Hoosier Democrats won't field candidate against Lugar

WTHR.com ^ | 6/30/06 | David MacAnally

[LdSentinal]

Indianapolis - In "War of the Worlds" the underdog puts up a fight, but in the war for an Indiana U.S. Senate seat this fall, Democrats gave up without firing a shot. Richard Lugar is seeking a sixth term, and won't have a Democrat running agains him.

Indiana Democrat Party Chairman Dan Parker explains, "You really don't recruit someone to run for the U.S. Senate. Somebody either wants to do it or they don't."

Parker says no one did.

"This is a statement about Senator Lugar," Parker said, "and his status with Hoosiers. He's very well respected by Hoosiers. He's done a good job, and we have other priorities this year."

Those priorities include pouring money into Baron Hill's campaign to unseat Republic Congressman Mike Sodrel and other races Democrats believe will help them retake control of the U.S. House.

"It's a little disappointment for their constituent base, I'm sure. It's an opportunity for the Libertarian Party, so I really can't complain," said Dan Drexler, Executive Director of the Indiana Libertarian Party.

Libertarian businessman Steve Osborn will take Lugar on. Libertarians know Senator Lugar is considered a statesman. He is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who once ran for President, but they charge he's forgotten Indiana.

As for Democrats making no challenge, Drexler says that it doesn't reflect well on Indiana Democrats, "It's a discredit to their base not to offer up somebody."

One Lugar voter told us he can see the Democrat's dilemma. "He's been a great leader," he said.

Another voter says it's not right. "(It) doesn't sound like our normal democracy where we have Republican and Democrat and I disagree with that. It's not fair."

After all, in the movie the underdog won. But that's in Hollywood.

When contacted about the Democrats' decision, a Lugar spokesperson said: "I have no talking points for a moment like this."

[JRochelle]

Republicans should field a candidate against that RINO.

[pctech]

I wholeheartily agree, and as a resident of Indiana I am ashamed that the more conservative voices in Indiana don't do more.

But

What can you do against the political clout of Richard Lugar?

[FRONTLINER]

Amen to that ! Lugar is vehemently anti-gun as well . Typical RINO .....

[Republican Wildcat]

Lugar should run ads heavily in the media market(s) where Mike Sodrel's district is to increase turnout for the GOP line. He is probably the House Dems' #1 target. Laura Bush was there today campaigning for Sodrel.

[Bahbah]

Couldn't they get a non-senile Republican to run against this guy?

[LdSentinal]

Afraid not.

Indiana, such a Republican state, should have better senators.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Hey at least you have lifetime carry in Indiana, look next door to Illinois. In Chicagoland it's family affair, the Daley's, Madigan's, Heinz's, Stroger's and how would you like Dick Durbin as Your Senator with his second vote Barak Obama.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

How good is the Libertarian running?

[Once-Ler]

I like Lugar and I'm happy we don't need to spend a penny to retain this seat. Lugar got a 88 rating from the ACU. That ain't bad. I haven't heard Lugar stab Dubya in the back like Sen Allen, or McCain, and some pipsqueek congressmen who think they have a shot at the top.

At least Lugars not whining he got tricked into passing pork spending and entitlements by that stupid George Bush.

I like Lugar.

[P-40]

I just did a post to an interesting video of Lugar earlier this week.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1657319/posts

[hinckley buzzard]

"This is a statement about Senator Lugar," Parker said,

Got that right. Lugar has been such a RINO beltway pansy for the last--oh, twentyfive years,--the 'rats really don't need the seat. They are smart to spend their money elsewhere.

[digger48]

One thing about it, Lugar sure keeps a stiff upper lip.

[Digger]

Republicans should field a candidate against that RINO.

Well Duh! Why would the socialists want to oppose this creatin?

[Digger]

Just remember this is exactly what this New World Order, Trilateralist, CFR crowd want & that is these midgets controlling the sheeple. This is your corrupt "Two-Party Cartel"

[P-40]

I like Lugar.

Watch the video in the link I posted. Like the guy or not...he understands energy policy.

[Common Tator]

Typical of so many states. Any politician who wants to have an easy victory in the midwest has to adopt either a RINO or DINO position.

What conservatives have to do in States like Indiana, Ohio, and PA is forget about candidates and work at getting a majority of voters to be conservatives. Only when conservatives are a majority can a conservative win.

Conservatives always labor under the delusion that they constitute a majority. How many Lugars, Dewines and Specters will it take to convince Conservatives that they are indeed a minority of voters in the midwest?

[Squeako]

Dump this RINO Howdy-Doody look-alike!

[Question Liberal Authority]

Maybe they can get Alan Keyes.

[Question Liberal Authority]

Typical of so many states. Any politician who wants to have an easy victory in the midwest has to adopt either a RINO or DINO position.

You might be on to something there. In Arizona, McCain ran unopposed last time (or nearly). In 2006, however, Jon Kyl is up against a well-funded Democrat with millions of his own dollars to spend, who is getting prominent Dems like Bill Clinton to hold zillion dollar a plate fundraisers where they talk about helping the little guy like us.