American Thinker ^ | 5/12/12 | Jay Clarke
Despite media obituaries proclaiming their demise, the Tea Party is alive and well. And highly energized. Like with Mark Twain, the reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.
The resounding defeat of Indiana's six-term Senator Richard Lugar by primary challenger and Tea Party favorite Richard Mourdock is proof positive that the Tea Party has not been sleeping.
Just...steeping.
Lugar was an establishment guy. How could he not be after 36 years in the Senate? He claimed to be a conservative. But endorsements from a pro-union group and a voting record that supported both of Obama's Supreme Court choices said otherwise. Lugar was even praised by the L.A. Times, hardly the home of conservative anything. Barack Obama and Democrat Senators John Kerry and Dick Durbin thought Lugar was a wonderful senator. Good indicators, all, that Indiana voters made the right choice to send him packing.
Lugar misjudged the mood of the electorate and lost touch with the values of his constituents. He sought votes in a state where he didn't even live and was surprised when polls showed him behind. In the end, his defeat was no surprise to anyone. As November approaches, other GOP incumbents have started to notice Lugar's misfortune and wonder, "Could I be next?"
The short answer? Absolutely.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
