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In reply to the discussion: Mourdock: Rape Pregnancies ‘Something That God Intended to Happen’ [View all]caraher
(6,278 posts)Lugar probably could have won as a third-party candidate, but I believe there's a rule in Indiana specifically prohibiting a losing primary candidate from being on the ballot in the general election. Even before this gaffe, a lot of Lugar Republicans were planning to sit this out or vote for Donnelly. Lugar himself has chosen not to campaign for Mourdock (I believe he also refused to congratulate him on his primary victory) but has also been very careful not to advocate against him. About a week ago the Indy newspaper tried to get Lugar to say anything about Mourdock, but he refused to bite. The best they could get was relating a story of a lifelong Republican telling Lugar he planned to vote for a Democrat for the first time ever, and Lugar said simply, "I understand."