Lugar Versus Mourdock, The Final Push

Lugar versus Mourdock: the final square-off

Together under one roof, Senator Dick Lugar and Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock made one final push. Both U-S Senate candidates addressed hundreds of Allen County Republican voters at the county's Lincoln Day Dinner. And with just one week until Indiana's primary election, neither candidate held back when given the chance to take until a jab at their opponent.

"When you look at Mister Lugar's record over the last few years, he's not been in the conservative camp" says Mourdock.

Meanwhile Lugar defended his stance against the Obama administration.

"It's ridiculous and a charge that can only be made by somebody who has no idea what so ever about what's occurring in government" Lugar says.

With the economy still hanging in the balance, both candidates are focusing on ways to balance the budget and reduce America's debt.

Mourdock says cuts must be made at the federal level.

"The Federal Government's role has been a dismal failure in many areas" he says.

He's proposing getting rid of the U-S Federal Department of Education.
"Since the U-S Federal Department of Education was formed, America's test scores at best have stayed flat and have dropped somewhat. Education is one of those things that's best done at the state level not the federal level" says Mourdock.

Meanwhile Lugar says he supports the Ryan plan, a House plan to cut spending by $6.4 trillion.

Both candidates have also picked up high profile endorsements. Mourdock is being back by Sarah Palin, while Lugar has the support of John McCain

"There's no one in America who has more influence on America than Sarah Palin" Mourdock says. While Lugar says "you can make a choice and I choose John."

It's been a tight race between Mourdock and Lugar and new polls show the race is still tightening. According to a poll by pro-Mourdock group Citizens United, Mourdock leads Lugar 44 to 39 percent among likely voters.

But, Lugar has been fighting back. This past week his camp released a new ad featuring Governor Mitch Daniels touting Lugar's experience and influence in Washington.