What the Defeat of Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IND) Means

      One obvious meaning is that the GOP has gotten further to the Right. It again shows the strength of the Tea Party.

      "Democrats bemoan his GOP primary loss in Indiana as a blow to bipartisan cooperation. Members of his own party are more restrained in their admiration."

       http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-lugar-20120510,0,664682.story

       Should they bemoan this though? True Lugar was in the mold of a traditional kind of conservative Republican you don't see much anymore.

        He is a conservative of the more classic mode," said former Republican Sen. Robert F. Bennett of Utah. "This is the end of an era."

         Through the years he was often the voice of reason and was helpful in ending gridlock:

          "Days before Christmas 2010, Congress was in a foul mood. Republicans had just swept the midterm elections, but Democrats were intent on finishing the year with a landmark lame-duck session on President Obama's top priorities."

         "One measure, a revamped nuclear nonproliferation treaty with Russia, faced Republican opposition and an uncertain fate. Key GOP leaders opposed it."

         "But Sen.Richard G. Lugarof Indiana, the party's elder statesman on foreign policy issues, was in favor. His stature helped deliver enough GOP votes to provide the supermajority needed for approval, and that Congress finished as one of the most productive in a generation."

         "Lugar's defeat in this week's GOP primary election to Richard Mourdock, a tea-party-backed conservative, essentially brings to a close an age of quiet diplomacy in American politics that no longer appears to have much currency on Capitol Hill."

           The Democrats sound like they'll miss him more than his own party:

            "The partisan divide over Lugar's forced retirement was reflected in tributes to the 80-year-old senator, whose campaign appeared caught off guard by the bare-knuckle contest that ended in a landslide for his opponent. Mourdock, who won more than 60% of the vote, will face Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly in what is now one of this fall's most-watched races."

           "From Obama down, Democrats bemoaned the loss of a bipartisan partner — a thinking person's senator known to put principle before party. Former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), whose name shares a pivotal nuclear disarmament measure with Lugar, called him a "model for collegiality."

          "Republicans were more restrained, speaking generally of the respect and affection they have for their senior member."

          I think while Lugar was a good man on many things the Democrats stand to benefit from Lugar's loss both in the state of Indiana where the GOP candidate-Mourdock-is a Far Right Libertarian. Joe Donnelly may have a very easy time locking up the Center.

           More generally it it this that may be one thing that really helps the Democrats in the Congressional races including the Senate where they have 21 seats up for grabs to only 10 for the GOP.  I think you'll see the more presentable Republicans in many races picked off by Hard Right candidates. But this will hurt them in the general election.

            This is what is hurting Romney-he really has not been able to "pivot" very much so far. I think the more Tea Party Candidates win the primary the better shape the Democrats are in for the general election.