Ann Wagner Defends Dick Lugar From Tea Party Attacks

Jo Mannies at the Beacon reported that Ann Wagner will be co-hosting a fundraiser for Dick Lugar, who's trying to fend off a likely primary challenge from tea party favorite Richard Mourdock:

Some of the region's most prominent Republican activists -- including Sam Fox, Roy Pfautch and possible U.S. Senate candidate Ann Wagner -- are co-hosting a fundraising event later this month to aid veteran U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., who's facing a stiff primary challenge in 2012.

It continues:

Fox's letter goes on to warn that Lugar is expected "to face a formidable competitor" in 2012. What it doesn't mention is that the rival, for the moment, is a prominent fellow Republican: Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who is apparently close to the Tea Party movement in his state.

In fact, the Washington publication The Hill reports this week that some Indiana GOP members of Congress, including Mike Pence, are declining to endorse Lugar's re-election, choosing instead to remain neutral.

Earlier in the year, Lugar told the tea party to "get real" because of their opposition to the START treaty.