With the May 8 Indiana Republican primary fast approaching, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and his allies are showing signs of desperation.
In what appears a pathetic last gasp at power, both Lugar and a SuperPAC called the American Action Network are running 30-second TV spots alleging that his primary opponent, Richard Mourdock, received “$45,000 in illegal second homestead tax deductions.”
There’s just one problem: Mourdock’s campaign has documented that the tax error was made by the Marion County Auditor’s Office — “who accepted responsibility for making a clerical mistake.” What is more, the paperwork in question was filed by a prior owner, not by Mourdock.
Lugar, of course, has been plagued by a series of missteps and conundrums, including residency issues first reported by The Daily Caller’s Will Rahn. Most recently, Mourdock, outraised the 36-year incumbent in the first quarter of this year.
The only conclusion one can draw from the ads is that Lugar and his allies don’t have much material to use against Mourdock. A poll conducted last month showed Lugar with a narrow lead. I wonder what Lugar’s internal polls are now showing?
This truly reeks of desperation.