from the original on 2012-09-21.
46. ^ ^abRose, Sean (February 26, 2009). 'McCaskill, Skelton support Dover repeal; Akin unhappy'. St Louis Today.
47. ^'Congressman running for Senate introduces himself to the Heartland'. KTVO-TV Heartland Connection.com. 2011-05-20. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
48. ^'Todd Akin announces Missouri Senate bid'. RollCall.com. 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
49. ^'Filing day across Christian County'. Springfield News-Leader via website. 2012-03-06. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
50. ^Catanese, David (December 1, 2010). 'Inaugural scoop: Steelman files for Senate'. Politico. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
51. ^'Missouri primary is latest test of Tea Party influence, with Wisconsin, Arizona on horizon Fox News'. foxnews.com. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
52. ^'Election Night Reporting'. MO Secretary of State. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
53. ^'Why Claire McCaskill wants Todd Akin to stay in Missouri race'. CS Monitor. August 21, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
54. ^'Ten Republicans to follow on Twitter,' by Adam Mazmanian, National Journal, August 27, 2012, Retrieved November 20, 2015.
55. ^'Todd Akin votes in Town and Country'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch website. 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
56. ^'Missouri Rep. Akin voting, living at different places'. Associated Press via KMOV-TV. 2011-05-31. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
57. ^Jaco, Charles. 'The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012'. Fox News. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
58. ^The Washington Post Editorial Board (20 Aug 2012). 'The repugnant code behind Todd Akin's words'. Retrieved 9 Oct 2016.
59. ^Belluck, Pam (2012-08-21). 'Health Experts Dismiss Assertions on Rape'. The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
60. ^Rape Pregnancies Are RareArchived 2013-04-19 at the Wayback Machine by John Willke. christianliferesources.com.
61. ^'A Canard That Will Not Die: 'Legitimate Rape' Doesn't Cause Pregnancy'. The Atlantic. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
62. ^Graham, David A. (August 22, 2012). 'Video of the Day: 'Forcible Rape' and Paul Ryan's Akin Problem'. The Atlantic. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
63. ^Kliff, Sarah (August 20, 2012). 'Rep. Todd Akin is wrong about rape and pregnancy, but he's not alone'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
64. ^DiSalvo, David. 'Republican Senate Nominee Todd Akin: Victims Of 'Legitimate Rape' Don't Get Pregnant'. Forbes. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
65. ^Abouhalkah, Yael T. 'Todd Akin's rape fantasy'. Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2013-09-01. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
66. ^Eligon, John (August 19, 2012). 'Senate Candidate Provokes Ire With 'Legitimate Rape' Comment'. The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
67. ^Holmes, Melisa M.; Resnick, Heidi S.; Kilpatrick, Dean G.; Best, Connie L. (1996). 'Rape-related pregnancy: Estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women'. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 175 (2): 320–4, discussion 324–5. doi:10.1016/S0002-9378(96)70141-2. PMID8765248. Cited in: Blake, Aaron. 'Todd Akin, GOP Senate candidate: 'Legitimate rape' rarely causes pregnancy'. Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
68. ^Gottschall, Jonathan A.; Gottschall, Tiffani A. (2003). 'Are per-incident rape-pregnancy rates higher than per-incident consensual pregnancy rates?'. Human Nature. 14: 1–20. doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1014-0. Cited in: Robillard, Kevin. 'Doctors: Todd Akin pregnancy claim bogus'. Politico. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
69. ^'Rep. Steve King backs up Todd Akin, weighs in on rape and abortion'. CBS News. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
70. ^'Sen. Campfield Continues to Embarrass Tennessee'. Tennesseean. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
71. ^'Leading social conservatives rally to Akin's defense'. CNN. CNN. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
72. ^Seung Min Kim (August 21, 2012). 'List of senators calling on Akin to quit keeps growing'. Politico. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
73. ^Costa, Robert. 'Romney: Akin's Comment 'Inexcusable''.
74. ^Killough, Ashley (August 20, 2012). 'GOP chair: Akin should drop out, skip convention'. CNN. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
75. ^Burns, Alexander. 'Akin ad asks for 'forgiveness''. Politico. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
76. ^Akin Vows to Stay in Race After 'Legitimate Rape' Gaffe NBC 10 Philadelphia Scott Ross Monday, Aug 20, 2012 Updated 6:56 PM EDT
77. ^Akin imbroglio is bad news for Republicans Tom Cohen, CNN updated 3:23 PM EDT, Wed August 22, 2012
78. ^Kevin McDermott (August 20, 2013), 'A year after 'legitimate rape,' the money's still trickling in for Akin', St. Louis Post-Dispatch, retrieved 2013-12-28
79. ^'Todd Akin returns to national stage'. Politico. July 10, 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
80. ^Official Manual of the State of Missouri 1989–1990^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 135.
81. ^Class of 1972 Reunion AttendeesArchived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine, Hollins Alumnae page, Hollins University.
82. ^2000 Election Results Federal Election Commission. Mike Odell, Green Party, also received 2,907 votes, 1% of the total votes.
83. ^'Secretary of State Official Election Results 2002'. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
84. ^2004 Election Results Federal Election Commission, p 119.
85. ^2006 Election Results U.S. House of Representatives Federal Election Commission, p.82.
86. ^2008 Election Results U.S. House of Representatives, Federal Election Commission, p.125.
87. ^Official Election Results U.S. House of Representatives, 2010, Federal Election Commission, p.95.
88. ^Official Election ReturnsArchived February 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, State of Missouri Secretary of State, November 30, 2010.
89. ^[1]

External links[edit]

• U.S. Congressman Todd Akin official U.S. House site
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress

Reverend and The Makers are an English rock band from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed 'The Reverend'. Their debut album, The State of Things (2007), helped them gain success in Britain and spawned the UK top 10 single 'Heavyweight Champion of the World'. The band released their second album, A French Kiss in the Chaos (2009), which led to them being invited to support Oasis on their final tour, playing venues such as Wembley Stadium. The band's third studio album, @Reverend_Makers, was released in 2012, and their fourth studio album, ThirtyTwo, was released in 2014.

• 1History
• 3Other activities
• 5Discography

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

In late 2005, McClure brought several musicians together for Reverend and The Makers. Like his previous bands, The Makers included co-songwriter Ed Cosens, this time playing bass. The rest of The Makers consisted of Dave Sanderson (guitars), Joe Moskow (keyboards), Richy Westley (drums, formerly of Hoggboy) and Laura Manuel (vocals), and occasionally Simon Stafford on trombone. Sanderson was dismissed in July 2006 after the band completed their first headline UK tour and replaced by Gledhill guitarist Tom Jarvis.

Late in 2005, fellow Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys released their debut single, and McClure was hounded by major record labels, reportedly offering him sums of up to £150,000 to make an album like Arctic Monkeys.^{[citation needed]} McClure declined the offer, and decided to do everything his own way, managing to sell out The Plug in Sheffield twice, a venue with a capacity of 1,000 people, while still unsigned. It was not until the following year that McClure met Mark Jones in a club in London when he asked him for a lighter. The two got talking and Mark Jones came to see Reverend and the Makers at the next show. Jones reportedly proclaimed the band as the 'best band in the world' and signed them to his label Wall of Sound Records.

Reverend and The Makers released a 9-track demo in 2006, entitled 'Ten Songs'. The artwork included a track list with ten songs, track 10 being 'Paris at Night'. However this song was not made available for download; it only surfaced on the internet in August 2007. The demos were recorded at 2Fly Studios, and produced by Alan Smyth, McClure acknowledges the work Smyth put into the demos by accrediting the debut single; 'Heavyweight Champion of The World' as McClure/Cosens/Smyth. Reverend and the Makers' music is a mix of indie guitar pop, electronica and a touch of Madchester-esque funk. Some of the internet demos feature members of other notable Sheffield musicians such as Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Tim Hampton (Bromheads Jacket) and Mike Hughes (Little Ze). One of Reverend's inspirations is Manchesterperformance poetJohn Cooper Clarke and Reverend often performs his own poems, of a similar style, in between songs during his live sets. One of the B-sides to the debut single 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' is a poem entitled 'Last Resort' in which John Cooper Clarke and McClure read alternate stanzas. This poem was also duetted live when the band played live at Shoreditch's Spread Eagle in the first tour in May 2006.

In April 2006, Reverend and The Makers were support to the Arctic Monkeys on their sold out UK tour, exposing the band to larger audiences and bigger venues. This was followed by their own first UK tour in May and June, selling out dates in Shoreditch, London and The Plug in home-town Sheffield on the final night. A second tour followed in October 2006, showing great progression as a band. The sound was much tighter and far more advanced than on their previous tour.

The State of Things and breakthrough (2007–08)[edit]

In 2008, Reverend and The Makers set a date for their first release and undertook a UK tour, including several festivals over the summer period including Glastonbury Festival, Carling Weekend, T in the Park and T4 on the Beach as well as supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hampden Park, Glasgow. In January 2008, Reverend and The Makers toured Australia.^[4]

Their first release was 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' on 28 May 2007 and featured the B-Sides '18–30' and 'The Last Resort' featuring John Cooper Clarke. The single takes its name from a line in A Kestrel for a Knave a novel by Barry Hines and a favourite book of McClure. The single is available on both CD and 7' vinyl formats, including a limited edition 'White Vinyl' release. The single was released for download on 6 May and reached #38 in the UK single chart on download only. The album, entitled The State of Things, was recorded over the Christmas period and was released on Wall of Sound on 17 September 2007. The album features songs co-written and performed with Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and one track co-written and with guest vocals from Tim Hampton of Bromheads Jacket, other tracks include vocals by Steve Edwards.

In June 2008, drummer Richy Westley left the group to form his own band Strange and Partners. In August 2008 frontman Jon McClure said he would quit music after their next album,^[5] although a month later he changed his mind.^[6] The inconsistency of McClure's actions has led many critics in the music press to report negatively towards the move.^{[citation needed]} Welsh band Future of the Left joked of their delight at the band's split at live shows on their tour at the time, as can be heard on their live album Last Night I Saved Her from Vampires.^[7] McClure has a new project, Mongrel, with a single 'Hit from the Morning Sun' due to be released in February 2009.^[8]

A French Kiss in the Chaos (2009–10)[edit]

Early 2009, it was announced that Tom Jarvis has left the band, and has been replaced by Tom Rowley (ex-Milburn), Rowley was already a good friend of McClure, and contributed to the first album by co-writing the tracks 'Bandits' and 'Miss Brown'.

The band supported Oasis, along with Kasabian and The Enemy for their sold out summer tour in 2009. The band released their follow up to 2007's The State of Things, with A French Kiss in the Chaos. The album was released in June and the opening single, 'Silence Is Talking' was featured during the band's three night run at Wembley Stadium. The band released a second single, 'No Soap (in a Dirty War)' in October.

McClure was in the media spotlight for his personal views in July 2009, after an interview in which he commented on Jade Goody's death earlier in the year; 'it's sad she died and it's good more girls are getting smear tests but let's not forget she was a talentless racist'.^[9]He has also been in the media recently speaking out about the UK's involvement in the Iraq War, requesting that fellow musicians, particularly the Arctic Monkeys, his contemporaries from Sheffield, focus on real issues and to 'not write songs about girls at bus stops any more like me and Monkeys used to do, let's start talking about what's happening man as otherwise you know where we gonna go, we're going down the toilet aren't we?'.^[10]

In December, it was announced via McClure's Twitter that Andy Nicholson, his fellow member in Mongrel and ex-Arctic Monkeys bassist would join the band for their third album. NME published the story on its website soon after.^[11]

Hiatus and @Reverend_Makers (2010–2012)[edit]

McClure announced via his Twitter in July 2011 that 'the recording of the Reverend and The Makers 3rd album is underway'.^[12]

In August 2011, the band posted a new track called 'Riot' on their YouTube page, in response to the 2011 England Riots.

It was announced in January 2012 that the band had completed work for the third album, scheduled for a release later that year. The band also revealed that they will be supporting Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on their UK Arena tour in spring.^[13] Details on the album are sketchy, but McClure has stated it will be produced by Jason Cox and James Dring (Gorillaz) and Youth (The Verve, U2) and will move away from the political-minded nature of the band's second album.^[13] The band also announced they had signed to Cooking Vinyl Records. McClure also stated that ex-Milburn and current The Book Club frontman Joe Carnall was to join the band, as well as ex-thisGirl drummer Ryan Jenkinson.

In February 2012, the band played their first gig for two years in Coventry.^[14] Just days after, they released their lead single off their third album 'Bassline' via their Facebook page.^[15] The band also announced their third album would be entitled @Reverend Makers due to 'nothing representing the modern times more than the '@' symbol', according to McClure.^[16] The album is set for an 18 June release, according to Amazon.^[17] The band appeared on Soccer AM in May 2012 and stated the next released single would be 'The Wrestler' (which was released on 14 May 2012).

The album was released on 18 June 2012 and reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart. In December 2012 the band released a live CD & DVD titled 'Reverend and The Makers Live In Sheffield', recorded at O2 Academy Sheffield in October 2012.^[18]

ThirtyTwo (2013–2014)[edit]

The band announced in October 2013 that their fourth record would be released in February 2014 and produced by Youth, James Welsh and the band. The album was titled ThirtyTwo after Jon McClure's age and was the second album on the Cooking Vinyl record Label. In the buildup to the album Jon Mclure travelled the country playing acoustic gigs in fans living rooms which they won through Twitter. On this tour, which Jon titled '32 House Gigs' there was a wedding proposal, a dog named after him and much television and press interest. The 32nd gig was held in Sheffield's Winter Gardens. The album debuted at number 5 in the midweek chart before ending the week at number 13 becoming Reverend and the Makers fourth top 20 album in a row.^[19] The release coincided with a UK tour in support of the album.

Mirrors (2015)[edit]

On 9 October 2015 the band released their fifth studio album, their third on the Cooking Vinyl record label.

The Death of a King (2017)[edit]

The band released their sixth album on 22 September 2017, which debuted at Number 11 on the UK Albums Chart, their best performing album since their 2007 debut.

Tours[edit]

On 30 April 2007 Reverend and The Makers performed 'Heavyweight Champion Of The World' and a cover of Kelis's 'Trick Me' on Radio 1's Live Lounge with Jo Whiley. In October 2007, supported by The Ting Tings, they made a tour of universities in the UK.^[20] Former Arctic Monkeys's bassist Andy Nicholson made guest appearances to play bass for a couple of songs. On 8 December 2007 they supported Ian Brown on the final leg of his tour, and supported The Verve on 11 and 13 December. They also supported in Dublin on 28 October in the Big Top venue in the Phoenix Park.

On 12 February 2008 they performed on Lily Allen's talk show Lily Allen and Friends. In March 2008 the band released an EP consisting of three remixes of 'Sundown On The Empire', three for the track '18–30' and one for 'The Machine' for a total of seven tracks. On 26 July 2009, they played in their home city of Sheffield, closing the Tramlines Festival with an 80-minute gig.

In the summer of 2009 they have supported Oasis on the largest stadium tour in the UK and Ireland. On 1 September 2009, they performed a secret free gig at Tate Modern, London.^[21] They were introduced by Sara Cox and supported by Stornoway.^[22] The gig was to celebrate the launch of new climate change campaign—'10:10'.^[23] In November 2009, the band supported Kasabian on their nationwide tour. For the past 2 years, the band have played New Year's Eve shows at KOKO in Camden, London.

Other activities[edit]

WTKA Open Championships (formally European Open Championship)[edit]

In 2012 Mark Rooker, GB's Operations Director for the World Traditional Karate Association approached McClure for permission to use 'Heavyweight Champion Of The World' as the official song for the first ever unified European Open Championship of Martial Art at The Ponds Forge International Sports Center in his hometown of Sheffield, on 18 August. McClure agreed and the WTKA have continued to use the tune ever since^[24]

Reverend Soundsystem club nights[edit]

Reverend hosted a monthly club night on the first Saturday of every month named 'Reverend Soundsystem' at The Plug in Sheffield, and has also hosted one event at Manchester's Po Na Na. The Soundsystem has featured a number of guest DJs such as Mani (The Stone Roses/Primal Scream), Peter Hook (New Order), the late Tony Wilson (Factory Records), Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkeys), Chris McClure (face of the Arctic Monkeys debut album cover (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not) and brother of Jon), Terry Hall (The Specials), Milburn, Bez and Arctic Monkeys as well as live performances from The Sunshine Underground, Gas Club, Stoney, 747s, The Hosts and White Rose Movement. The event no longer takes place at The Plug.

Reverend mixtape[edit]

At the Leadmill venue in Sheffield on 27 May 2007, approximately 200 CDs entitled And Whilst the World Was Asleep We Were Listening To.. were handed out to the fans. It was reported that more copies would be available later in the year in independent record shops. The cover featured a poem by McClure on the back 'Just Like His Dad' which is a b-side to the single 'He Said He Loved Me'. The mixtape features songs from Cymande, Pixeltan, The Clash and Love. The CD opens with an alternative version of 'The Last Resort' which only features McClure's verses and has a synth backing.

For the fans[edit]

Jon McClure puts on an acoustic gig in the car park of most venues. These sets normally last between 30–45 minutes and this is the type of thing that McClure is becoming synonymous with amongst his fans. He also invited fans to a 'backing singer evening' to help record vocals on an upcoming single. He is heavily involved in the Instigate Debate group, and offers to carry out private gigs in fans homes to anyone who contributes. On 13 May 2009, it was revealed that McClure was going to be one of the curators of the new Tramlines festival in Sheffield along with Matt Helders from Arctic Monkeys and Toddla T.^[25]

Reverend Soundsystem (RSS)[edit]

Reverend Soundsystem is a side project made up of Jon (The Reverend) McClure, Marcus 'Matic Mouth' Smith, Laura McClure and Jimmy Welsh (Ocelot).

Lies[edit]

Lies is a series of short films based on stories/poems written by Jon McClure. The films are part of the local independent film production Kestrel Filmworks with sponsorship from Boxfresh. Lies is a tongue in cheek look at lies told to Jon and his brother Chris throughout their childhood. In total there are six films.

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

• The State of Things (17 September 2007) UK #5
• A French Kiss in the Chaos (27 July 2009) UK #19
• @Reverend_Makers (18 June 2012) UK #16
• ThirtyTwo (24 February 2014) UK #13
• Mirrors (9 October 2015)
• The Death of a King (22 September 2017) UK #11^[26]

Live albums[edit]

• Reverend and the Makers: Live in the UK (October 2009)
• Reverend and the Makers Live in Sheffield (December 2012)

Singles[edit]

• 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' (28 May 2007) UK #8, UK Indie #1
• 'He Said He Loved Me' (3 September 2007) UK #16, UK Indie #1
• 'Open Your Window' (19 November 2007) UK #65, UK Indie #1
• 'Sundown On the Empire / 18-30 / The Machine - Remixes' (16 March 2008)
• 'Silence Is Talking' (13 July 2009) UK Indie #1
• 'No Soap (In A Dirty War)' (14 September 2009) UK Indie #3
• 'Bassline' (13 February 2012) [Free download]
• 'The Wrestler' (14 May 2012)
• 'Out of The Shadows' (23 August 2012)
• 'What Goes Around'
• 'Shine a Light' featured in EA Sports game, FIFA 13
• 'The Only One' (27 January 2014)
• 'Black Widow' (4 August 2015)

Other releases[edit]

• And Whilst the World Was Asleep We Were Listening To.. limited edition CD mixtape (27 May 2007)
• Ten Songs (demo EP)

References[edit]

1. ^Mark Deming. 'Reverend & the Makers'. AllMusic.
2. ^'CD: Reverend & the Makers - ThirtyTwo'. theartsdesk.com.
3. ^Daniel Wilcox (5 March 2014). 'Reverend and the Makers – ThirtyTwo Review'. 411Mania.
4. ^*Clode, Samantha, 'Tell it like it is: Reverend and the Makers', Triple J, 24 September 2007.
5. ^'Reverend and the Makers to split'. BBC News. 19 August 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
6. ^Jason Gregory. 'Jon McClure: 'I'm Not Quitting The Music Industry''. gigwise.com.
7. ^Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires, 4AD, 2009
8. ^Playlist, The Sunday Times, 18 January 2009
9. ^'Shows'. STV Shows.
10. ^'MSN Entertainment UK - Latest Celebrity News, Gossip, Photos & Videos'. msn.com.
11. ^NME.COM. 'Ex-Arctic Monkeys member joins Reverend And The Makers'. NME.COM.
12. ^'Twitter'. twitter.com.
13. ^ ^ab'Afternoon. So we've been away for a.. - Reverend And The Makers - Facebook'. facebook.com.
14. ^'Facebook'. facebook.com.
15. ^Reverend and the Makers - Bassline. YouTube. 12 February 2012.
16. ^'Reverend And The Makers'. facebook.com.
17. ^'@ Reverend_Makers by Reverend And The Makers: Amazon.co.uk: Music'. amazon.co.uk.
18. ^'Nyquest Limited'. bigcartel.com.
19. ^Miller, George. 'Reverend & The Makers announce acoustic house gigs competition'. Altsounds.com, 15 January 2014.
20. ^The Ting Tings release new single.. NME - 28 September 2007
21. ^'Twitter / Account Suspended'. twitter.com.
22. ^'10:10 UK'. twitter.com.
23. ^'1010'. 1010uk.org.
24. ^'European Open :: taichi'. europeanopen.org.
25. ^NME.COM. 'Arctic Monkeys, Reverend to host Sheffield festival'. NME.COM.
26. ^'The Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart'. Radio 1.

External links[edit]

• 2008 interview with Jon McClure on ilikemusic.com
• Interview with the Reverend on 4ortherecord.com