Mourdock simply got tarred by the same brush for saying something on the same topic (no, not wise, but not like Aiken).
He did not lose for that statement, nor would he have won had he been totally wise in his talking about pregnancy; it was Lugar that played the revenge card from the bottom of the deck.
You are correct about Akin, and Huck, and the ego, the stroking, etc, and that he lost a seat that was a slam dunk win.
As for how big a part Lugar played in Mourdock’s loss, I can’t say, so I’ll trust you on that. I was speaking more in terms of how Mourdock’s statement played into the national mood and overall perception of the “war on women.” In that regard, it was inexcusable for him to touch that subject publicly. As a result, he will be historically lumped in with Akin forever.