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Subscribe to RSSUpdated at 9:50 p.m. ET: Republican foreign policy elder statesman Sen. Richard Lugar, 80, first elected to the Senate in 1976, was defeated in the Indiana primary Tuesday by state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who was backed by conservatives ranging from the National Rifle Association to local Tea Party activists to the Washington-based fiscal conservative group the Club for Growth.
Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock breaks down his defeat of six-term Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind.
Mourdock scored a landslide victory, winning more than 60 percent of the vote with almost all precincts reporting.
Looking toward the November election, National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said two weeks ago that “it will probably make it more of a contest if Sen. Lugar is not the nominee, but I’m confident we’ll hold the seat.”
In a statement Tuesday night once the outcome was clear, Cornyn said Mourdock "has the NRSC’s full support and we are committed to helping elect him as Indiana’s next U.S. Senator in November."
Darron Cummings / AP
Sen. Richard Lugar responds to a question outside of a voting location Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in Greenwood, Ind.
Conceding defeat, Lugar told his supporters, "I hope that Richard Mourdock prevails in November so he can contribute to that Republican majority in the Senate."
Related: Lugar's goodbye
But Lugar also said that unless Mourdock "modifies his approach, he will achieve little as a legislator."
Within minutes of Mourdock's victory, leading Senate conservative Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina -- who'd stayed neutral in the primary -- sent a message to supporters of his Senate Conservatives Fund, urging them to donate money to Mourdock.
"A year ago political pundits said Richard Mourdock couldn't win this race. They said he couldn't build the support needed to overcome the establishment machine. They were wrong," DeMint said.
The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd shares the results of key voters in Indiana, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
Now, DeMint said, "he needs our support now more than ever. Mourdock is virtually defenseless after spending everything he had to win the primary election. The Democrats are going to come at him very hard in the next few weeks and work to brand him as an extremist. We need to act quickly to replenish Mourdock's war chest so he can get the truth out about his record and vision for the future of this country."
As DeMint noted, Democrats quickly issued statements alleging that Mourdock is "extreme."
Guy Cecil, the executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Mourdock was "a right-wing Tea Party ideologue who questioned the constitutionality of Medicare and Social Security, says there should be more partisanship and less compromise in Washington, and actually compared himself to Rosa Parks."
Related: GOP infighting gives Democrats hope of picking up Indiana Senate seat
The Democratic candidate in November will be Rep. Joe Donnelly. Although both Democratic and Republican strategists see Donnelly as having a better chance to beat Mourdock than he would have had against Lugar, it remains to be seen whether Donnelly can raise enough money to make it a truly competitive race – given that Democratic donors must also fund much more competitive Senate contests in Ohio, Montana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia and New Mexico.
In his statement Tuesday night, Donnelly wooed Lugar's supporters, thanking Lugar for "his many years of service to our great state and to our nation. He and I share a history of working across the aisle. I agree with the senator that we accomplish more when we work together. Senator Lugar and I stood together to rescue the American auto industry, and our state has benefitted greatly from his efforts in so many areas."
In 2009, Mourdock became famous as Indiana state treasurer for opposing the auto industry bailout and the forced write-downs for Chrysler bond holders. Indiana is home to Chrysler plants in Kokomo, Ind.
Related: First Thoughts: Five reasons Lugar likely loses
Lugar, along with Utah’s Orrin Hatch, is the longest serving Republican in the Senate. But like GOP senators Lisa Murkowski in Alaska, Bob Bennett in Utah, and Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania in 2010, Lugar found himself challenged by those in his party who decided he was not conservative enough on federal spending.
And Republican insiders in Washington said Lugar seemed to underestimate the seriousness of the challenge that Mourdock posed.
Mourdock criticized Lugar for voting for Obama’s two Supreme Court nominees and for his vote to end a filibuster on the Democratic-sponsored DREAM Act which many conservatives see as merely a form of amnesty for illegal immigrants.
But if one looked at Lugar’s voting record, he usually sided with solid conservatives. For example he voted against the 1994 crime bill which included the original Violence Against Women Act and he voted “no” again two weeks ago on re-authorizing money for programs under VAWA.
Mourdock’s attacks on Lugar didn’t always give voters the complete story. For example Mourdock assailed Lugar for supporting an increase in the gasoline tax but didn’t mention that Lugar favored offsetting that increase with a cut in payroll tax so that taxpayers would see no net tax increase.
Mourdock’s campaign ads tarred Lugar with his friendship with President Barack Obama. In 2005 Obama accompanied Lugar on a trip to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan to inspect weapons sites.
Obama told a Council on Foreign Relations gathering in Washington after they returned that “If anybody has ever accompanied Sen. Lugar on a (foreign) trip, you know that he is a rock star wherever he goes,” but Lugar’s foreign policy focus wasn’t the asset at home that it was in Washington, D.C.
For his foes, the fact that Lugar did not maintain an Indiana residence came to symbolize his disconnection from the state he had represented in the Senate since Jimmy Carter was president. Democrats mocked him in February for telling Indiana reporters that he was unsure what address was on his Indiana driver's license.
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80...Hmmm, move on...enjoy what's left . ...Why did you stay so long? There should be limits to this.
Who beat him? Superman?
He sold his house in the mid 70's in Indiana, hasn't lived there since, so how did these dumb people keep voting him back in office as a Senator from Indiana?
It's about time he is gone. I was 5 years old when he one his first term. He has done enough to this country. Hit the road jack and dontcha come back no more!
The Tea Party just traded a man of experience, knowledge, and real power for a nicky new guy who will get nothing done. Brilliant! The dumbing down of America marches on.
Better to have a newbie instead of a crook.
Depends on whether you want to get anything done or not.
"I'd rather hire a crook who knows what he is doing than an honest man who doesn't" Frank Lloyd Wright.
all you have to do is look at liberal states, any liberal state. it will scare the obozo out of you
Really? Very articulate.. kinda sounds like Carl Rove and his band of idiots spewing lies and assertions... phift!
hey maybe you could name a liberal state that isn't bankrupt??? or with really high unemployment???
Articulate......you have got to be kidding me.....Your are criticizing true bro and you write that crap......Worse than the pot calling the kettle black. Better bone up yourself if you want to go after others with any credibility.
Sadly at his very old age, Lugar will get $ 244.000.00 a year plus $ 112.000.00-121.000.00 in Benefits . Yes even sec, fees and office space to do nothing .
That is not the real Number .... If his wife lives to be 95 .
She will receive $ 3.2 Million more with equal Benefits as the Senator .
Sad day, again we lose another Rep that cares more about the American people than being an obstructionist, and cow towing to the "nut job" tea partiests. Good luck in Nov- "nut job".
What is even sadder is that you cannot realize that both parties are obstructionist when it comes to protecting their territory. Let me give you an example:
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a Sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. ...Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that 'the buck stops here'. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and Grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
SENATOR BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, MARCH 2006
The above quote consists of two excerpts from a long speech delivered by Barack Obama during a Senate debate over raising the national debt limit on March 16, 2006. Along with his entire party, Senator Obama voted against the increase, which passed nonetheless with overwhelming Republican support.
President Obama says he regrets having taken that stand. "He realizes now," explained White House spokesman Jay Carney in a statement to the press on April 11, 2011, "that raising the debt ceiling is so important to the health of this economy and the global economy that it is not a vote that, even when you are protesting an administration's policies, you can play around with."
Your right about one thing, Mr. President.....the country deserves better but we certainly did not get it with you, President Flip-Flopper
Now you might notice that the Republicans back in 2006 supported increasing the debt limit whereas they oppose it now. So what is going on.........? The answer is that both parties work exactly the same----oppose anything the other party wants. So dems get off your high horse and look at your own droppings as well
Notice that the White House said:
"...that raising the debt ceiling is so important to the health of this economy and the global economy that it is not a vote that, even when you are protesting an administration's policies, you can play around with."
WHAT......are they saying that by not voting for the debt increase in 2006 that they did not care a damn about the US and World economy. Of course they are which means they are not any damn better than the republicans by a long shot.
So get your head out of the proverbial dark spot and see the reality of politics.
Perhaps this will wake up other liberal repubicans and the democrats that the Second Amendment really does mean something.
Why?
Yeah, why?
Lugar voted anti-gun with the liberal democrats without fail. They are now on their way out. I personally am a conservative and I don't know how this man can even call himself a member of the GOP.
4 dollar gas...obozo careing about you
$4.40 July, 2008. I love the way the Texas drunk cared for us.
1.89 average gas price ...
Yeah, he laughed all the way to the bank. Hmm,,, isn't his old money in oil?
Another non-factual nut job! 1.89? lmfao... post some evidence, or stfu!
its not that hard, just google it
What I see is liberal crazies that have not ever served one minute as an American Citizen. I see the National Anthem being laughted at as a result of your Liberal commies having burned our flag in the 60's. They should have faced a national tribunal and sumarily exported(You thought I was going to say executed)May be not such a bad idea though. I've got a news flash for you, the Brits still hold a grudge against us and call us a colony even though we not only beat them in war twice, but also saved their bacon twice. They went to socialism because their history is based in Imperialism. Having had that experience, they chose to disarm thier people because they could not trust themselves. I do hope that at least one of you libtard idiots somehow make it to my presence so that I may offer you an education on American History and the exercised freedom of speech.
Pull your head outta the sand Bozo. It's f'n 2014!!!
Embarrassed to be a Hoosier today. Senator Lugar was one of the best politicians this country had going for it. And this dbag is calling for "more partisanship" in DC? Come on, you think thats really working for us right now, or ever will? Really?? This country was founded by people who put their heads Together to solve problems and make it a better place for everyone to live, not divide it....
Concur!
BestCoast - see my post below. A bad day for the US and Indiana. This ex-Illini offers condolences, you are in for some bad legislation!
Over 30 plus years in the Senate? It's about time.
Sorry folks, but I call this not only a great loss to Indiana, but to the entire country. Mr. Lugar is a man who knows how to get it done and done well. Indiana has not only lost the clout of a senior senator. the US has lost probably the best foreign policy man in the Senate. Well done Hoosiers. :(
nonsence, this country was founded by people trying to limit the growth of the federal government...sadly they failed
You mean The Civil War, yes? What's your point?
BTW, it's spelled "nonsense" - please check your Funk and Wagnalls before clicking "post..."
Good riddance, you old fossil. Anyone who has been in the Senate more than 2 terms has been there too long. Throw all those sons-of-bitches out now -- that includes Barack "It's Bush's Fault" Obama. And, yes, I know he's president. But as long as I'm on the subject of throwing them all out, I thought I'd include the Liar-In-Chief.
Oh, good rant. Not a single fact, or valid argument to support it. Typical gradeschool kid - call'em names when you're beaten!
the grimm creeper***I agree with you on one things, all politicans should only serve two terms, period, 6 yrs for both House and Senate, two terms. The President can only serve two terms so the bum can stay in office another four more yrs. He is trying to repair the mess the TPers and republican guard left over from previous ex-pres. and war criminal Cheney admin. President Obama INHERITED this mess from guys like you, Greed Mongers, to hell with everyone else, Bush/Cheney were the Big Liars in chief, Look how they left this country in ruins. Boehner, Cantor, Ryan, and McConnell all the architects in charge. Obama/Biden 2012. Liv with it!!!
Steve - that's an interesting argument, which I agreed with for many years. However, the way the House and the Senate operate (which rules are not likely to change, eh?), having a senior Senator or Representative from your state is a good thing...for your state/region. On that basis, I'm not sure I am in favor of term limits. Mr. Lugar is a classic example against it. He is the shining star of Senators who can negotiate with the OPEC nations and preserve American interests. I do not know of any sitting Senator with his qualifications and am concerned about the qualifications of who may replace him.
As for the latter half of your post, I think that's just another re-cap and have no comment which would enlighten it. It's all pretty obvious, eh?
obozo has solved the problem of low gas prices, low unemployment and high growth
HUH?
truebro, racist first off, What the heck did you say??? Smoking tonight bro??? Ha Bro how it hanging? Bro, cool man, three of you now, wow way out, bro?
Good riddance to another phony politician. This country is in dire need of term limits.
No more career politicians!
You obviously wouldn't know quality when it's staring you in the face. All politicians are "career politicians." It's your, and my, job to elect the good ones. Indiana just blew that one.
Greatness is only in the eyes of the beholder. He may be a good one in your eyes, but to others he is just another career politician out to feather his own nest and the nest of his party......Pelosi and Reid do it exceptional well also.
Perhaps, but Boehner is the primo example of that analysis.
I never said I though Boehner was great....get with the frigging program.
yea in california the libs really care about the poor, so much they just raised taxes again
All they can do here in California is SPEND, SPEND, SPEND, TAX, TAX, TAX, SPEND, SPEND, SPEND. California should be known as the Entitlement State rather than the Golden State. It is more descriptive of the true state of conditions in the liberal cesspool.
It's good the voters still know how to take out the trash.
Please, what's your point?
He was fired.....that is the point.....is it to difficult for you to comprehend.
no GC, not difficult to comprehend at all, except for the fact that there is not one knowledgeable Senator left who understands how to negotiate with the folks in the near and middle east states. Mr. Lugar has been a critical cog in protecting US interests and negotiating with the near and middle east. I can only hope he is given the opportunity to serve in that area at a federal level, before he is too old to do it, and hope he will accept such a position.
elk-butt***enough is enough, trash pickup is on fridays in DC. Don't let the dooor hit you were the sun doesn't shine. That is ONE, next!!! Getting worried!!!
Elk...I have no problem with your post 339.3 because everyone is entitled to his or hers own belief. I just object to the way you questioned some of the others as if their opinion means less than yours does.
Sorry GC, I am a blunt man. I do not believe in social niceties. Say what you mean and get to the point, eh? I respect anyone's right to say what they believe in - they are Americans and entitled to to their opinions and the right to speak up. However, where I grew up (Chicago 50's) you better have facts to back up your opinions or be ready to listen to a chorus kicking your figurative butt. I approach these posts the same way - say what you want (that is your right), but don't complain if it gets shot down with facts and reason. That is what true social and political discourse is about, eh? And if you make absurd claims without facts, or call people names, I am the self-appointed caller of BS!
This is the main reason we should have term limits for Congress. No more than two terms for either house or senate, total years for both @ 12. House members would go from 2 yrs terms to six yrs, max of 12yrs total. NO MORE CAREER POLITICIANS. NO PENSION, NO HEALTH CARE, NO BENEFITS, JUST LIKE THE PRIVATE SECTOR, RETIRE ON SSI AND THAT IS IT. I am sorry he lasted for as long as he done, but 80 yrs old is TOO OLD TO SERVE. Max age for Congressman should be just like private sector, 65 yrs. If its good enough for us, than it is good enough for them too. People have voted!!!
Wow. Its hard to believe how shallow & uneducated some of the banter is here. "Kick him out, he's old! "Term limits, term limts!" Do you even know who Richard Lugar is?? Do you have any idea what he's done for this country or why he's been in office for so long? Because he's damn good atwhat he does. And so what if he doesnt live in Indiana? He's a f'n Hoosier for god's sake and likely the best one the states produced! Do a little research and know what youre talking about before you spout off with uneducated yammering, dip shi ts. If you could think outside of the box youve been in your entire life you might know why losing Senator Lugar is actually a BAD thing for the Senate, and the country as a whole. Educated Hoosiers know that this is a bad day for us, and why...
BestCoast - amen and right on! I'm on the WestCoast and know the US has suffered an irreplaceable loss. I certainly hope Mourdock (sp?) isn't his replecement.
Mr Lugar is a career Politican, 30 yrs plus is enough, that is why we are in this mess to begin with. He and the rest of the TPers and republicans don't listen to the PUBLIC. Time for a change, now. Term Limits, republicans need to introduce a bill to bring this about, this is one bill they may pass??? LOL!!!
obozo accomplished the immpossible!!! he made jimmy carter look good
Once more...what are you trying to say?
Once again..........he is saying Obama is worse than Jimmy Carter.....Maybe you should go back to school.
Excuse me GC, my education is not at issue here, but perhaps yours is considering your language. Apparently you see trubro's point, but not mine? If I need to give you details I will be happy to do so, just ask, but try not to degrade this to a personal issue. We are supposed to be debating serious issues, not schoolboy egos.
Then stop degrading others with your posts.
OK GC, see my other reply. I am NOT degrading others with my posts (or not trying to do so). I AM pointedly asking them to support their statements with facts. As I noted in other post, I am not into any social niceties and when I see radical BS I attack it radically. A personality flaw, I know, but at my age it is what it is.
the people of indiana simply looked at gas prices, or the unemplyment rate and had the obozo scared out of them
Don't you mean they had the dubya scared out of them?
I believe his spelling was obozo not dubya....having comprehension problems also I see.
So, GC, if I am not a radical conservative, my comprehension skills are questionable? From your grammatical construct, I see you are in need of some additional instruction in this language, but I thought it polite not to point that out until you insisted upon it.
Believe I have begun to irritate you, Elk......so be it although you have certainly provided posts just a irriating to others.
GC, absolutely nothing you (or anyone else) can write here can irritate me. :)
If I have irritated others, I hope it is in the way I intended. That is to pause and think. To ascertain the true facts of an issue and make reasonable judgements from them. If I have offended anyone, I am not sure why...and whether or not it requires my apologty.
I don't believe there is a 't' in the word apology.... You might want to consult your dictionary before clicking the 'post comment' button.
So here you go... Tom Curry, msnbc.com National Affairs Write
A little history lesson for ya
Did you ever read the bill you cite in ...
"But if one looked at Lugar’s voting record, he usually sided with solid conservatives. For example he voted against the 1994 crime bill which included the original Violence Against Women Act and he voted “no” again two weeks ago on re-authorizing money for programs under VAWA."
According to the actual bill which states
"This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Violent Crime Control and
Law Enforcement Act of 1994’’
SEC. 60022. TERRORIST DEATH PENALTY ACT.
Section 2332(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code is amended
to read as follows:
‘‘(1) if the killing is murder (as defined in section 1111(a)),
be fined under this title, punished by death or imprisonment
for any term of years or for life, or both;’’.
SEC. 60023. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
(a) OFFENSE.—Chapter 113A of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 2332 the following new section:
‘‘§ 2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction
‘‘(a) OFFENSE.—A person who uses, or attempts or conspires
to use, a weapon of mass destruction—
‘‘(1) against a national of the United States while such
national is outside of the United States;
‘‘(2) against any person within the United States; or
‘‘(3) against any property that is owned, leased or used
by the United States or by any department or agency of the
United States, whether the property is within or outside of
the United States,
H. R. 3355—186
shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, and if death
results, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term
of years or for life.
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section—
‘‘(1) the term ‘national of the United States’ has the meaning
given in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)); and
‘‘(2) the term ‘weapon of mass destruction’ means—
‘‘(A) any destructive device as defined in section 921
of this title;
‘‘(B) poison gas;
‘‘(C) any weapon involving a disease organism; or
‘‘(D) any weapon that is designed to release radiation
or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.’’.
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The chapter analysis for chapter
113A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2332 the following:
‘‘2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction.’’
"This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Violent Crime Control and
"This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994’’ the original bill, which 'included' the Violence Against Women Act, when it passed the Senate 95-4. No that's funky bill because it includes some pretty neat language on among other things...
SEC. 60022. TERRORIST DEATH PENALTY ACT.
Section 2332(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code is amended
to read as follows:
‘‘(1) if the killing is murder (as defined in section 1111(a)),
be fined under this title, punished by death or imprisonment
for any term of years or for life, or both;’’.
SEC. 60023. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
(a) OFFENSE.—Chapter 113A of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 2332 the following new section:
‘‘§ 2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction
‘‘(a) OFFENSE.—A person who uses, or attempts or conspires
to use, a weapon of mass destruction—
‘‘(1) against a national of the United States while such
national is outside of the United States;
‘‘(2) against any person within the United States; or
‘‘(3) against any property that is owned, leased or used
by the United States or by any department or agency of the
United States, whether the property is within or outside of
the United States,
H. R. 3355—186
shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, and if death
results, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term
of years or for life.
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section—
‘‘(1) the term ‘national of the United States’ has the meaning
given in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)); and
‘‘(2) the term ‘weapon of mass destruction’ means—
‘‘(A) any destructive device as defined in section 921
of this title;
‘‘(B) poison gas;
‘‘(C) any weapon involving a disease organism; or
‘‘(D) any weapon that is designed to release radiation
or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.’’.
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The chapter analysis for chapter
113A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2332 the following:
‘‘2332a. Use of weapons of mass destruction.’’
Pretty Kewl!!
???Who knew??? MEEEEE!
Great Bill if you take the time to read it.
Not well implemented but HEY!, at least it was WRIT GOOOD!
and BTW... I Don't think you're supposed to use the word "tarred" in the same sentence as Barry Obama. Sounds a little bit... well you know... li'l bit.
and as my Forth Grade Teacher Miss Allen once ask me... "Are you sure you didn't copy any of this?"
"Absolulty... One Hundred Thousand Million Billion Percent NOT!" was my reply