Posted on 04/05/2012 9:31:04 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Embattled Sen. Dick Lugar (Ind.) has had a rough couple of weeks, and a new poll underscores just how much trouble he is in against state Treasurer Richard Mourdock in the GOP primary next month.
Lugar led Mourdock 42 percent to 35 percent among likely GOP primary voters, according to the Howey/DePauw Indiana Battleground Poll released today. While the poll showed Lugar with a single-digit lead, 42 percent is a dangerously low number for a veteran lawmaker and it underscores just how competitive Lugar’s first tough re-election battle has become.
Indiana has an open primary, and therefore, independents and Democrats can vote in the May 8 contest. Lugar and Mourdock ran even among self-identified Republicans in the poll, which suggests the Senator’s saving grace lies with independents. Lugar led among independents and voters who said they lean Republican, 52 percent to 26 percent.
If Mourdock is the nominee, the poll showed Democrats could compete for the seat. The likely Democratic nominee, Rep. Joe Donnelly, was tied with Mourdock at 35 percent in the survey. By comparison, Donnelly trailed Lugar, 29 percent to 50 percent, in a hypothetical matchup.
The poll was performed by Bellwether Research & Consulting, a GOP firm, and Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group, a Democratic firm. They conducted the poll of 503 likely GOP primary voters March 26-28. It had a margin of error of 4.5 points.
(Excerpt) Read more at atr.rollcall.com ...
This was taken before it was revealed that Richard Lugar belongs to an organization which supports Cap & Trade and radical climate change legislation. Richard Mourdock has a wealth of material, including that Lugar is Obama’s favorite Republican Senator who supported both of Obama’s Supreme Court justices.
Indiana conservatives need to make this primary their top priority.
Shows that even in Indiana idiocy reigns supreme.
It shows that Lugar’s primary opponent isn’t widely known.
YIKES! What’s wrong with Indiana? Bad polling outfit I hope and pray.
Lugar is polling less than a majority and narrowly leading, even though he’s a 36-year incumbent and his opponent doesn’t have much name I.D. The undecided vote usually goes for the challenger, too. It’s a good sign.
Indiana primary is May 8.
It is overdue for Lugar to retire. Seeing that it is an open primary, my hunch is the democrats will crossover to ensure Lugar is the nominee. Kind like the democrat leaning states where Romney wins the GOP for the given state ! We have a system where mediocrity is encouraged and rewarded.
One thing I remember about Lugar. Back in the 1980’s I was in favor the repeal of the 55 mph speed limit but Lugar favored retaining it.
I’d love it if Mourdock unseated Lugar in the primary. I realize Lugar is probably a stronger general election candidate. This is one time, though, where I think the opportunity is worth the risk. Lugar’s been in the Senate since January, 1977. That’s long enough for anyone to become a creature of the Beltway. Beyond that, I think Mourdock has a real shot to win in the general. Indiana isn’t Massachusetts, and I believe a conservative can win there. He may not have the machine that Lugar has, but he’s got a real chance, IMHO.
If we have Boehner-McConnell-Romney in November with Lugar still hanging around, it’s going to be an utter GOP-E nightmare.
I hope Indiana Republicans do the right thing and get behind Mourdock.
Agree entirely. This is EXACTLY the kind of situation and state where you want to knock out an old guard RINO and replace him with an actual conservative that will push the Senate to the right. Mourdock should have a legitimate chance in the general election and if he wins it is a huge net plus for us - definitely worth the gamble.
I think the challenger’s campaign should air the fact that Lugar had to re-establish residency in Indiana. That, more than anything else, should tell you everything you need to know about Lugar.
It's the numbers that count in the Senate this year. cut off Harry Reids nuts..common sense folks..use it
It's the numbers that count in the Senate this year. cut off Harry Reids nuts..common sense folks..use it
I know about this poll and others (including internals). The Lugar campaign is running scared. He will be defeated in the primary. Write it down. Age, tenure, the residency issue (he hasn’t lived in Indiana in 30 years) and his perceived communion with Obama (Kagan, Sotomayor) will do him in. Mourdock is not an ideal primary opponent personaity wise, but his victory will likely affirm the anti-incumbent mood and disillusionment with career, establishment politicians among conservatives.
I don't follow. Democrats have no chance of beating Lugar in the general election, but have a fighting chance against Mourdock. Why would cross-over democrats vote for Lugar?
Force it where if the democrat Donnellley doesn’t win in November, you have a RINO instead of a Tea Party person that has the seat.
> I don’t follow. Democrats have no chance of beating Lugar in the general election, but have a fighting chance against Mourdock. Why would cross-over democrats vote for Lugar?
Damn
Like Sammy Hagar, I can’t drive 55!
Indiana ping
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