Akin Ends Bus Tour in Maryland Heights

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin bookended his Missouri bus tour with a rally at the Sheraton hotel in Westport Plaza.

A campaign spokesperson said the week-long bus tour started in Springfield and went on to Joplin, Columbia and Kirksville. While in Liberty, Mo., Akin served meals at Chick-Fil-A during the restaurant’s appreciation day.

Akin hopes Republicans will select him as the U.S. Senate candidate to oppose Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill. Other top GOP contenders are former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman and businessman John Brunner.

Chris Howard, a state Republican Party committeeman, emceed the Akin rally. He quoted the Bible, John Wayne and Ronald Reagan to raise the crowd's enthusiasm for Akin.

Akin told supporters that the primary race on Aug. 7 will be close, but that the campaign won’t push other GOP candidates down to get ahead.

The audience cheered Akin as he slammed President Obama and Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts. Akin said his campaign tries to stand on principle.

“Ya know, talk and promises are one thing,” Akin said, “but a proven record is something else.”

During his speech he advocated for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations, for judges who defend the constitution and to add a Hancock Amendment that applies to the Federal level.

The St. Louis Beacon reported in 2011 that the Hancock amendment limited revenue raised by the state, and that it has become “complex."