Calm, Collected, Mourdock Prepares for Primary
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: May 1, 2012
If a political campaign is a race, for Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, his campaign is a marathon against the establishment.
"I'm comfortable with that," said Mourdock. "As I've talked with thousands of Hoosiers the last 15 months, they're tired of the establishment. They want to have people who are willing to make decisions and not just play the game and not just go along to get along."
This self-described runner knows the ebb and flow of a marathon, from shotgun starts to photo finishes. But in his 15-month marathon to unseat long-time Senator Dick Lugar, It will take much more than your typical 26 mile race.
"I'm a conservative that believes we have to make the federal government smaller," said Mourdock. "We have to have the same discipline we've had in Indiana where we've balanced our budget. I'm willing to make those tough decisions."
"I'm a person who has been known in my political career as someone who really stands up for what i believe in. It's not going to be easy to roll back the size of government but it's what we must do."
If it's not going to be easy to roll back the size of government, it will be just as difficult to untrench a long-time fixture of government, 35 year veteran Sen. Dick Lugar.
On Mourdock's campaign stops along the way, the state treasurer touted the success of the Hoosier State and his relationship with Governor Mitch Daniels.
"We've made government smaller," said Mourdock. "That's why i get along so well with the governor because we are absolutely in lock-step in those philosophies."
Some would say this lock-step relationship might have taken a misstep. Governor Daniels, one of Mourdock's closest friends, recently endorsed Mourdock's bitter rival, Sen. Lugar.
"The governor and I spoke before I even announced I would become a candidate and he reminded me his oldest daughter's godfather is Dick Lugar," said Mourdock. "There are things in life more important than politics and friendship is one of those."
"(Gov. Daniels) assured me, in his words, we're good, meaning our friendship is still solid and after this primary I have no doubt he'll be supporting us whole-heartedly."
Regardless of friends, foes and godfathers, campaigns are long, grueling and in some cases dirty.
"This may surprise you but I never see them," said Mourdock in reference to the current attack ads on radio and television. "When there are radio ads, I don't hear them. I've been on total TV and radio blackout for about six weeks."
Secluded and sequestured from attack ads -- from both sides -- Mourdock says he finds refuge at home in southwest Indiana.
"When I took my first meeting as a county commissioner in Vanderburgh county," said Mourdock. "If anyone had told me a few years later I'd be doing this, I would have never believed it."
"I'm a geologist by training, loved my 31 years in the energy business, and yet to come back home to southern Indiana is always special."
In the final sprint, Mourdock counts down the days, hours and minutes left until the May 8th primary. But does the state treasurer -- one part runner, the other part politician -- get nervous before the marathon's end?
"That's a great question," said Mourdock. "It's like i've run the last 10 mile run before the marathon. I know I've done everything I can do to get ready. Now I can just relax."
"Will I get nervous come election day? Of course I will."
If a campaign is a marathon, Richard Mourdock can only hope it leads to yet another race. That race is In November.
"I'm comfortable with that," said Mourdock. "As I've talked with thousands of Hoosiers the last 15 months, they're tired of the establishment. They want to have people who are willing to make decisions and not just play the game and not just go along to get along."
This self-described runner knows the ebb and flow of a marathon, from shotgun starts to photo finishes. But in his 15-month marathon to unseat long-time Senator Dick Lugar, It will take much more than your typical 26 mile race.
"I'm a conservative that believes we have to make the federal government smaller," said Mourdock. "We have to have the same discipline we've had in Indiana where we've balanced our budget. I'm willing to make those tough decisions."
"I'm a person who has been known in my political career as someone who really stands up for what i believe in. It's not going to be easy to roll back the size of government but it's what we must do."
If it's not going to be easy to roll back the size of government, it will be just as difficult to untrench a long-time fixture of government, 35 year veteran Sen. Dick Lugar.
On Mourdock's campaign stops along the way, the state treasurer touted the success of the Hoosier State and his relationship with Governor Mitch Daniels.
"We've made government smaller," said Mourdock. "That's why i get along so well with the governor because we are absolutely in lock-step in those philosophies."
Some would say this lock-step relationship might have taken a misstep. Governor Daniels, one of Mourdock's closest friends, recently endorsed Mourdock's bitter rival, Sen. Lugar.
"The governor and I spoke before I even announced I would become a candidate and he reminded me his oldest daughter's godfather is Dick Lugar," said Mourdock. "There are things in life more important than politics and friendship is one of those."
"(Gov. Daniels) assured me, in his words, we're good, meaning our friendship is still solid and after this primary I have no doubt he'll be supporting us whole-heartedly."
Regardless of friends, foes and godfathers, campaigns are long, grueling and in some cases dirty.
"This may surprise you but I never see them," said Mourdock in reference to the current attack ads on radio and television. "When there are radio ads, I don't hear them. I've been on total TV and radio blackout for about six weeks."
Secluded and sequestured from attack ads -- from both sides -- Mourdock says he finds refuge at home in southwest Indiana.
"When I took my first meeting as a county commissioner in Vanderburgh county," said Mourdock. "If anyone had told me a few years later I'd be doing this, I would have never believed it."
"I'm a geologist by training, loved my 31 years in the energy business, and yet to come back home to southern Indiana is always special."
In the final sprint, Mourdock counts down the days, hours and minutes left until the May 8th primary. But does the state treasurer -- one part runner, the other part politician -- get nervous before the marathon's end?
"That's a great question," said Mourdock. "It's like i've run the last 10 mile run before the marathon. I know I've done everything I can do to get ready. Now I can just relax."
"Will I get nervous come election day? Of course I will."
If a campaign is a marathon, Richard Mourdock can only hope it leads to yet another race. That race is In November.
