Why Dick Lugar lost (MEGABARF - GOP-E helps the drive bys re-write history in real time)

Washington Compost ^ | May 9th | Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

Instant analysis of Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar’s crushing defeat at the hands of state Treasurer Richard Mourdock in Tuesday’s Republican primary cast it as yet another example of a tea party-aligned GOPer ousting a prominent face of the party establishment.

And that instant analysis would be wrong. Lugar lost — and lost badly — for a number of reasons, the vast majority of which had nothing to do with the relative tea party-ness of his opponent.

At its heart, Lugar’s defeat was attributable to the fact that he broke the political golden rule: Never lose touch with the people who elected you.

"A strong majority of GOP primary voters felt that Lugar had served too long and was too old and should retire," said Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster who conducted several bipartisan surveys in the state. “Three-fourths of voters supporting Mourdock said their reasons centered around Lugar’s longevity, age, and lack of residency."

[Always A Marine]

If the fossils of the GOP want to believe this bilgewater, fine and dandy. It just means they'll be easier marks themselves when their time comes.

I agree! Are you listening, Saxby Chambliss?

[JerseyDvl]

I just hope the same can be done to Lindsay Graham. Then he can come out of the closet.

[CaptainMorgantown]

At its heart, Lugar’s defeat was attributable to the fact that he broke the political golden rule: Never lose touch with the people who elected you.

And that is precisely why the Tea Party movement exists. So tell me again why this wasn't a Tea Party victory?