Mourdock defeats Lugar

[Grumps]

So says MSNBC

[Simfan34]

Congratulations, Tmth! But this is ridiculous. Clearly the GOP's autosarcophagy has not yet come to an end.

[Senator Snowstalker]

D+1

[Governor Scott]

Wow.

[Svensson]

D+1

I advise against getting cocky. If, of course, you're serious.

[Diabolical Minds Think Alike]

Congratulations, Tmth!

He supported Lugar...

[Governor Scott]

60-40% defeat.  Damn.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/08/11604125-six-term-senate-veteran-lugar-defeated-in-indiana-primary?lite

With more than 70 percent of the precincts reporting, Mourdock was winning 60 percent of the vote.

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."

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."

But Lugar also said that unless Mourdock "modifies his approach, he will achieve little as a legislator."

[Is JCL in mushy sappy love]

It's a JCL victory

[Diabolical Minds Think Alike]

I'm a little surprised, honestly.

[Frodo]

I'm a little surprised, honestly.

Why?

[Jayhawker]

I'd encourage anyone who thinks Lugar is a corrupt politician who doesn't care about Indiana to watch the concession speech Lugar gave tonight. There isn't a man in the world who's more committed to improving this state than Richard Lugar is.

[Senator Snowstalker]

D+1

I advise against getting cocky. If, of course, you're serious.

No, of course I'm not fully serious. However, Donnelly has an outside shot now.

[Jayhawker]

D+1

I advise against getting cocky. If, of course, you're serious.

No, of course I'm not fully serious. However, Donnelly has an outside shot now.

Well, Democrats have a right to be very happy after tonight. It'll be an interesting race, but I think Donnelly will have a real chance. Mourdock has been quoted saying that bi-partisanship is the reason we're in this current mess, which likely won't go over too well with Independent voters. There may have been enough conservative (Tea Party) Republicans to give him the GOP nomination, but he's going to have to win a decent chunk of Independents as well if he wants to win this state.

[Is JCL in mushy sappy love]

I'd encourage anyone who thinks Lugar is a corrupt politician who doesn't care about Indiana to watch the concession speech Lugar gave tonight. There isn't a man in the world who's more committed to improving this state than Richard Lugar is.

That was a good speech.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

D+0.5

Of course what a choice, a conservative Democrat and the candidate that the crazies who thought that a right-winger was too moderate picked.

I don't really care that Lugar lost, but why do I have the feeling that those who were whining about Lieberman's primary challenge don't care about this? There's really a double standard when it comes to primaries. A lot of primary challenges in the Democratic party are actually from the right (like Ed Case).  

Liberal Democratic challenger = bad.
Conservative Democratic challenger = good.  
Liberal Republican challenger = empty set.
Conservative Republican challenger = good.

[HappyWarrior]

D+1

I advise against getting cocky. If, of course, you're serious.

No, of course I'm not fully serious. However, Donnelly has an outside shot now.

Well, Democrats have a right to be very happy after tonight. It'll be an interesting race, but I think Donnelly will have a real chance. Mourdock has been quoted saying that bi-partisanship is the reason we're in this current mess, which likely won't go over too well with Independent voters. There may have been enough conservative (Tea Party) Republicans to give him the GOP nomination, but he's going to have to win a decent chunk of Independents as well if he wants to win this state.

I'm happy for the chance to have another Democrat in the Senate but sad that a great public official like Dick Lugar has been lost.

[Erc]

Whelp, that's that then.  GOP, wake me up when you gain back an ounce of sanity.

[Joe Republic]

Six years ago he had no primary challenge and no Democratic opponent.  How things change.

I actually had the pleasure of hearing Dick Lugar speak on the Senate floor from the gallery.

[Senator Napoleon]

Whelp, that's that then.  GOP, wake me up when you gain back an ounce of sanity.

This of all things caused you to switch parties?

[Lloyd Bentsen's Ghost]

D+0.5

Of course what a choice, a conservative Democrat and the candidate that the crazies who thought that a right-winger was too moderate picked.

I don't really care that Lugar lost, but why do I have the feeling that those who were whining about Lieberman's primary challenge don't care about this? There's really a double standard when it comes to primaries. A lot of primary challenges in the Democratic party are actually from the right (like Ed Case).  

Liberal Democratic challenger = bad.
Conservative Democratic challenger = good.  
Liberal Republican challenger = empty set.
Conservative Republican challenger = good.

I think most primary challenges to incumbents are more about opportunism than anything else. People who say Congressman X has "been there too long" don't get that (1) there is a learning curve involved in government service and you basically don't know what the hell you're doing for your first couple of years and (2) as long as Congress uses seniority to determine things like committee assignments, it is usually foolish for any incumbent who's been there a good amount of time to be voted out.
I'm not concerned about ideology so much as I am about what someone brings to the table. A good chunk of what Congress does is fairly bland/routine/obscure stuff that can't be turned into an ideological battle (or shouldn't, at least). A bad congressman is bad in large part not because of their ideology but because they (1) are an obstacle to Congress being able to do its job; (2) misuse their influence for personal benefit; (3) have talent but don't use it or don't have talent but think they do.

[Diabolical Minds Think Alike]

I'm a little surprised, honestly.

Why?

I would've been less surprised in 2010 when it was the "time" for incumbents to go. But it's just kinda weird seeing this guy defeat the longest serving Senate Republican ever.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Despite all political difference, Lugar's defeat is a great loss for American politics.

[Simfan34]

Congratulations, Tmth!

He supported Lugar...

Do we not say "Congratulations, Phil" ironically at times?

[HappyWarrior]

Despite all political difference, Lugar's defeat is a great loss for American politics.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^