One more Lugar-Mourdock difference:
Senator Dick Lugar still won’t say whether he’ll support state treasurer Richard Mourdock if he wins the Republican primary on May 8. My repeated requests for comment on this topic have been rebuffed or evaded by the Lugar camp.
[. . .]
It may be that when he’s embattled and with polls tight, the Lugar camp doesn’t want to admit the possibility of defeat. His opponent, on the other hand, is willing to answer the question forthrightly. A spokesman told me, “Yes, Mourdock will support the winner of the Republican U.S. Senate primary.”
I don't think this is a sign of a Lugar character flaw or a Mourdock virtue. It's easier to be gracious when you just miss out on something you never had than when you lose something you've come to think you're entitled to.
I'm guessing that if Mourdock does win, Lugar will relent and endorse him for the general election. Or at least I hope he will. To do otherwise would be to put an ugly end to an honorable career.
