Akin highlights faith in push to revive campaign
Republican Congressman Todd Akin is highlighting his Christian faith while asking for help in reviving his Senate campaign. A fundraising appeal sent Wednesday by Akin notes he has asked both God and voters for forgiveness for comments that women's bodies have a way of avoiding pregnancy in cases of rape.
Akin is continuing his Missouri campaign despite enormous party pressure to drop his challenge of Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. In the appeal, Akin writes that the media, "Washington elites" and "party bosses" are all against him. He implores people to support his "conservative voice" with a $5 donation.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee and the conservative Crossroads group said they would end their ad support if Akin stayed in the race.
Ryan to attend Springfield fundraiser
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is scheduled to attend a private fundraiser in Springfield. Ryan is expected to attend the fundraiser this evening. He is not scheduled to make any public appearances during his visit.
The Springfield News-Leader reports tickets for the event range from $1,000 per person or $2,000 for a couple to $10,000 to $25,000. It is Ryan's first trip to Springfield since Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney chose him as his running mate.
Missourians opposed to Ryan's budget plans are planning to protest at the fundraiser.
Quinn not sure what to do on Ill. gambling bill
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is days away from the deadline to decide if he'll sign a gambling expansion bill, but the Democratic Governor says he's not sure what he'll do.
Quinn said Wednesday in Chicago that he's going through the bill line by line and will make a decision by Tuesday. That's when he must decide.
Lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that would create five new casinos - a land-based site in Chicago and four more on riverboats. The bill would also allow slot machines at horse racing tracks for the first time. Quinn gets 60 days to decide to sign, veto or propose changes. Previously, Quinn has said that he won't likely sign the bill as it is and says his biggest concern about it is ethics.
Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Twitter: @stlpublicradio
