Letter to the Editor – Voting for Mourdock akin to mutiny for Hoosiers
As a democrat, I cannot say I am a fan of the thought of a republican controlled Senate. But as a Hoosier, it would be a mutiny in Indiana to vote for Richard Mourdock to replace Dick Lugar as the republican nomination for State Senator.
Dick Lugar is a republican who has shown a willingness to reach across the aisle and find compromise. He has voted to classify violence due to sexual orientation as a hate crime but did not vote to repeal DADT. He was a strong supporter of Iraq war but eventually wanted to downsize our military role there.
Dick Lugar has also received considerable awards that should appeal to many republicans such as the “Guardian of Small Business” from the NFIB and the “Spirit of Enterprise” from U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
What is unfortunate about the introduction of an opponent in his party is the possibility that Lugar will abandon his pragmatism to appeal to his base. The fact that he was able and willing to compromise reveals a character that is interested in getting things accomplished and not someone waiting for a paycheck from a special interest group or towing the party line.
Regardless, of my view of his positions I am at least satisfied that Lugar is someone who can think on his own. Now, however, he must face a fight from his own party.
Dick Lugar being our senator during a potentially republican controlled Senate next year will give us a ranking member in the Senate from Indiana. He has served us since the 1970’s and with seniority comes political clout and that clout can give us the ability to bring more prospects home.
Voting for Mourdock is the equivalent of replacing the quarterback with the waterboy. Someone unable to command any strategy. Someone unable to be the ranking member in any committees to which assigned. Only a butt in a seat for Indiana.
If you can vote republican in the primary, vote for Indiana. Vote for Dick Lugar.
Joseph Huddleston
I choose to disagree with your assessment of Lugar in a quick manner. If you examine his full record, I agree he reaches across the aisle. Mostly that tends to be reaching back across the aisle to Republicans to put on a show to remind people 'Hey see, I can vote with limited government ideals once in a great while'.
Lugar once was a conservative who would fight for the principles of limited government. Lately, he has let an attitude of unlimited government cloud his vision and helped spur the financial issues we see today. Mourdock would be an ally to bring fiscal sanity and individual liberty back to Washington. While losing a senior Senator would be tough, Coates more than makes up for it. Mourdock is part of a growing individual liberty block of Senators that will wield more influence, and that is a great for Indiana's future.
A vote for Mourdock, is for a bright future of liberty.
A vote for Lugar is for the 1-2 decades of the status quo in DC.
I would agree with Joseph on the part where he says Mourdock is not a great replacement for Lugar and that Lugar is the better candidate in the Republican primary. If people do not already know there is another choice for that seat in the general election in the fall. You can vote for a candidate that is better suited for the seat than both of the people seeking the Republican nomination, Joe Donelly. As for his statement about whether people can vote in the primary or not. Everyone that is registered can vote in the primary but they have to make the choice about whether they want their voice to be heard on who gets the Republican nomination for contested seats or who gets the Democratic nomination for contested seats.
I will not Lugar !!
I agree with Joseph that Lugar has done a good job reaching across the aisle to 'get things done.' However, that is not an argument that wins any support with me. By reaching across the aisle, our country has slipped further and further into soft tyranny, picking into individual liberties and freedoms. How many times over the past 3 years have the Dems crossed the aisle in support of Republican legislation (other than the Patriot Act)?
One big negative with regards to Lugar's voting record is that he has voted several times to encroach on our 2nd Amendment rights. He voted for the DC gun ban. He also voted against personal protection permits being recognized across state lines. These, among other votes, have landed Lugar an F with the Gun Owners of America and the NRA (if that carries any weight with you). The only permit to carry we should need is the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
I whole heartedly support Richard Mourdock. He is a man of principle and has the utmost integrity. His experience as a geologist will be an asset with discussions about home grown energy. With the financial problems rising, his experience as State Treasurer will also be useful. His knowledge and understanding of history is stellar, which is invaluable when taking into account the expansive nature of our current federal government. History's lessons can help guide our present and future. Richard Mourdock is my choice for U.S. Senator in Indiana!
"How many times over the past 3 years have the Dems crossed the aisle in support of Republican legislation (other than the Patriot Act)?"
Three off the top of my head:
Bush Tax Cut Extension (success)
Administration agreed to negotiate on medicaid, medicare, social security and discretionary spending during the debt ceiling negotiations. (failed)
Getting veterans back to work legislation. (success)
That of course is only those I could name off the top of my head in a minute.
Those of us who would prefer to see Richard Murdock over Lugar should thank Joseph for his insightful comments. Sadly, it has taken an admitted Democrat, to point out this important fact. Lugar has indeed been about compromise…too much compromise! Compromise in and of itself is not a bad thing, but one must examine the nature of that compromise. If it is the rule of law and our founding Constitutional principles that are being compromised away, we should say no. We need someone who practices less "compromise" and more sticking to principle. Thank you Joseph!
Is it any wonder that a democrat would support Senator Lugar in his battle with Richard Murdoch. In his defense of Senator Lugar, Joseph observed. “He [Senator Lugar] has served us since the 1970’s and with seniority comes political clout and that clout can give us the ability to bring more prospects home.”
Bringing home the bacon, perpetuating a status quo that has buried us under a $16 trillion debt is the way of the left. Certainly they will root for a sitting senator who goes along with them. The idea of having another senator who respects the rule of law and will apply Hoosier common-sense to bring an out of control central government to heel is anathema to the left.
I was underwhelmed by Lugar's assertion that Murdock was never at work. Seemed 'politics as usual to me'.
Joseph is right . . . Lugar is the democrats' choice for senate . . . he is Obama's choice, also!
Republicans, take note and vote Mourdock. [even if you can't spell his name 🙂 ]
I will be voting for Mourdock in the primary, but not because I support him.
I am voting to put a true Hoosier on the ballot. Lugar has not lived in this state for 30 years, and further, votes from an address that he sold 30 years ago. His only tie to the state is a small farm, and there is no housing on the farm and further… he does not accept it as his residence.
I view any continued candidacy/voting/etc. carried out by the "Lugar Machine" to be in flagrant violation of the law and the US Constitution. I do not feel that I can be counted in the constituency of one who does not even bother to live in the same state as where he represents. Other senators and representatives maintain their primary residence in the state they are from, and lease studio apartments or similar in DC to live in while there. (Some even live in their offices if they can't justify the costs of an apartment in the capitol.) Lugar should either do the same or quit claiming to be a "Hoosier".
I won't disagree with you. His residency issue should have been addressed and corrected long before now by being either ineligible to run or by moving back. Given that neither has been forced in the last 3 decades, I am surprised many aren't more reluctant to force the issue now when his seniority can benefit us the most. Right or wrong, the only reason I see his address being an issue now is due to a schism in the party.
The recent debate seemed a tie to me, but I would give extra points to Mourdock for holding his own as well as he did.
I think the award for best-one-liner-that-will-be-used-against-you will go to Mourdock for the line "I put out a budget plan that I will be the first to admit is rudimentary."
Served us since the 1970's! Well that is long enough! He is one of the 500 or so people that are ultimately responsible for the failing condition of this country. Congress, Senate and President.
Doesn't even live in our great state so how can he represent us?
I'm not sure who I'm for yet but it won't be Lugar!