TERRE HAUTE —
Indiana’s senior statesman described the fruits of his labors Sunday at a local pie shop filled with Republicans.
Sen. Richard Lugar dropped by Terre Haute’s Traverse City Pie Company on his way back to Indianapolis from a Lincoln Day Dinner program in Covington earlier in the day. With the U.S. Senate in recess, the Republican seeking re-election amid a primary challenge will spend the rest of the week making visits throughout the state, his staff said.
About 40 visitors milled about the east half of the restaurant, visiting with Lugar before his brief speech.
Pam Yoho, chairwoman of the 8th Congressional District Republican Party, pointed out that the event was sponsored by Lugar’s office, not the party, which will remain neutral through the primary in May. Lugar is being challenged by Republican Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
Still, Yoho said it was a great honor to introduce Lugar to the crowd, referencing Gov. Mitch Daniels’ description of him as a “national treasure.”
Randall Gentry, vice-chairman of the party, said he’s been disheartened by campaign statements questioning whether or not Lugar is a “real Hoosier.”
“That disappoints me a great deal,” he said, pointing out that the senator still manages his family’s farm and business in Indiana while serving in Washington, D.C.
Lugar said his campaign staff has made more than 700,000 phone calls in recent months, polling constituents about their concerns and priorities. The overall response seems to be that Hoosiers approve of his work to date, he said, adding that the economy and government spending dominate the conversations.
The federal government’s unsustainable spending spree won’t be stopped however until a balanced budget is achieved, and the administration of President Barack Obama has yet to get even one budget passed in three years, Lugar said.
Lugar pointed to several instances in which he’s directly opposed Obama on topics ranging from health care reform and tax policies to the approval of a new pipeline he said will bring jobs to Hoosier factories.
When asked about his relationship with the president and the use of pictures of the two standing side by side, Lugar said pictures of he and Obama have been used by the president’s staff for publicity purposes, and that he has consistently opposed the administration’s policies.
In one of the campaign fliers distributed at the event, Lugar writes in letter format, “Dear friend, Let me be clear, the Obama Administration is responsible for our failing economy. I have voted against President Obama’s liberal agenda at every turn.”
Terre Haute resident Al Morrison questioned the senator, asking him to respond to those who doubt his conservatism, and even his status as a “true Republican.”
Lugar dismissed the notion as “ridiculous,” detailing half a century of business experience intertwined within his resumé of public work, which spans service in the U.S. Navy to the mayorship of Indianapolis and U.S. Senate. Lugar noted he’s managed his family’s farm and manufacturing businesses since the 1950s, and remains firmly committed to agriculture and business in general.
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said he’s become concerned with what he perceives to be a “power grab” displayed by the federal government’s executive branch, one which ignores legislative oversight and simply issues mandates. Those moves have resulted in a number of problems for municipalities, particularly Terre Haute, which in the case of transportation dollars, isn’t getting back from Washington, D.C., what it’s sending out.
Lugar agreed, noting he’s witnessed the same overreach by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to farm regulations. Better budgeting and business-friendly policies are the answer, he said, adding that’s what he strives to create.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com
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