This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/09/tea-party-richard-lugar-congress

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tea Party lauds Richard Lugar defeat as Congress gets set for more deadlock Tea Party lauds Richard Lugar defeat as Congress gets set for more deadlock
(about 1 hour later)
The ousting of Republican senator Richard Lugar at the hands of the Tea Party diminishes any prospect of an early end to the current congressional deadlock, political analysts predicted on Wednesday.The ousting of Republican senator Richard Lugar at the hands of the Tea Party diminishes any prospect of an early end to the current congressional deadlock, political analysts predicted on Wednesday.
They said the exit of Lugar, a six-term senator who often backed bipartisan compromises, was likely to make other centrist-leaning Republican members of Congress hesitate about doing deals with the Democrats.They said the exit of Lugar, a six-term senator who often backed bipartisan compromises, was likely to make other centrist-leaning Republican members of Congress hesitate about doing deals with the Democrats.
Without bipartisan co-operation, Congress has found it difficult to get anything done. The exit of Lugar, the biggest scalp claimed by the Tea Party this year, increases the polarisation of Congress. His successor, Richard Mourdock, in an interview with Fox on Wednesday, claimed his victory dispelled all reports that the Tea Party was dying. "If anyone really believed that about the tea parties, they were mistaken," Mourdock said, citing the help of thousands of its members in his campaign.Without bipartisan co-operation, Congress has found it difficult to get anything done. The exit of Lugar, the biggest scalp claimed by the Tea Party this year, increases the polarisation of Congress. His successor, Richard Mourdock, in an interview with Fox on Wednesday, claimed his victory dispelled all reports that the Tea Party was dying. "If anyone really believed that about the tea parties, they were mistaken," Mourdock said, citing the help of thousands of its members in his campaign.
Lugar accused Mourdock of having an "unrelenting partisan mindset". Ross Baker, professor of politics at Rutgers who, until a few weeks ago, had been attached to the office of Democratic senate leader Harry Reid, saw the Lugar defeat as even more significant than the Tea Party ousting of Republican senator Bob Bennet in 2010.Lugar accused Mourdock of having an "unrelenting partisan mindset". Ross Baker, professor of politics at Rutgers who, until a few weeks ago, had been attached to the office of Democratic senate leader Harry Reid, saw the Lugar defeat as even more significant than the Tea Party ousting of Republican senator Bob Bennet in 2010.
"If the defeat of Republican senator Robert Bennett in the 2010 Republican caucus in Utah was a shot across the bow of the few Republican centrists, the defeat of senator Richard Lugar is a hit below the waterline," Baker said."If the defeat of Republican senator Robert Bennett in the 2010 Republican caucus in Utah was a shot across the bow of the few Republican centrists, the defeat of senator Richard Lugar is a hit below the waterline," Baker said.
"Crypto-moderates among senate Republicans such as Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina will probably need to stifle their impulse to compromise. Even Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, seen by members of the Tea Party as unacceptably centrist, may be less disposed to do business with majority leader Harry Reid for fear of being accused of trading with the enemy.""Crypto-moderates among senate Republicans such as Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina will probably need to stifle their impulse to compromise. Even Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, seen by members of the Tea Party as unacceptably centrist, may be less disposed to do business with majority leader Harry Reid for fear of being accused of trading with the enemy."
Although Lugar's defeat was widely anticipated based on polling, the scale of his defeat was higher than the polls had suggested. Mourdock took 61% to Lugar's 39%.Although Lugar's defeat was widely anticipated based on polling, the scale of his defeat was higher than the polls had suggested. Mourdock took 61% to Lugar's 39%.
Rightwing commentators were celebrating on Wednesday, particularly Tea Party groups such as FreedomWorks, which endorsed Mourcock in October and which spent $600,000 campaigning for him.Rightwing commentators were celebrating on Wednesday, particularly Tea Party groups such as FreedomWorks, which endorsed Mourcock in October and which spent $600,000 campaigning for him.
The Democrats were celebrating too, arguing that Lugar's removal shifted Indiana from being a safe Republican state to a toss-up one.The Democrats were celebrating too, arguing that Lugar's removal shifted Indiana from being a safe Republican state to a toss-up one.
The Democratic chairpwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schulz, said in a statement: "It's official: the Republican party is now indistinguishable from the Tea Party." The Democratic chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schulz, said in a statement: "It's official: the Republican party is now indistinguishable from the Tea Party."
Barack Obama, recalling his time as a senator, praised Lugar for his willingness to compromise. "As a friend and former colleague, I want to express my deep appreciation for Dick Lugar's distinguished service in the United States senate. While Dick and I didn't always agree on everything, I found during my time in the Senate that he was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done," Obama said, in a statement released by the White House.Barack Obama, recalling his time as a senator, praised Lugar for his willingness to compromise. "As a friend and former colleague, I want to express my deep appreciation for Dick Lugar's distinguished service in the United States senate. While Dick and I didn't always agree on everything, I found during my time in the Senate that he was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done," Obama said, in a statement released by the White House.
With Congressional elections looming in November as well as the White House one, the chances of any significant legislation passing this year are small. But a polarised Congress could mean more Washington deadlock for Obama in a second term or even for Mitt Romney, who is closer to the centre than the Tea Party. With Congressional elections looming in November as well as the White House one, the chances of any significant legislation passing this year are small. But a polarised Congress could mean more Washington deadlock for Obama in a second term or even for Mitt Romney, who is closer to the centre than the Tea Party.
Romney phoned Mourdock on Tuesday night to congratulate him on his win and left a message for Lugar.Romney phoned Mourdock on Tuesday night to congratulate him on his win and left a message for Lugar.
Lugar is the first significant victim of the Tea Party this year. The movement will now turn on other targets: columnist Molly Ball carried out a detailed analysis of the various races on the Atlantic website.Lugar is the first significant victim of the Tea Party this year. The movement will now turn on other targets: columnist Molly Ball carried out a detailed analysis of the various races on the Atlantic website.
Orrin Hatch, the Utah senator, who took office in 1977, faces a Tea Party challenger on 26 June. Hatch will be harder to remove than Lugar, who was slow to react to the Tea Party challenge. Hatch just narrowly failed to secure the 60% majority that would have avoided a primary contest.Orrin Hatch, the Utah senator, who took office in 1977, faces a Tea Party challenger on 26 June. Hatch will be harder to remove than Lugar, who was slow to react to the Tea Party challenge. Hatch just narrowly failed to secure the 60% majority that would have avoided a primary contest.
Other potential targets could also prove harder to shift. In the 2010 primaries, the Tea Party enjoyed a string of victories that saw Marco Rubio and Rand Paul securing senate places, but 2012 looks tougher.Other potential targets could also prove harder to shift. In the 2010 primaries, the Tea Party enjoyed a string of victories that saw Marco Rubio and Rand Paul securing senate places, but 2012 looks tougher.