mourdock? >> well, to the question -- to the statement you don't think you know everything, believe me, i don't either. the last 24 hours i've been asking myself how does a geologist end up as a candidate for the united states senate? but not being a lawyer, and to your point, i am one of those people who though i'm not a lawyer, i've read the constitution many times. and i understand from reading that and from reading the federalist papers, that we were originally designed to have a relatively weak federal government and stronger state governments. the several points you made on abortion, gay rights, gun rights, et cetera, being more the state issues, that is, as i said in the opening question, why i find this issue so interesting. the gay marriage issue with the states preemptively acting, as i don't recall they've ever done in american history before. i think saying that this is an awakening at the state level for a need to get back to the more federalist principles of the weaker federal gov

. >> mourdock! mourdock! >> ifill: at his victory rally, mourdock said hoosiers were not voting against lugar. they were voting for a different approach to governing. >> this race is not about animosity, it is about ideas. it is about the direction of the republican party. it is about the direction of our country. ( applause ) >> ifill: mourdock also pledged to help alter that direction. >> hoosier republicans want to see the republicans inside the u.s. senate take a more conservative track, and we're looking forward to helping them do it. ( applause ) >> ifill: the departure of yet another mainstream moderate could further alter the senate landscape this fall. democrats are defending 23 seats in november, republicans only ten. the most hotly contested races for both parties are underway in massachusetts and nevada. president obama won indiana in 2008, but the state is up for grabs once again this fall, when mourdock will face democrat joe donnelly, a three-term congressman. with more on how lugar w

[applause] >> the winner was state treasurer richard mourdock. this is 20 minutes. >> mourdock! [cheers and applause] [applause] [chanting "mourdock!"] >> i have a feeling that you guys are looking to party tonight. [applause] you know, you get ready for a moment like this and over the last few weeks, i've been trying to anticipate what this would be. i had a tremendous sense of momentum. i have to say, every time i would start to have that feeling, i would remind myself, this has not been about me. this has been about all of you. [applause] now i get to a totally ad lib. in the excitement of the moment, i left my speech back in my apartment. but that is ok. i've worked a couple of days trying to put together what my thoughts would be. i want to start with something very important. it was formed 42 days ago that about 200 -- it was 442 days ago that about 200 of us gathered at the arts a garden and we launched this campaign. at the time, we did something that i know shocked a lot of you. it stunned the news media. that is not why we did what we did. we did something that i put b

he grated mourdock but offered an ominous prediction for congress, writing "what mourdock has promised in this campaign is reflexible votes for a rejectionist orthodoxy and rigid opposition to the actions and proposals of the other party. 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." mourdock responded to this, this morning on "the daily rundown." >> what i've said is i certainly think that bipartisanship ought to consist of democrats coming to the republican point of view. >> well, there's that. joining us now from washington is former rnc chair and msnbc political analyst, the notorious michael steele. chairman steele, is this win, is mourdock's win a good thing for the republican party? >> well, yeah. i mean, i think it's -- you know, every win is, you know, a good day for the republican party if you're getting candidates out there who can carry that state or carry a congr

. >> that was indiana state treasurer, richard mourdock.won a hard-fought primary against six-term senator dick lugar. it was a loss for lugar and bipartisanship. mourdock has said that compromise is not in his vocabulary. his primary win should serve as a wake-up call to all democrats, because it shows the tea party is still a potent threat. his views are so far out of the main stream that mourdock should be easier for democrats to defeat in november. or so our next guest hopes. for that we're going to turn to washington, and donnelly, a four-term democrat from indiana and the mon who'll face off against mourdock in november. congressman donnelly, welcome inside "the war room." >> thank you so much for having me with you, jennifer. >> do you agree that mourdock will be an easier opponent that lugar. >> senator lugar has been an extrordanaire proponent of partisanship and working together. richard mourdock has spent all of his time talking about how you agree with him or you are not going to be part of the plan. and i have long said that th

the tea party backed richard mourdock. the key to mourdock's success, linking lugar to moderates and the president. >> i have worked with republican senator dick lugar to pass a law. >> what i did was reach out to senator dick lugar. >> if i'm interested in figuring out my foreign policy i associate myself with my running mate, joe biden or with dick lugar, the republican. >> that did not help. the other big reason is out of state money. they poured in more than $4 million. the national anti-tax group spent millions of dollars in an attack ad against lugar. he said that's why he's lost. it's not just happening in indiana, but centrist republicans facing tough challenges from more conservative members of their party. and some of the most centrist members of congress retiring. olympia snowe, joe lieberman among them. are the only people willing to find middle ground disappearing from washington? john avlon is here, michelle goldberg and hoa communications director for rick santorum. this is a big headline. this is a -- this

he faces mourdock this november.ficially becoming the nominee. >> thank you, chuck. thank you for having me on. >> i want to start with your reaction to richard lugar's manifesto of sorts, if you will. he really gets angry at both parties in here. obviously he's upset at his own party but he says he's finding too many democrats are doing the same thing, that partisanship wins the day, not enough reaching across the aisle. do you agree with him on that? >> you know, i do. i think what we have do is work together. the indianapolis star the other day said a few years ago we had five, six members of the indiana delegation who were moderates. he said the only two left are lugar and donnelly. i'm the only one left at this point. senator lugar and i worked repeatedly together to help save the auto industry. on numerous occasions he was extraordinarily helpful on issues like iraq and afghanistan and actually sat with me one time. you talk about the epitome of statesmanship. he said, joe, i want to help you with iraq and afgh

mourdock? is -- >> guest: well, to the statement you don't think you know everything, believe me, i don't either. the last 24 hours i've been asking myself how does a geologist end up as a candidate for the united states senate. but not being a lawyer, and to your point, you know, i am one of those people though i'm not a lawyer, i've read the constitution many times, and i understand from reading that and from reading the federalist papers that we were originally designed to have a relatively weak federal government and stronger state governments. the several points you made on abortion, gay rights, gun rights, etc., being more the state issues, that is, as i said in the opening question, why i find this issue so interesting. the gay marriage issue with the states preemptively acting as i don't recall they've done in american history before. i think that's saying that there is an awakening at the state level for a need to get back to the more federalist principles of the weaker federal governm

because mourdock, who richard -- mourdock now the nominee, he said that he actually campaigned against bipartisanship. he said i think it's a problem with washington is there's too much bipartisanship. which is sort of funny if you spend time in washington. you never -- you don't really hear that complaint very often. and he said his definition of bipartisanship is democrats agreeing with republicans. so he is sort of campaigning at the force of partisanship in washington and saying he will come here and be a -- tried and true conservative beliefs. gwen: he has to survive the general election before that happens. he's running against a democrat a. three-term congressman named joe donnellly. how is that shaping up? is he going to be easier -- is it going to be an easier shot for democrats because not running against lugar? >> if lugar was the nominee the state would have stayed republican. mourdock does bring an element of competitiveness to the race. democrats think of him as sharon angle and christine o'donnell. >> he's not that. >> won statewide twice before and in 2010 the highest v

mourdock,,the tate's tteesurer, saii he ran a clean campaign -- and his challenge not bout animmsity, it's is directioonof the republican -3 party, it is about he direction of our countty.in north carolinaa voters passed amendment banninn same-sex voters passed a in north carolina, about the dirrction of our republican party, it is direction of tte ideas. it iss &pabouu the animosity, it's it is about the direction of . the rrpublican party, it is about the direction of our country.in north carolina, voters passed a state ponstituuional amendmeet panning same-sex marriage.the pushee hard for he referendum. as we all know, marriage was - in an exclusive, lifelong covenant.weeare not aati-gay, we are pro-marriage.and in wisconsii, milwaukee mayor tom barrett beat out hhs rrvals in governor.he'll face embattled republican governor scott walker in the staae's recall shelby lln reporting. this isn't the first time parrettthas been atched &ppgainst walker.the two faced off in the 20-10 gubernatorial election. disturbing new video outtoo upstate new york... aptures a out-of-control driver.we

mourdock, thank you for being with us. if we could, let's start with what we were talking about with our audience a little earlier this morning. and that's president obama's statement endorsing gay marriage yesterday. i want to get your reaction to that. >> i was surprised me made it. as i traveled the state of indiana in the last 15 months, i've not heard the issue come up i don't think more than twice. and clearly in a state like indiana that is very conservative, that the president won in 2008. it will certainly work to his disadvantage here, and i see that happening in the other so-called critical swing states. i think that's going to be more of a negative than a plus for the president. >> what about your personal view? if it comes before the senate, what would your personal view be? >> well, i am one who believes that marriage should be one man, one woman. i have watched here in indiana as i think. i think 36 other states have passed the so-called gay marriage ban amendments. it's happened here in indiana. i appreciat

mourdock, a follow-up question.ned jim demint and the tea party to not compromising in the senate. and what would you say? i want to give you an opportunity to respond. what would you say when people criticize you as saying you don't understand the nature of the institution you're running to represent the senate which is really premised on the notion of compromising with your colleagues. >> well, i'm a huge student of american history and i recognize this is one of those times where there's great polarization between the two parties. and frankly the ideas for which the parties are working are really at opposite ends of the spectrum. i don't think there's going to be a lot of successful compromise. hence you have the deadlock we have today. what i've said about compromise, i hope to build a conservative majority so bipartisanship becomes democrats joining republicans to roll back the size of government, reduce the bureaucracy, and get america moving again. the stimulus plan hasn't worked. >> what i hear you say is yo

but when they had their debate, all of a sudden mourdock became viable.e looked at him and saidering held his own. he understands the issues. and there was the perception of two things. out of touch because he hasn't been here. and secondly, the underlying thing, age which really figured with some people. >> let me play kelly o'donnell's interview, asking about whether he's lost touch with the people in that state. >> i've been perfectly connected all the way along. it is a ridiculous charge. how could anybody be more hoosier? i have a farm out here that i continue to work with my sons. i manage it on behalf of our family. i'm in touch every week with everybody in the state. usually on the ground with visits but with our staffs, trying to meet almost every challenge of an individual hoosier or group. >> and those words sound good but they're not sticking. when you look at mourdock's background, he ran for office several times, not would have been in the past. so his resume is light but his words are strong or at least strong enough to have him really stan

mourdock is elected, i want him to be a good senator.ill require him to advise his stated goal of bringing more partisanship to washington. unless emad fews his approach he will achieve little as a legislator." in north carolina voters over we'llingly passed an amendment to the state's -- overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the state's constitution. north carolina women not recognize any union -- will not recognize any union between none married couples, gay or straight. president obama won yesterday's meaningless west virginia democratic primary with 60% of the vote. he's not popular there the other 40% went to an inmate serving a six year prison term in texas. >> postal service is trying to keep thousands of rural post offices from closing by shortening their hours. the mail service is backing away from plans to closer intoly 3700 post oftens starting -- several bay area locations are on that closure list. the backlash from the public has been so strong the plan is to reduce staffing and shorten hours to keep as many offices open as

mourdock is elected, i want him to be a good senator. that will require him to advise his stated goal of bringing more partisanship to washington. unless emad fews his approach he will achieve little as a legislator." in north carolina voters over we'llingly passed an amendment to the state's -- overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the state's constitution. north carolina women not recognize any union -- will not recognize any union between none married couples, gay or straight. president obama won yesterday's meaningless west virginia democratic primary with 60% of the vote. he's not popular there the other 40% went to an inmate serving a six year prison term in texas. >> postal service is trying to keep thousands of rural post offices from closing by shortening their hours. the mail service is backing away from plans to closer intoly 3700 post oftens starting -- several bay area locations are on that closure list. the backlash from the public has been so strong the plan is to reduce staffing and shorten hours to keep as many offices o

in his concession speech lugar said he wants to see mourdock win. >> i want to see a republican in the white house. i want to see my friend mitch mcconnell have majority in the senate. >> but shortly after his speech, lugar had some tough words for mourdock. his embrace of unrelenting partisan mindset is irreconcilable with my philosophy of governance. he will find that unless he modifies his approach, he will achieve little as a legislator. >>> as expected, voters in north carolina easily approved an amendment to the state constitution that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. the law also avoids domestic unions from carrying illegal status. north carolina is the 30th state to adopt a ban on same-sex marriage. on the democratic side, president obama won the west virginia presidential primary but a texas inmate got about 40% of the vote. keith judd is serving time for making threats at university of new mexico in 1999. he got on the ballot by paying a $2500 fee and filling out a form. west virginia's coal industry opposes the president's environmental policies and the

the members were a bit concerned mourdock may not fare well with democrats. dick lugar has lost his senate seat after 36 years. voters were out in force in the overwhelmingly approved an e amendment that bans same-sex marriage in that state. at mendment passed with 61% of the vote making north carolina the 30th state now in the country to support a constitutional privilege saying marriage is between one 3457b and one woman. they say it could strain custody battles for couples who are married out of wedlock. white house press secretary said president obama's views of the issue are, quote, evolving. poses a unique political challenge for the president particularly now when you see the vote in north carolina, a state the president narrowly won over senator john mccain won in 2008 and needs this time around. despite last night's vote, new national polling suggested growing acceptance of same-sex marriage nationally. the latest gallup poll says same sex couples should be allowed to wed, that's 50%. 48% say they oppose same-sex marriage. that's down 20 points from

richard lugar losing to tea party challenger richard mourdock. he won support by casting lugar as president obama's favorite republican. mourdock will be on fox and friends today at 7:00 a.m. >> scott walker now knows who he will face off against in his recall election next month. they know each other well to become governor in 2010. voters approved a constitutional amendment banling gay marriage. it is the 30th state in the country to adopt a ban. first republicans now house democrats calling for congress charges to get attorney general eric holder. he moves ahead with the subpoena last month after holder hands ore the documents. he denies he has been uncooperative. hundreds of weapons in the hands of mexican criminals. two of those guns ued in a shootout which killed u.s. border patrol agent brian perry. >> booed news if you are planning on retiring. the cost to pay for medical bills on the rise. they estimate a newly retired couple will need 240,000 dollars to help cover healthcare expenses even with medicare benefits. this estimate does not f

he's the democrat against whom richard mourdock will be running. in north carolina, the focus is on an amendment to ban gay marriage in the state of north carolina even though it's already banned there. much of the campaign against the aents-gay amendment has focused on the fact that it's language would not just ban marriage rights for same sex couple, it would ban all legal rights for all unmarried couples in the state. there are hundreds of thousands of unmarried couples who have some recognized legal status whether it's around child custody or police and prosecutor being able to protect you against domestic violence. that point about unmarried couples who aren't gay, that point said the anti-gay amendment will hurt them in north carolina by making the state an unattractive place to recruit top talent to work, those arguments and not the gay rights arguments were the focus of this robo call from bill clinton. >> i'm calling to urge you to vote against amendment one. fp it passes it won't change north carolina's law on marriage. what it will chang

mourdock said that the problem with lugar is that h crossed party lines.is not a way to run a country, but ideas winning momore and more. -- ti is winning more and more. it gives the demrats bitit of an opening in indiana. >> lugar is well respeed in washingtgton, the people back home thought he had gone washingt. he did not even have a permanent redence in indiana -- >> he had a farm. >> but that does not pass thias far asoing back and staying in touch with people in indiana. i have familyn indiana and they don't know lugar other tn any money washington. >> i like lugar, but he wais 80 years old. >> what are you in an ageist? >> oh, oh. >> this was a tea party vicictory mourdock is different in that he is a state treasurer, t somme nobody. but it does fortified position of t the tea party, and the biggest liability for lugar other than his agend his residency isis that barack obama had praised him as a senator he could work with. >> kiss of death. >> it was a over norist victory,oo. >> club for growth ended up spending -- >> let me ask about the mitt romn

my hunch is mourdock is going to win. i think it's one of those place where is people want more change and they're not comfortable -- and they have a governor who has brought tremendous changes. they have a real model of change. >> are you a supporter of mourdock? >> i have not gotten involved in primaries. >> do you think that if this means the seat in indiana comes into play in the general election -- >> oh, it won't. whoever wins will win the -- >> i will have to see you on that. do you think -- i want to talk about the tea party in general. they have not had -- mitt romney was certainly not their big pick for the republican primaries at the presidential level. it looks like orrin hatch in utah will survive what was a much stronger showing for the tea party when it came to a previous senator who was unseated. do you think the tea party has lost power? we're also looking at polls showing that people have a less favorable view of the tea party now. >> i think the effort to attack the tea party has had an impact. my exper

mourdock is different in the sense that he has been twice elected state treasurer. he is not a nobody. but it does fortified the position of the tea party, which is that the biggest liability against dick lugar was that bara obama had praised him as a senator he could work with. >> kiss of death. grover norquist victory, too. >> the republican vote, anything-but-tax -- >> let me ask about mitt romney in high-school kid he says he does not remember -- they roughed up a kid when they sends to looked different. >> kids are cru. i am sure that all of us did something we regret. kids are cruel, and this is something cruel he did. it does not necessarily define you for life. the question is whether anything like that comes up from later in life. >> he had a good response. he faced up to it and said he is sorry for it. i think he will be able to say that his life is in pretty since.ary cent >> maybe he just did not care, it did not mean one thing to him one way or the other. i want to say something about theea party and mitt romney. judson phillips was asked if he was goin

the victor was tea party-backed candidate richard mourdock.n "the daily rundown." >> it was resounding, much more so than we even expected on our team. i think the biggest thing was that for a long, long time, senator lugar had been out of touch with this state. >> joining me now is dominoco. senator lugar said of mourdock, he's pledged his support to groups whose prime mission is to cleanse the republican party. >> it's been this way, it's been a shift over the last four years. if you go back and look at the list of republican and democratic senators who were there in 2008, it is a lengthy list of moderates or at least people who could sometimes cross the aisle. and those people are gone. and it's upwards of about 14 or 15 of those kinds of folks. and we've seen it on both sides. you saw the tea party come in in 2010 and it's been a big push for ideological purity. >> mourdock spoke of the ramifications of that victory that he got last night. take a listen. >> who's your republicans want to see, the republicans inside the united states senate