A vanishing breed

Remember former Senator John C. Danforth (R-MO)?   He was such a reasonable and honorable man, I had trouble remembering whether he was a  Repulican or a Democrat.  It just didn't seem to matter that much back then.

Rep. Todd Akins, now running as the Republican candidate for senator in Sen. Danforth's state of Missouri, created such an outcry of disgust with his comments about rape and pregnancy that most of the Republican establishment distanced itself and tried to persuade him to drop out of the race.  

He was defiant and stayed in.  Now that it seems a win for him could be the deciding vote that gives control of the Senate to Republicans, they are beginning to have second thoughts about putting some money into his campaign.   The smell of victory, it seems, overcomes the stench of Akins stupidy. 

But not Sen. Danforth.   Having distanced himself from Akins, he said in an interview that "Republicans should focus on more than the Senate math. . . .  I think this is bigger than any one Senate seat.  I think it's the brand of the Republican Party, and I think he taints the Republican Party."

That is true loyalty to principle and honor above cheap political gain.

Ralph