In a reversal of fortunes, Rep. Todd Akin has fallen a full 10 points behind Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in the wake of the controversy ignited by his “legitimate rape” comment Sunday.
A Rasmussen poll released Thursday found Akin trailing McCaskill 38 percent to 48 percent in the Senate race.
McCaskill has been called the most vulnerable incumbent senator this cycle, and she remains fairly unpopular in the Show Me State, according to a Public Policy Polling survey released Monday. Nonetheless, in the wake of Akin’s remarks, she appears to have more than a fighting chance.
Political analysts certainly think she does. The Cook Political Report changed its ranking of the race from “toss up” to “likely Democrat” on Tuesday. The Rothenberg Political Report changed it from “toss up/tilt Republican” to a straight “toss up.”
The last time Rasmussen polled the race was at the end of July, while Akin was still locked in a heated primary against businessmen John Brunner and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Then, Akin led McCaskill by three points.
A PPP flash poll on Monday found the two still tied, but the backlash against Akin’s comments appears to be now taking its toll.