No, I’m not talking about the Senate race, where I am very happy that Richard Mourdock defeated Richard Lugar. I’m talking about the primary for U.S. House District 5, where the solidly conservative former Rep. David McIntosh, who was a terrific House member and is a wonderful human being, lost a squeaker by just under 1,000 votes (not quite full results here), largely because of a ginned up residency issue. He doubtless was hurt by Mourdock’s use of a very similar issue against Lugar, which naturally legitimized and amplified the similar allegations against McIntosh. Of course, there was a huge difference between Lugar’s long non-residence in Indiana and McIntosh’s dual residency in Indiana and Virginia, but once conservatives legitimized such an attack against Lugar — which was not out of bounds at all — it surely made it easier for McIntosh to get hurt in his race. What a shame. I know nothing about Susan Brooks, but national conservative groups both economic and social were united behind McIntosh, and for very good reason. What a crying shame that a man of McIntosh’s intelligence, talents and temperament will not be returning to public office.
