Tea Partiers After Meeting Lugar: “Our Ideas of Conservatism Do Not Match His”

I can't imagine whatever might possibly give them the idea that Dick Lugar's definition of being a conservative doesn't match with their definition of being conservative.

There was a time when Richard Lugar was Richard "We are all Keynesians now" Nixon's favorite mayor, after all, and Nixon was about the most liberal Republican president since the Great Depression. Lugar just might not have a whole lot in common with conservatives and Tea Party folks.

For the average conservative Republican primary voter, and the average Tea Party voter too, conservative isn't a label that you tack onto yourself at election time that is politically convenient and has relatively limited meaning except when campaigning. It's something they feel in their gut. It's something they know when they see. It's something that is deeply connected to the very foundation of their being and to how they live their lives. It also has a profound linkage to their view of the role of government in the lives of the American people and their view of the role of the United States in the world.

I know that sounds sappy, and I'm sure there's all sorts of establishment snobs rolling their eyes right now as they read this, but it's true. I also cannot emphasize this enough and politicians everywhere misunderstand it at their peril, and it's even worse to belittle it (as Lugar appears to be doing).

From the email bag:

Statement from Hoosiers for Conservative Senate:

Yesterday, December 13th, 2010, Representatives of Hoosiers for Conservative Senate, Greg Fettig of Hoosier Patriots and Monica Boyer of Kosciusko Silent NO More met with Senator Richard Lugar in Indianapolis.

Please read their response below:

We found Senator Lugar to be a very gracious and kind man. We were grateful for the opportunity to have breakfast with him and share our deep concerns regarding his philosophy and his voting record. However, we found at the conclusion of the meeting that our ideas of "Conservatism" do not match his. Hoosiers for Conservative Senate does not support his big government, big spending and liberal philosophy that is contrary to conservative Hoosier values .

The issues addressed with the Senator included the START Treaty, the DREAM act, the Liberal Judges he has rubberstamped for President Obama, Illegal Immigration, Earmarks, and the Federal Reserve. Senator Lugar stands firmly behind each of his decisions. We believe he has clearly lost touch with Indiana Hoosiers. It is the mission of Hoosiers for Conservative Senate to elect a new Conservative Senator that represents the true voice of Hoosiers and not the voices of special interests and lobbyists entrenched in Washington DC.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have met with Senator Lugar and we wish him wisdom and courage in the next two years as congress deals with the serious issues threatening our economy and country. Our prayers are with him.