[Christian Engineer Mass]

"But Mourdock is clear on one thing: he is not running as a tea party candidate. While he welcomes the support of tea party groups and says he expects them to coalesce around his campaign, he recognizes the limitations of being defined as a tea party candidate."

Be clear on one thing: "this is the wapo, this is the wapo, this is the wapo".

When they write that sentence, they do so hoping to simultaneously denigrate the tea party, and split them from this guy.

Read MSM like that. Don't read the words. Read the intent.

(will I have made it before the 1st indignant reply?)

[SatinDoll]

I have no idea what you’re saying: you’re talkin’ like a damned Democrat!

[raybbr]

"The headline isn't going to be, 'Tea party candidate to take on Dick Lugar;' it's going to be, 'GOP grassroots dumps Lugar,'" Mourdock said. "There is tremendous unrest and tremendous dissatisfaction, and that's what got me in this race."

When they write that sentence, they do so hoping to simultaneously denigrate the tea party, and split them from this guy.

I think you are seeing things you want to see. Mourdock is clearly trying to run as conservative who just happens to get Tea Party support - and will welcome it.

I see the WaPo using actual quotes from Mourdock whereas your post is, well, all supposition based on what?

[Sarabaracuda]

"When they write that sentence, they do so hoping to simultaneously denigrate the tea party, and split them from this guy."

And Mourdock is already giving them the ammunition to do just that.