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Political Hay
Lugar’s Last Stand
The longtime senator faces a strong Tea Party challenge.
“Every person in Indiana who wants me to continue, every person wherever they might be at this point, I encourage them to come out,” the six-term senator exhorted. “Come out immediately, as fast as you can.”
So the Indianapolis Star quotes Richard Lugar, first elected to the Senate in 1976, as saying the weekend before his state’s Republican primary. Are those the words of a confident candidate? The Star reports:
As a bell rang each time a volunteer won a commitment from a voter, Lugar pleaded with groups that he has helped over the years to now help him salvage his political career….
He appealed to veterans, Jewish voters who cared about his work to help Russian Jews, women who might have benefited from his program to build political networks and minority students who were helped by his scholarship program.
Most of all Lugar is hoping for an inflow of Democratic and independent voters to rescue him from the Republican base. “I’m not asking anybody to cross over,” Lugar said. “I’m just saying positively, ‘Register your vote, because if you do not, I may not be able to continue serving you.’ At this point, help.”
How the mighty have fallen. Six years ago, Lugar was returned to the Senate with 80 percent of the vote. The Democrats didn’t even bother to run a candidate against him. Now the Democrats are looking past him entirely.
In a Jefferson-Jackson dinner speech to 1,200 party activists Friday night, Rep. Joe Donnelly, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate, didn’t even mention Lugar’s name. He trained all his fire on the longtime senator’s primary challenger, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
“Richard Mourdock has said he is opposed to bipartisanship. I am the fifth of five kids. As the fifth of five kids, if you are not bipartisan, you do not eat at night,” Politico quoted Donnelly as saying. This country works best when we work together as a family.”
Peggy Noonan also stressed family ties when making the case for sending Lugar back to the Senate: “What Washington needs is sober and responsible adults.” Noonan didn’t disclose who the children were in this relationship.
But it is the sober and responsible adults who have accumulated a national debt larger than the country’s economy. There are two ways to demonstrate one’s sobriety and responsibility in Washington: to be as supportive of druken sailor-style fiscal irresponsibility as possible or to be as timid as possible in opposition to it.
Noonan’s brief misses a larger point: The very reason Lugar is in trouble is that many Hoosiers see him as a creature of Washington, not Indiana — to the point where his residency has actually been challenged. Perhaps the handwriting was on the wall when Dan Coats, a former senator turned lobbyist, was barely returned to the Senate when two Tea Party candidates split the conservative vote in the Republican primary.
This time, there is no split. Mourdock has Lugar’s right flank to himself. Lugar has recently been aggressive in defending his own conservative credentials and casting doubt on Mourdock’s. The Democrats are already keying in on Mourdock’s resistance to the unfunded Obama stimulus package.
Lugar has specifically hit Mourdock on the flag-burning amendment and a comment in which the state treasurer seemed to open to consolidating military service branches. A late April Lugar statement asks: “Which military branch do you think is no longer necessary in the 21st century — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard?”
Mourdock’s conservatism has nevertheless been defended by FreedomWorks, Club for Growth, and Americans for Tax Reform. He also enjoys the support of Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, and Michelle Malkin.
Perhaps Lugar can still overcome what certainly seems to be a sudden drop in the polls. He is an experienced politician who has won many times before. But the hour is getting late — and the Tea Party is getting impatient.
About the Author
W. James Antle, III, author of the new book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?, is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter @jimantle.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (131) | Leave a comment
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Skeevix | 5.7.12 @ 6:17AM
Bye, bye RINO... Good riddance..
Alan Brokks| 5.7.12 @ 7:04AM
Lugar is Count Porkula
Jack in Wi.| 5.7.12 @ 6:42AM
May Lugar join Orrin Hatch, Thommy Thompson, and George Allen in permanent retirement.
TLP| 5.7.12 @ 9:03AM
I'm so glad that you included the Senile Old Bag - Peggy Noonan - in to this piece.
SHE VOTED FOR OBAMA, and when she told everybody WHY she did it? It was for the exact same reasons that she's giving for keeping Senator Worthless, in Office.
Hey Peggy. The POS doesn't even Live in the State!
Are you Really that Stupid, Senile, or BOTH?
Dick Luagar only gives a Sh-*t about one thing. Dick Lugar.
King George III famously said that if George Washington returned to his Farm, after winning Independence, "He will be the Greatest Man in the world".
And, Charles DeGaulle once said, when asked about Indispensable Men: "The Cemetaries are full of Indispensable Men".
Lugar is a Disease. Orin Hatch is a Disease. How dare they LEACH OFF US, for Decades. Their presence in the Senate, for so many years, is a slap in the face of the Men who set up this Great Country. They foresaw of a Citizenry Government, where REGULAR PEOPLE would drop their plows, come to Congress or to the Presidency, serve a short time, and go back to their lives. They wanted a constant flow of New Blood, and New Ideas.
The last thing they wanted was a Bloated Beurocracy, Lorded over by a bunch of Self Important Feudal Lords, who would game the System to stay there, until they were carried out on a Gurney.
Get Out, Lugar. And, don't let the door hit you, on the way out.
A car? Yeah. Just not the door.
As far as that SKANK - Nonnan, is concerned?
Shut your stupid pie hole, sweetheart. NOBODY cares what you have to say.
You voted for The Muslim.
Nuff said.
Now, do everyone a favour and go die in an alley, somewhere?
You wore out your welcome, a long time ago.
buckeyeman| 5.7.12 @ 10:34AM
I don't know how it felt to write it, but it sure made me feel better to read it.
Russel| 5.7.12 @ 8:00PM
Damn Tim is good . How that old __ Leggy Nooner pisses me and the WSJ keeps paying her .
Occam's Tool| 5.7.12 @ 10:37AM
Lugar needs replacing. We need Young Turks, not moderates.
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 11:37AM
It's a sad state for the GOP when there's no room in the party for the likes of Lugar and Colin Powell, but Ron Paul is shown respect and will be on the platform at the convention, which will highlight what the party has become.
loulou| 5.7.12 @ 11:58AM
That's right. There is no room for Lugars and Powells. Lugars and Powells can go start a third party or go join the Democrat Party where they would be very comfortable.
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 12:35PM
But there is room for Ron Paul, who will let the Islamicists take over and destroy Israel while we sit at home with our hands over our eyes and ears. I can't wait for the country to watch the spectacle at the convention with Paul in a prominent place for the nation to see what this once-proud party has become.
Sheila| 5.7.12 @ 12:58PM
I'm far from a Paulbot, but RCV's loyalties and priorities are seriously skewed. Hint: this is purportedly the U.S. presidential election.
Jack in Wi.| 5.7.12 @ 1:52PM
RCV is far more concerned that his living god BIBI is being called out by the heads of Israeli's military and security services as a messianic lunatic who wants to start a terrble war by attacking Iran. I have to commend the Israeli military and intelligence communites for standing up, and speaking out. That is unlike Powell and Rice who let Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the neocons lie us into a criminal and disasterous war with Iraq. Now these same type of criminals want to lie us into another criminal war with Iran.
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 1:58PM
I'm no big fan of Netanyahu, Jack. If I were an Israeli, Tzipi Livni would be my choice for leader. Powell and Rice weren't elected President - that idiot, George W was. From all I've read, Powell was one of the few sensible voices in Bush's inner ciricle, but Cheney and Rumsfeld were running the show for Bush Jr.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 3:36PM
Call Tzipi, Obama Israel Firster Law Boy, RCV.
Alan Brooks| 5.7.12 @ 10:42PM
"That is unlike Powell and Rice who let Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the neocons lie us into a criminal and disasterous war with Iraq."
Afghanistan is the bigger disaster.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 3:34PM
Uh Oh !
The Obama Law Boy BibiBot, RCV Is All Upset & Atwitter Because The Tea Party Stepped On Lugar.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 3:38PM
Attention !
Attention !
Obama LawBoy, RCV Now Claims To Be A TzipiBot.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 12:40PM
Why the hell should the R party have room for the likes of Colin Powell who voted for the Muslim Marxist; the president who distains General Powell's troops????
Did the D party still have room for Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller???
You're a lefty fraud.
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 1:34PM
Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller are welcome back anytime they choose. And we'd be delighted to have Colin Powell once he realizes that the Republican Party that once stood for equality and leading the free world, now is the home of Ron Paul and his isolationist pro-jihadi, anti-semitic scum.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 2:11PM
Stop being so damn obtuse, fool. The R party does not embrace Paul, he is a libertarian who ran as a R from Texas and is running for president. His only support, all 10% or less, is from a fringe element.
I thought you were in favor of big tent Republicanism? Which is it? Paul has to be handled delicatately, or his meathead minions will sit home or vote Obozo.
And you're dreaming if you think the D party would accept Liberman or Miller. You're either hard core leftist or you're out as a major party candidate.
Finally, Colin Powell now embraces all the things you claim are Paulisms, where the hell have you been?
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 2:24PM
If Powell "embraces" all the things Ron Paul does -- which is utter nonsense -- why isn't the tent big enough for him if it accomodates Paul? And we'll see how much prominence Paul ends up getting at the GOP convention, given all the delgates he's racking up at the caucuses of late. You invited these "meatheads" as you call them into the tent; you'll see how much s**t they leave before they pull out before the November election and leave you guys wondering why you thought you could play nice with them.
Lieberman is welcome in my Democratic party any time. I supported his choice for VP and would do so again. He's a good independent thinker, and a smart guy. He let his personal friendship for McCain get in the way of his better judgment last time around, but he's got his eyes focused of late.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 3:54PM
Well RCV, perhaps the bright line test here is that Powell voted for Obozo, and Paul didn't. Perhaps that's too subtle a distinction for you to grasp.
Your comprehension of our "embracing" the Paulistas is breath taking in its stupidity. Lieberman may be welcomed in your D party of ONE, but certainly not the one in CT, and not nationally. He is only still a senator because of us CT Is and Rs who voted for him over Ned the "Red" Lamont.
As to General Powell's politics, he turned on the war, took a giant step back from America's role on the international stage, and shares his president's views on the middle-east.
Now go caucus with your one fellow party member, Joe Lieberman.
RCV| 5.7.12 @ 4:05PM
Well, if that's the bright line test then Ron Paul fails it - he didn't support your party's nominee in 2008 and won't commit to doing so this time around either.
And when Paul leads his looney band out your tent come November, a united Democratic party, including Joe Lieberman, will lead the nation to re-elect President Obama.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 4:33PM
Obama Israel Firster LawBoy, RCV Is Scared Of Dr.Ron Paul & His Supporters Because We Are Gonna Take Away The Big Government Statist Rice Bowls.
Alan Brooks| 5.7.12 @ 10:46PM
"Because We Are Gonna Take Away The Big Government Statist Rice Bowls."
Rice bowls is an interesting choice of metaphor in this age of China rising
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 4:39PM
" More than 80 percent of Democrats say they believe Sen. Joe Lieberman should be stripped of his chairmanship in the Senate if he ends up supporting a Republican filibuster of health care reform.
The main question in the poll was whether Lieberman - an Independent who usually caucuses with the Democrats - should lose his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 81 percent of Democrats responded that they think he should lose that chairmanship should he sustain a health care reform filibuster . One contributing factor to the high number of Democrats who wish Lieberman punished is that this is not the first time he has gone against the Democratic leadership since they took back power. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Lieberman openly campaigned for Senator John McCain. Only 10 percent of Democrats said there should be no punishment, and only nine percent said they weren't sure. "
Calvin| 5.7.12 @ 7:06PM
The trouble with RCV is that he wouldn't vote for any of the above characters that he endorses. He wants others to support these people. In other words he has given us his approved list of Republicans. Thanks but no thanks. Why would I take advice from a functional idiot that has his finger prints all over the disaster that is California.
RCV| 5.8.12 @ 11:38AM
Remind us again, Calvin, what red state paradise you live in.
Bob Grant | 5.7.12 @ 11:42PM
Powell embraces everything obama does.
Jack in Wi.| 5.7.12 @ 4:20PM
Ron Paul plls by far the best among independents and young people. Romney is a drag on the ticket. His warmongering views are death to the party. Even 50% of the braindead base is sick of these wars. Foreign aid is also dispised. 70% of the population wants out of the wars and an end to foreign aid to everyone. The future belongs to us not some loser like the Bush's or Romney. They must be expounged from the party and movement if this country is ever to recover.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 3:34PM
Call Bibi, Obama Law Boy RCV.
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 3:40PM
Call Tzipi, Obama Law Boy,RCV.
W| 5.7.12 @ 6:44PM
The Democrats voted Liberman out in the primary. You may welcome him but the Dems do not welcome him.
The Dem party is the party of Al Sharpton who incited a riot that actually resulted in the death of Jews, and Jesse Jackson who refers to NYC as hymietown. John Edwards is on trial for fraud. Algore is insane. Clinton is a rapist.
Obama is friends with terrorrists like Ayers, anti-semitic racists like Wright, and has White House parties for "poets" (Common) who praised a cop killer (Assata Shakur) who escaped to Cuba.
These are the recent Dem candidates for president. The only sane, pro American candidate was Lieberman and he was booted out of the party.
Compared to this lineup Ron Paul looks good.
RCV| 5.8.12 @ 11:42AM
He lost a primary election. So did Santorum, Perry, Gingrich, etc. Were they "voted out of the party"? Democrats and Republicans get to choose which of their candidates they want to run in any particular election.
You'll see the sane Lieberman campaigning for Obama this fall.
The Bishop| 5.7.12 @ 6:47AM
As a resident of Indiana's 2nd Congressional district (currently represented by Joe Donnelly), Murdock will get my vote twice this year. Senators who act like the Senate is the House of Lords need to be expunged. And Donnelly (an alleged "Blue Dog") was one of those critical votes FOR Obamacare. Thank you and goodbye, Senator Lugar.
The Captain| 5.7.12 @ 8:03AM
Right on, Bishop! I am in Donnelly's 2nd district as well. He barely got that seat last time, Jackie was about 2,500 votes short to take that seat, while the Libertarian go about 9,500 votes.
Joe voted for ObamaCare, and other bills that hurt our society. Richard Mourdock will take that senate seat. He will have more opportunity to further elaborate upon his positions before the general election. The finances from the RNC and Hoosiers Republicans will greatly help him do that.
I will be glad when election day is over. The whole State has been on pins and needles. The party has been divided over this primary, 4x8 Mourdock signs were stolen off lawns. Things have been bitter, but they will heal.
Mr. Mourdock will have the greatest opportunity to prove his leadership and statesmanship by bringing the Indiana GOP party back together in unity. That will be his opportunity to define himself for who HE is.... his opportunity to show/prove leadership.
Mark MacInnis| 5.7.12 @ 8:30AM
You are mistaken, apparently, about where you live. Donnelly represents the 5th Indiana.
The Captain| 5.7.12 @ 8:50AM
http://donnelly.house.gov/
Read the 4th tab from the left. It says 2nd district.
Steve_in_Fla| 5.7.12 @ 12:11PM
You shut his a$$ down pretty well. Good job Cap'n! :)
Clint| 5.7.12 @ 6:53AM
" Sen. Dick Lugar, who has represented Indiana in the United States Senate for 36 years, might experience an upset in tomorrow’s primary election, according to a poll released this week.
The Howey/DePauw Indiana Battleground Poll released Friday shows Lugar down 10 percent to his opponent Richard Mourdock for the GOP ticket.
According to the poll, 48 percent were in favor of Mourdock, who is a two-term treasurer for the state. Lugar, the longest serving senator in Indiana history, garnered approval from 38 percent of those polled."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In Indiana.
Oldefarte| 5.7.12 @ 10:43AM
'......the debate, however, has been the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who forcefully oppose cuts to programs that help the poor and vulnerable, singling out cuts to food stamps as "unjustified and wrong" and assailing the effort to deny the child tax credit to undocumented workers as sure to thrust vulnerable children into poverty. The vast majority of children who would be affected by the tax credit proposal are U.S. citizens.....'
Indy| 5.7.12 @ 7:40AM
Cantor's PAC, Young Guns, is backing Lugar by asking Democrats to cross over and vote for him...that's all I need to know about Cantor.
6 terms in the Senate and still looking for more, good grief, IN voters it is up to you.
Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 8:15AM
Perhaps Cantor needs a primary challenge? Where has the slickmeister been anyway?
Indy| 5.7.12 @ 8:35AM
He's in a protected district, I hope someone with courage steps up to challenge him in 2014 until then, we are stuck with him.
All of GOP "leadership" seem to be MIA, not much is being said about anything. They need to be speaking out everyday, pick an issue and educate the public. Fast and Furious, Gibson Guitar, DHS expansion, TSA abuse of our liberties, Freddie / Fannie, GSA, duplication of government programs / agencies, IRS refunds to illegals, etc.
What do we get? crickets....yeah, that's leadership
The Bishop| 5.7.12 @ 9:46AM
To see part of what Indy is referring, see this WTHR story on billions being sent to illegals by IRS: http://www.wthr.com/story/1779.....-billions. Outrageous!
The Bishop| 5.7.12 @ 9:48AM
http://www.wthr.com/story/1779.....s-billions
kerry| 5.8.12 @ 5:21AM
someone named Floyd is challenging him.
albert constantine jr.| 5.7.12 @ 7:52AM
“Peggy Noonan also stressed family ties when making the case for sending Lugar back to the Senate: ‘What Washington needs is sober and responsible adults.’ Noonan didn't disclose who the children were in this relationship.”
Perhaps a critical part of this race that Ms. Noonan misses is that the voters of Indiana are less concerned about what Washington needs than they are about what Indiana needs.
The Captain| 5.7.12 @ 8:08AM
There are about 700 comments on Noonan's "grown ups" article at the WSJ. A number of posts stated she wrote glowing articles about Obama, and voted for him too.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 5.7.12 @ 8:18AM
As a result of her drift, I exercised my primary vote in the free market election on Ms. Noonan some time ago, and I stopped going out of my way to read what she writes.
Wayne Farrar| 5.7.12 @ 7:15PM
Hear, Hear! She lost all credibility with me during the 2008 campaign, as I read her fawning columns, all atwitter over this anti-American, anti-Christian 57-states-and -counting ignoramus.
Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 8:21AM
Peggy Noonan is an elitist snob. I read her book on Reagan "When Character was King," but I would not waste my time reading anything else she has written and change the channel on the rare occasion she is on television. Perhaps she is on ABC, CBS and NBC. Otherwise she is nowhere to be found, and that is good.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 9:22AM
That was indeed Noonan's finest book. She lost her way soon there after. So sad, given that she fully understood the greatness of Reagan.
Oh well, I guess her girl crush could not last forever, that, and the fact that she suffers from the disease that overcomes the pols and the media in Washington.
Drain the swamp!!!!
W| 5.7.12 @ 10:08AM
She wrote one good speech for Reagan when the Challenger blew up and the three astronauts died.
She then wrote a book about her time in the Reagan administration, "What I Saw at the Revolution," I believe. She wrote how she was smarter and more sophisticated than the rubes working for Reagan. She tried to redeem herself with the book When Character was King, but it seemed she was only trying to cash in on the Reagan bandwagon.
She is a Manhattan liberal with her boyfriend, the liberal Jeff Greenfield.
Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 10:30AM
Thanks Anthony and W. You know her better than I since I found her arrogant and condescending opting to avoid anything she said except related to the Gipper. Boy could we use him now.
W| 5.7.12 @ 10:41AM
Von and Anthony,
Good decision you made to skip Noonan.
We need Reagan's focus on the important issues. He focused on reducing the tax rates, which increased tax revenues and created jobs, and beating the Soviet Union for the security of our country.
Romney must foucs on reducing the deficit, provide for domestic drilling of oil/gas so we are not hostage to the terrorrists, and stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 12:56PM
Well said W, so the question is, if Obozo now gives Noonan creepy feelings, how much longer can she stand Greenfield?
I guess she can involk the Mary Maitland defense. Oh well, at least Greenfield doesn't smell like rancid gumbo, but he is kinda Gumby like. Ohhhhh no00oo, Romney's a Republican!!!
Chef Schnauzer| 5.7.12 @ 7:57AM
Hopefully the other parasites will take notice, it kinda funny though they get some sort of pig-trough mental armor. Untouchable. Too insular to fail. At some point the 'new' precious metal will be lead.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.7.12 @ 8:14AM
Washington is the ultimate recycling factory of hackneyed politicians, trite worn out ideas and hands rubbed soft by lack of work, lack of concern and lack of honor.
Their pockets are full of ill gotten gains while their minds are empty of any real hope.
In essence we are being led by a series of criminal enterprises whose criminal persecptives and achievements/crimes are beyond the reach of civil society.
Legarto Rey| 5.7.12 @ 12:10PM
So, so accurate!
Doctor Right| 5.7.12 @ 8:28AM
"Richard Mourdock has said he is opposed to bipartisanship. I am the fifth of five kids. As the fifth of five kids, if you are not bipartisan, you do not eat at night..."
- Joe Donnelly, Dem. Senate Candidate
That may be the most moronic, irrelevant statement on politics I have ever heard from a candidate.
With idiots like this on the Democrat side, it's a wonder that any of them ever get elected.
2Anglico| 5.7.12 @ 9:11AM
Joe Donnelly must be from a pack of hyenas. Humans make sure all their kids have enough to eat.
The Bishop| 5.7.12 @ 9:54AM
The only relevance of Donnelly's comment is that he is perceptive enough to see Mourdock as his general election opponent.
jomo2009| 5.7.12 @ 6:22PM
Obviously Donnelly was the runt of the litter.
Occam's Tool| 5.7.12 @ 10:39AM
I was the ONLY Conservative in my family. Unlike my Libtard sister, what I eat comes from what I earn. Dems kept me hungry.
Ted| 5.7.12 @ 11:42AM
"That may be the most moronic, irrelevant statement on politics I have ever heard from a candidate."
The most moronic? Doc, I thought you followed politics more closely.... :)
Almost every word from a politician's mouth is moronic. Especially if they are leftists.
PattyMor| 5.7.12 @ 8:56AM
Like the mastadon bone found in the LaBrea tars pits, its way past time for the fossils to depart the scene. While they pretend to be conservatives, what have they exactly presided over? Gigantic accumulations of debts, No Child Left Behind (really let no teacher nor administrator left behind), SCHIP, and the disasterous START Treaty.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 9:13AM
Didn't this Washington D.C. insider pull a Tom Dashell and give up his home in Indiana, but claims to maintains a farm there?
Thirty six years in the Senate, with nothing to show for the country, but plenty to show for Lugar.
Lugar wants to die and remain in Washington, otherwise known as heaven for politicians.
We'll never get term limits until Washington is turned on it's head.
Von Mises Jr| 5.7.12 @ 10:34AM
Sort of like our boy Lousenberg? The guy only shakes off his permanent coma when he is blathering class warfare and screaming how only liberals/progressives/socialist should be allowed to vote. Another reason to get out of New Jersey.
jomo2009| 5.7.12 @ 6:28PM
As a fellow Garden Stater I agree completely with your sentiments.
Here's a riddle: Question: How can you tell if Lautenberg is dead?
Answer: You can't.
Louis Jenkins| 5.7.12 @ 9:17AM
Good ridence. Lugar needs to go.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 10:10AM
This fossil had better not think of pulling a Charlie Crist of Florida 3rd party gambit, the last vestige of hope slimey pols pull before they die.
Vampires do exist, and they suck the money and life blood right out of America. Put a stake in Lugar once and for all.
Thirty six years in Washington and his contribution to America will disappear with the first wave that comes along to wash away his footprints.
It's no wonder Noonan loves this guy, she has a thing for old white grandfathers, and flashy slick talking Muslims.
Indy| 5.7.12 @ 9:18AM
Lugar, the only R to receive $ (small amount) from the Council for a Livable World. What is this PAC? Does it concern you?
http://www.trevorloudon.com/20.....peace-pac/
Lugar is Obama's favorite R, how nice...
Lugar was key to getting the SALT II Treaty passed, remember O who said, "after my election I'll have more flexibility" Does that concern you? Will Lugar stand up to O when he abuses his power and runs around Congress again?
Crassus| 5.7.12 @ 9:38AM
Dickie Boy has been on the job too long. Time for him to go to the old Senators home.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 1:26PM
We only wish there was a home for old senators, preferably with barbed wire, snarling dogs, and frigid barracks with wooden slats for a bed, and cold gruel with dog meat.
J.C.Eaton| 5.7.12 @ 9:58AM
Richard Nixon[a first-rate politician, a third-rate man] said Richard Lugar is my favorite mayor. Back in that day there was hope for both of them. Now, none at all. One was a lying crook; one a carbuncle in the soft armpit of the government. Thirty-six years of bloated salaries, bloated budgets, entirely forgotten limp attempts to do what exactly? The marvel is; the guy is absolutely convinced he's essential to the weal's happiness. The self-importance is laughable.
Scorpio51| 5.7.12 @ 10:07AM
Enjoy your retirement Senator Lugar. Hopefully, Orrin Hatch and Clare McCaskill joins you.
bill| 5.7.12 @ 10:07AM
The US Congress is the most exclusive club in the world, lavishly funded by taxpayers. Where else can you pass laws that commoners have to abide by but from which you exempt yourself? Where else can you delegate your entire job to others but still collect a highly enviable paycheck and extensive expense reimbursement? Where else can you get away with not reading, knowing, or understanding the content and effect of the so called legislation upon which you vote?
Once you get membership in this club, your first act is to sell your soul so as to unburden yourself of any principles you brought to Washington. The result: pathetic creeps like kennedy doing untold damage to this country; senile 80 and 90 years olds hanging on by their fingernails and held upright so they can vote; sanctimonius frauds and freaks like mccain and his little buddy graham; and then we get to the rest of the marxists, morons and psychos starting with pope pelosi.
Since mere mortals can not resist its allure, the institution must be significantly changed--or--the length of time you can be a member must be significantly limited. My preference is both.
Bill| 5.7.12 @ 10:13AM
"Hall of Shame":
Arlene Spectator: switched party, cast the deciding vote on Obamacre, yet was shot down by his fellow Dem Mr. Sestak (who lost to Sen. Toomey)
Bob Bennett: series of big government vote (TARP, NCLB, against Iraq war) killed his political career, lost to current Sen. Mike Lee
Charlie Crist: supported Stimulus and hughed Obama, became independent and lost to Sen. Rubio
Dick Lugar: similar voting record of Bob Benett, and is poised to lose his senate re-election primary to a Tea Party fabvourite Mr. Murdock
Orrin Hatch: escaped a defeat in the convention and was forced to runoff (remember his fellow GOP senator Mr. Bennett)
Who is NEXT?
Kelly Staples| 5.7.12 @ 10:15AM
Former Senator Lugar . . . it has a nice ring to it.
Anthony| 5.7.12 @ 1:36PM
Yes it does Kelly, but watch how this fossil turns on conservatives, the R party, and especially the Tea-Party in his concession speech.
We'll hear Mr. Sanctimonious bemoan partiasanship, incivility, and the great American divide, that he and his ilk helped create. Obozo, the Ds, and the left will get a pass.
In other words, he'll be as nauseating as Arlen Spector.
Bill| 5.7.12 @ 2:03PM
You mean, Rick Santorum, and his RINO credentials killed his bid.
goldwater girl| 5.7.12 @ 10:20AM
I have wanted a primary challenge to Lugar for years, and finally, we have a legitimate candidate. My poor opinion of Lugar was reinforced when Obama declared Lugar his favorite Republican. Bye Dick! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Oldefarte| 5.7.12 @ 10:48AM
If Sarah and the two Michelles think Murdock is the best bet, that's good enough for me!!!!!!!
loulou| 5.7.12 @ 11:08AM
Noonan is an idiot who is in love with the sound of her own voice.
sirbourbon| 5.7.12 @ 11:09AM
Lugar in spanish means a place. Lugar will be given a new place away from DC by a guy who has lost more races than Abe Lincoln but God willing he will pull this win off and give Lugar a new lugar!
Ted| 5.7.12 @ 11:43AM
Lugar is toast in Indiana. Donnelly will lose. They will not vote for another leftist this go around.
Greg| 5.7.12 @ 11:45AM
I'm jealous of my Hoosier neighbors. They get the chance to oust a true RINO.
Marko| 5.7.12 @ 11:48AM
It's time to thank Senator Lugar for his service to Indiana over the years, and hand him his ticket out of Washington. He has done good things in the past for us Hoosiers, but lately that list hasn't grown much longer, and some things in fact could be added to the "bad for us" list.
For example, ratification of the "New START" treaty in 2010, of which Lugar was the main supporter on the Republican side, was a national security failure. Russia has cheated on every treaty we've ever signed with them. History and experience has shown (but Lugar has somehow missed seeing) that they won't sign one unless it gives them a strategic advantage from the start. Someone once said that for Russia, treaties, like pie crusts, are meant to be broken. My grandmother used to tell me that she didn't trust the Russians any further than she could throw them. I think there's a lot of wisdom and common sense in both of those statements - Hoosier common sense that Lugar laid aside in favor of coming home for Christmas with a major policy initiative checked off his list.
How the treaty was ratified is illustrative of how our supposed representatives in Washington work "behind our backs" to get things passed that they want passed, regardless (or in spite) of how their constituents feel. It was pushed by President Obama (reason enough to raise red flags about whether the treaty will be in the best interests of our country), and was pushed through the Senate during the final days of the session before Christmas break. An important treaty like the New START, which will affect our national security for years to come, should have been debated and investigated in-depth, both on the Senate floor, and out here in "fly-over country". It wasn't. It was ratified with almost no debate.
Many people had serious reservations about it, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell. A few days before ratification, he stated that certain concerns "...have become increasingly apparent to a number of senators and to the American people. We should wait until every one of them is addressed. Our top concern should be the safety and security of our nation, not some politician’s desire to declare a political victory and host a press conference before the first of the year."
It has become clear to me that while Senator Lugar probably has the best of intentions, his actions in the Senate are becoming increasingly detrimental to our national security. It's time to make the (R) following Senator Lugar's name stand for Retired.
Mike Hawk| 5.7.12 @ 1:08PM
Considering Lugar lives in McClean,Va and not Indiana these days, time for him to retire.
Pete Petretich | 5.7.12 @ 5:35PM
If he lives in McClean then he must be neighbors with Newt and Callista. This explains many things...
Tex Expatriate| 5.7.12 @ 2:39PM
Thank Lugar for what service? The boob has been voting with Democrat Marxists for years, and has been a State Department shill almost as long.
Occam's Tool| 5.9.12 @ 11:34AM
Lugar did pass a bill for effective safeguards on nuclear terrorism. He was working on this stuff in 1995.
I prefer his opponent, but demonizing one's opponents other than Jack and Clint, who ARE minions of Satan, is not usually accurate.
Jennifer| 5.7.12 @ 11:52AM
Since when are elected leaders my "family"?!?!
Dixon| 5.7.12 @ 12:46PM
Peggy Noonan is a DC elitist and eager to keep her role as the token republican on the Sunday talk show and cocktail circuit.
A few weeks ago she was mourning the loss of mr hope and change...almost begging him to return to the Grecian columned stage and tingle her leg again.
It seemed she had finally come to grips the "American idol" POTUS was really just lip synching after all as she sadly put down her martini glass.
But after seeing her support of the statist RINO Lugar it appears she was just waiting for waiter to bring her a refill.
Noonan's DC GOP "token" role is one Ann Coulter seems overly eager to fill. Her worship of all things Christie and unabashed support of the woman & Conservative hater Bill Maher are two recent examples.
Pete Petretich | 5.7.12 @ 5:34PM
It appears that Lugar (or his corrupt staff members) are regular sources for Peggy Noonan when she needs to gather scoops from her perch at the New York Times.
Can somebody document this please?
Goldwaterite| 5.7.12 @ 6:18PM
"His [Obama’s] big draw is this. In a country that has throughout most of our lifetimes been tormented by, buffeted by, the question of race, a country that has endured real pain and paid in blood and treasure to work its way through and out of the mess, that for all that struggle we yielded this: a brilliant and accomplished young black man with a consensus temperament, a thoughtful and peaceful person who wishes to lead. That is his draw: 'We made that.' 'It ended well.' ---Peggy Noonan (June, 2008)
P.S. Peggy has since repented of her supreme folly.
Trinacria| 5.7.12 @ 1:44PM
RE: Senator Lugar's Last Days in Office
Leave my biological father alone.
Sincerely,
Gilbert Gottfried
Frank Natoli| 5.7.12 @ 1:56PM
How to choose the very worst aspect of our present system of choosing who to represent us? A daunting task. Please consider my choice of: allowing "independents" [i.e., people who have no clue as to right and wrong] and "democrats" [i.e., people who know what's wrong, and choose to be wrong] to "help" choose a Republican candidate. Who in his right mind decided to change primary election laws to allow "independants" and "democrats", see above, to help Lugar stay in office?
Simon Templar| 5.7.12 @ 1:59PM
Throw these useless, RINO pieces of crap out if you want to save this Republic from the socialist democrats.
Noonan should keep her ignorant liberal mouth shut. Anyone who would take her seriously at this point or even refer to her should be suspect and is a fool.
I guess that put you in that category, Antle, The Third.
Tex Expatriate| 5.7.12 @ 2:37PM
The only thing that can save Lugar is massive voter fraud in Lake, St. Joseph, and Marion counties. Lake and St. Joseph are near Chicago and reknown for corruption. Marion is little better.
I notice that many of the pundit class continue to suggest that Democrats will cross over and vote in the Republican primary tomorrow, but this cannot happen. To vote in a Republican primary anytime, you have have voted in one previously, or have registered Republican weeks ago.
DV| 5.7.12 @ 4:52PM
But can't dead "Republicans" vote too ?
It would seem unfair if the dead only vote for Democrats.
Aoborn| 5.7.12 @ 3:01PM
I just cannot believe that the citizens of Indiana will elect a resident of New York to represent them. This is rediculous. What has happened to our country. To represent a state one must live in the state they represent when they are not in Washington.
JerryA| 5.7.12 @ 3:23PM
I've known Dick Lugar for many years. He is a good man, and has done some good things. The reason I am NOT supporting him is NOT what the author penned in this article. It is a LOT more simple than that: It's time for someone new. Many people say we do not need term limits in Congress, that the ELECTION is our best term limit. OK---I am expressing MY belief in THAT form of 'term limits'. If it were up to me, I would replace ALL 535 of them every 4 years!
Pete Petretich | 5.7.12 @ 5:25PM
Good.
I agree that more democracy is a good thing. The GOPe does not...
bill| 5.7.12 @ 7:52PM
I think Jerry is saying something very important. The evidence is in and elections make for really crappy term limits. And if you think the incumbents don't already know that then you probably just fell off the turnip truck. Legal term limits make the best term limits--and/or--get rid of the salary, staff, expenses, perks, medical benefits, retirement and that oh so special sense of superiority. There's more--it becomes a 4-5 month per year job and you don't fly to DC and hang out with the other "players". You stay home and use technology to communicate and coordinate. And there's more..........much more!
Russel| 5.7.12 @ 7:54PM
Agree . And Tim above can belt em out . May Lugar the sugar lose by a tsunami . What a posterboy for term limits . Whitehaired old careerist insiding good old boys our Founders insisted on NOT .
Allen Wiznitzer| 5.7.12 @ 3:38PM
I am hopeful, without much cause, that America may have one more awakening in her. We have been in steady decline as a culture for over forty years, and, by that I mean an increasing percentage of Americans have abandoned the the shared cultural values that made us a great nation. These values are not mysterious; and among them are the values of:
Self sacrifice for the nation and the next generation.
An ethos of hard work.
Delayed gratification in economics and social behavior.
Responsibility to fulfill our obligations.
An ethos of self reliance.
...and so on...
I would like to think that the Tea Party movement is a part of the awakening of at least that remnant of American society which still believes in these and other "old fashioned" values.
Senator Lugar's rejection by the Republican Party is evidence of a resurgence of that spirit in the Republican Party. So be it.
beppo| 5.7.12 @ 4:10PM
The Dems must be hugging themselves with glee as Republicans throw overboard one of their elder statesmen. If Lugar isn't the candidate the Republicans are probably going to lose his seat.
Pete Petretich | 5.7.12 @ 5:22PM
That's what GOPes always say...
Professor Mockumental | 5.7.12 @ 4:45PM
The man is the Lawn Gnome of the Senate. That's the nicest thing that can be said and he's far more worried about is arms control "legacy" than enhancing national security or serving his constituents. http://mockfactor10.wordpress......rts-lugar/
Mike Spencer| 5.7.12 @ 4:52PM
I grew up in Indianapolis when Lugar was mayor. He approached government with a bold approach, initiating UNIGOV and other programs that probably helped Indianapolis grow as it has. However, as what happens with most / all good conservatives, he spent too much time in Washington and became one of "them" and lost touch with his fellow Hoosiers. Now we are $15 trillion & debt and all he can say to the voters is to dare not risk a new senator. Lugar was a good man who accomplished a lot, but he was a politician too long. Term limits, please?
The Captain| 5.7.12 @ 8:20PM
Yeah, that is probably everything in a nut shell... Lugar became one of "them". Term limits!
Pete Petretich | 5.7.12 @ 5:21PM
Run Mourdock Run!!! Run Sarah Run!!!
James| 5.7.12 @ 5:39PM
It is time for a change. The Coast Guard is not a military servie. They are part of the Department of the Treasury.
Rene of Mandeville| 5.7.12 @ 5:48PM
vaya con dios Lugur. now is the time for all good men to do something for their country. like retire
Shoey| 5.7.12 @ 5:59PM
"But it is the sober and responsible adults who have accumulated a national debt larger than the country's economy."
this can not be repeated often enough!
Goldwaterite| 5.7.12 @ 6:15PM
Dick Lugar is the face of permanent minority status. He is happy to go along to get along.
Just because the GOP triumphed in 2010 doesn't justify rehabilitating the old guard who lost the last war. The American people deserve new blood. Retire Lugar now; retire BO on Nov. 6.
MorrowRosanna| 5.7.12 @ 6:49PM
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Tom Kyba| 5.7.12 @ 6:59PM
First of all, Noonan is a loon. Why she hasn't gone the way of Arianna Huffington is a mystery to me. As for Dick Booger, please re-read his plaint at the beginning of the article. He is desperate to stay in power so he promises everyone the moon. I can do this, I can do that. Thanks, Dick for demonstrating to everyone exactly what is wrong with politics. Your job apparently entails handing out bribes...in order to keep your job. What a freaking disgrace.
Richard Baker| 5.7.12 @ 7:31PM
James:
The Coast Guard is a military service. Their members operated landing craft and conducted anti-submarine warfare during WWII and served in coastal interdiction in Vietnam. Plus, a member of the Coast Guard received the Medal of Honor in WWII. sounds like military service to me regardless of the agency to which they're attached.
Betsy| 5.7.12 @ 7:37PM
Get rid of them all...every frickin' one of them. I don't care what political flavor they are. You weren't sent to DC to be career politician..you were sent to serve the people who pay your damn paycheck...So go home and get a job and let someone who actually remembers what the constitution says and why term limits are important. Balance the budget for god's sake!!
Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel | 5.7.12 @ 8:19PM
I hope Lugar loses, big time! It's time for a healthy change. I simply don't want to look at that old worn- out hound dog face of his anymore. It's as about as disgusting as the FLOTUS:
US Fat Czar Scrutinized by the Media
http://moralmatters.org/2012/0.....the-media/
janvones| 5.7.12 @ 9:17PM
The best Lugar has is his opposition to merging the Coast Guard into the Navy and his support for a Flag Burning amendment?
Time to go, Lugar. Maybe one of your vaunted friends across the aisle will get you a lobbying job in your home state of Washington, DC.
Matt Stuart| 5.7.12 @ 10:12PM
“Richard Mourdock has said he is opposed to bipartisanship. I am the fifth of five kids. As the fifth of five kids, if you are not bipartisan, you do not eat at night,” Politico quoted Donnelly as saying. This country works best when we work together as a family."
...then why in the world would you want to run as a Democrat or a Republican? According to his logic, he should be running as an Independent. Oh wait, I know...people still actually believe that politicians are really going to make things better! HA HA HA
Mike| 5.7.12 @ 11:28PM
Noonan is nuts. Her brain cells have been going missing ever since she swooned over Obama.
Peggy needs to retire and join Helen Thomas in the Old Batty Women's Home. Her time with Reagan was over many long years ago.
Beachguy53| 5.7.12 @ 11:35PM
Hope Lugar doesn't have a lugar.
Roger Smith| 5.7.12 @ 11:47PM
This old hack has long left his usefulness behind. Never has a politician been more out of touch. Lugar's sense of entitlement to his Senate seat is pretty arrogant. Throw him out!
POST American| 5.8.12 @ 3:24AM
--BEWARE!--
---Laying aside reports micro-chippng
is to be made MANDATORY for ALLLL
U.S. military and police ---soon---
In this, the UNDENIABLE 11th hour
of the capstone Globalist --RED China
handover, takedown, usurpation and
----AGGRESSIVE---- EUGENICS op.
be NOT deceived by the 'one of us' op Lugar.
He was a prime, presiding figure during
the very height of the CFR---Bush RED
China transfer TREASON.
He is a capstone, CON---job Globalist
through and through.
-----NOT only are such 'KNEE--OH'
R--Cons probably Archons
---------------------BUT!
they're not even Archons
---who are, in any way, shape or form
-------------------------------------------OUR CONS!
---STEER CLEAR!
RCV| 5.9.12 @ 11:46AM
On behalf of Democrats nationwide, I'd like to thank the Republicans of Indiana for putting an otherwise safe GOP Senate seat into play this fall. Like your counterparts who nominated Christine "I'm not a Witch," you've done your part to help insure that Democrats will retain control of the Senate. A sincere thank you!