Todd Akin, Political Fragmentation and the Soul of the St. Louis Region

It’s an unfortunate fact, especially in recent days, that one of the most rightfully-maligned members of congress, Todd Akin, lives little more than a half hour drivefrom downtown St. Louis City. We are a metropolis with problems, of course, but one who can be more often be criticized for failing to craft a workable solution to economic disparity, crime, and equal rights — not ignoring these issues entirely, or arguing that we shouldn’t coddle hungry schoolchildren.

Akin doesn’t just represent the outer-outer belt either: his soon-to-be former 2nd District edges eastward to Kirkwood and Ladue — perhaps not the most City-friendly municipalities, but not too far removed. In 2010, he swept to victory with 68% of the vote; hardly a slim success. And even though, for years, his “at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God” sentiments have garnered him a fair amount of national pushback, his recent, abhorrent “legitimate rape” comments haven’t sunk his lead on his U.S. Senate competition, incumbent Claire McCaskill.