Republican Sen. Lugar to oppose House GOP's $61B spending cuts

Hill ^ | 03/08/11 | Alexander Bolton -

[george76]

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the most senior member of the Senate Republican Conference, said Tuesday he will oppose the House-passed proposal to make drastic cuts to the federal budget.

He is the first Senate Republican to publicly state his opposition to a plan that Democrats have blasted as “reckless.”

Lugar, who is facing a Tea Party-backed challenge in the 2012 Indiana Republican primary, is taking a political risk. But he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts that will eliminate funding for some federal programs in mid-year.

[Jim Noble]

But he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts

A steep cut would be all $1.7 billion at once.

$61 billion is 3% of the borrowed money, 1% of spending.

That's not a steep cut, it's an insult.

[wiggen]

“he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts”
Steep? Steep? the hole we’re in and they call 61 Billion steep?

[SMARTY]

If not now then WHEN ? ? ? ?

[ScottinVA]

But he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts that will eliminate funding for some federal programs in mid-year.

I despise "centrist" Republicans, damn near as much as I despise liberal dems. They're nothing more than a friggin' debating club. Lots of talking leading to nowhere.

Indiana... please... get rid of this dried up old RINO.

[Oldpuppymax]

So Lugar was against the spending cuts until he was FOR them??!!! For anyone else who finally figured the story out, it looks like Lugar is more than just a little worried about his re-election chances, should he continue his super-RINO ways!! In short, he’s been intimidated into seeing the light!!!! GOOD!!!

[dforest]

This POS thinks he is going to get reelected?

Sorry Dick.

[skeeter]

I missed Lugar using words like 'drastic' when referring to to the Obama/Pelosi/Reid one trillion dollar budget increases in 2010.

What I don't understand is the b*stard voted against the 2010 budget, presumably because of the DRASTIC increases in spending. Now he simply can't bare to cut a measley 60 billion.

[jersey117]

Still trying to figure out why this guy’s so in bed with obama.

[muawiyah]

Lugar was NEVER a Democrat, nor was he ever appointed by a Democrat to anything, so he's not a RINO.

On the other hand he is old, funky and totally senile. He's talking "crazy talk" now ~

Bet he doesn't make it to the end of this term before he resigns from the Senate and checks into some sort of hospital.

[Jim Robinson]

Feeling great! Just narrowly escaped a close encounter with the sawbones.

[nascarnation]

This is very unfortunate.
Lugar was a good man back when he was Mayor of Indianapolis in the 70s.
He came up with the Unigov plan that changed the city govt to control the entire county, not just the city limits.
This had a very positive effect of not allowing the inner city minority vote to control the city govt.
Indianapolis has prospered because of this.

Unfortunately in his old age he’s getting senile.
I just can’t understand why a guy who’s 78 can’t just retire and enjoy life.

[MrDem]

WHAT A WICKED SCUMABG!

[MPJackal]

Luger called the cuts ““reckless.”

$223 BILLION a month is reckless Luggie.

[maddog55]

So Sen. Lugar is basically a:

[TheCause]

He's going Alren on us! I think he is going to flip parties.

[org.whodat]

Is Arlen still barricaded in his office????

[Eagle of Liberty]

The deficit for last month alone was $223 billion and these a$$holes are quibbling over a token $5 billion a month cut in spending as if it’s the end of the world? Please.

We must expect crap like this for the next two years. We won the House and that's awesome, but we didn't get the Senate. The Senate will be the roadblock for the next two years. I just hope that voters place the proper blame in 2012.

[Longbow1969]

He's going Alren on us! I think he is going to flip parties.

That was my suspicion. He must know he is in trouble in his upcoming primary, sounds like he may be preparing for a party switch.

We will know for sure when he starts defending the unions in Indiana and showing sympathy for the Indiana Democrat fleebaggers.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Thats the whole idea Dick. Eliminate funding for some Federal Programs.

[CORedneck]

Time for Dick to go ! He long worn out the welcome mat !