Let’s not count our chickens before they are hatched.
FLASHBACK:
Sen. Richard Lugar defeated by tea party challenger
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/09/nation/la-na-lugar-election-20120509
“Conservative rival Richard Mourdock easily wins Indiana’s Republican Senate primary over the 35-year incumbent. He will face Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly in the general election.”
Followed by:
Joe Donnelly upsets Richard Mourdock in Indiana
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83440.html
“Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly pulled off a stunning upset over Republican Richard Mourdock in the Indiana Senate race — a battle that the GOP thought was a sure win until the final days of the campaign.”
In the longer run, this is a win even if the Republicans lose in the general election. The GOPe types need to learn that long term incumbent or not, you cannot declare war on your base without there being consequences.