Richard Lugar loses Senate primary -- one less sane Republican in congress

[Captain_Amazing]

@BrainGlutton

It’s the U.S. Senate. He’s just a kid.

4th oldest Senator, after Lautenberg, Inouye, and Akaka. It was an issue in the race. Youngest Senator, btw, is 40 year old Mike Lee, from Utah.

[Askance]

Just to make sure this isn’t only enjoyed by the SRIotD thread:

“Bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view.”
—Senatorial candidate Richard Mourdock, winner of the Indiana GOP primary

[BrainGlutton]

@Captain_Amazing

4th oldest Senator, after Lautenberg, Inouye, and Akaka. It was an issue in the race. Youngest Senator, btw, is 40 year old Mike Lee, from Utah.

Well, perhaps I’m judging by the high bar Strom Thurmond set.

[Captain_Amazing]

Thurmond was very old at the end of his Senate career. But he also died 9 years ago, and was atypical in terms of his age. So I don’t know that he’s your best example when looking at Senate ages.

Right now, there are 4 senators in their 80s, 22 in their 70s, 35 in their 60s, 28 in their 50s, and 8 in their 40s.

Eh, I’ve counted wrong, but it’s about that.

[BrainGlutton]

@Captain_Amazing

Thurmond was very old at the end of his Senate career. But he also died 9 years ago, and was atypical in terms of his age. So I don’t know that he’s your best example when looking at Senate ages.

Perhaps not. But, the median age is 62! That’s when most people are getting ready to retire!

[I_Love_Me_Vol.I]

@Giles

Back in 2008 I said a couple of times – here and here – that Obama could carry Indiana in the presidential election. He did, and I equally think that the Democrats could win the Senate seat in Indiana this year, with a Tea Party candidate running against a strong campaign from the Dems. Indiana tends to the red side of politics, but there’s a solid middle-of-road segment there, plus some solid blue areas, such as in Lake County (in the suburbs of Chicago).

Also Marion County (Indianapolis).

ETA: (and unrelated) Lugar is the kind of guy that should have been nominated for president at some point. Even liberals (like me) could have lived with a Lugar presidency.

He’s what I wish the GOP could be… good, sensible people who want what’s best for the country, but just happen to disagree with me on some policy issues.

[BrainGlutton]

JOHN STEWART: Oh, no! Not Dick Lugar! Not our most porn-named senator!

[Frostillicus]

@furt

This is even worse than when they tried to replace Joe Lieberman with Ned Lamont. Damn Tea Partiers.

Yes! Republicans replacing the very conservative Lugar with an extreme-rightwing nutjob is EXACTLY the same as Democrats in CT replacing conservative Joe (I Love John McCain and will support him in 2008) Lieberman with a liberal democrat who actually represents their values. Kudos!

[appleciders]

@Giles

Back in 2008 I said a couple of times – here and here – that Obama could carry Indiana in the presidential election. He did, and I equally think that the Democrats could win the Senate seat in Indiana this year, with a Tea Party candidate running against a strong campaign from the Dems. Indiana tends to the red side of politics, but there’s a solid middle-of-road segment there, plus some solid blue areas, such as in Lake County (in the suburbs of Chicago).

My extended family in Indiana, while just as socially conservative as any Bible-belt small-towners you can imagine, are all registered Democrats, and for one simple reason: they’re all union members. They can see how much better life is in the union towns, for everyone, including non-union members. I have uncles so racist that they literally turned their backs on Obama at a campaign event, and yet they vote Democratic most of the time. Don’t discount the rust-belt parts of the state.

[Chronos]

Remember, the word “senator” comes from the same root as “senile”.

[BrainGlutton]

@Chronos

Remember, the word “senator” comes from the same root as “senile”.

Yes, from the Latin senex, “old man.” (The Roman Senate originally was an assembly of the senior – there’s that word again – patriarchs of the leading clans.)