Lugar lets out what is, for him, a primal scream against the modern day Republican Party.

[kpete]

He and I share many positions, but his embrace of an unrelenting partisan mindset is irreconcilable with my philosophy of governance and my experience of what brings results for Hoosiers in the Senate. In effect, what he has promised in this campaign is reflexive votes for a rejectionist orthodoxy and rigid opposition to the actions and proposals of the other party. His answer to the inevitable roadblocks he will encounter in Congress is merely to campaign for more Republicans who embrace the same partisan outlook. He has pledged his support to groups whose prime mission is to cleanse the Republican party of those who stray from orthodoxy as they see it.


.................

Unfortunately, we have an increasing number of legislators in both parties who have adopted an unrelenting partisan viewpoint. This shows up in countless vote studies that find diminishing intersections between Democrat and Republican positions. Partisans at both ends of the political spectrum are dominating the political debate in our country. And partisan groups, including outside groups that spent millions against me in this race, are determined to see that this continues. They have worked to make it as difficult as possible for a legislator of either party to hold independent views or engage in constructive compromise. If that attitude prevails in American politics, our government will remain mired in the dysfunction we have witnessed during the last several years. And I believe that if this attitude expands in the Republican Party, we will be relegated to minority status. Parties don’t succeed for long if they stop appealing to voters who may disagree with them on some issues.

....................

I don’t remember a time when so many topics have become politically unmentionable in one party or the other. Republicans cannot admit to any nuance in policy on climate change. Republican members are now expected to take pledges against any tax increases. For two consecutive Presidential nomination cycles, GOP candidates competed with one another to express the most strident anti-immigration view, even at the risk of alienating a huge voting bloc. Similarly, most Democrats are constrained when talking about such issues as entitlement cuts, tort reform, and trade agreements. Our political system is losing its ability to even explore alternatives. If fealty to these pledges continues to expand, legislators may pledge their way into irrelevance. Voters will be electing a slate of inflexible positions rather than a leader.

lots more:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/may/08/text-sen-richard-lugars-two-primary-election-state/
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/dick-lugar-doesnt-go-quietly.php?ref=fpa

[tanyev]

1. Mourdock: Bipartisanship Ought To Consist Of Dems Coming To GOP Point Of View

Making the rounds on morning television after defeating Sen. Dick Lugar in the Indiana primary, Richard Mourdock dismissed Lugar’s parting shot.

“I have a mindset that says bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view,” Mourdock said on Fox, according to Politico. “You know, I’ve said many times through this campaign that one of the things I hope to do is to help build a conservative majority in the United States Senate and continue to help the House build a Republican majority and have a Republican White House and then bipartisanship becomes having Democrats come our way. So that’s what we’re working towards and I think in the days ahead, Mr. Lugar will join our effort.”

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/mourdock-bipartisanship-ought-to-consist-of-dems-coming


Maybe more of a bellyfeel than a mindset. Black is white.

[hifiguy]

3. In other words, he's a dictatorial fascist asshat

to whom only one point of view is tolerable. Scary but predictable given today's neo-fascist Repuke party.

[Fawke Em]

5. I don't think I'd even call them "neo-fascist."

There's nothing new about their particular brand of fascism. As a matter of fact, their brand of corporatization of the government is the epitome of the term.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Lugar at least comes across as thoughtful and well spoken.

No wonder he lost in today's GOP.

[JHB]

4. Primal for him, but still more "both sides do it" bullshit

Exactly what "partisans" on the left are dominating Democratic Party debate?

Similarly, most Democrats are constrained when talking about such issues as entitlement cuts, tort reform, and trade agreements.

Oh, right, the things that keep most Americans from being left to the wolves. Damn those partisan lefties for making noise about these.

[Scurrilous]

6. K & R