Richard Mourdock’s campaign posted a video on YouTube of the Republican Senate candidate discussing what’s next after the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the Affordable Health Care Act.
“Well, we’ve had our brief moment of celebration because the court ruled that Obamacare is, in fact, unconstitutional. It’s what many of us argued all along,” Mourdock says. “But don’t sit back and think the fight is over because it isn’t. Barack Obama and Congressman Joe Donnelly are already putting Obamacare 2.0 together. …”
Problem is, the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the health care law. What if it is upheld?
“Well, the Supreme Court has done what none of us really thought could happen,” Mourdock states in a second video. “They’ve ruled Obamacare constitutional. Now, the fight has moved from the courts to the United States Congress. You can be sure starting January of 2013, if Republicans control the House and the Senate, we will be voting to repeal Obamacare once and for all.”
A third video covers a decision that strikes down a portion of the law, and a fourth reacts to one that is narrow or confusing.
The commonalities? Whatever the ruling, it is a reason to give money to Mourdock and vote Republican.
Politico discovered the videos, which were taken down not long afterward. The Mourdock campaign said the candidate wanted to be prepared for any decision.
Uncharacteristic support
Indiana Democrats normally miss no opportunity to criticize Gov. Mitch Daniels, but when he was named Purdue University president, the party’s leader had only nice things to say. “We congratulate Mitch Daniels on his appointment as president of Purdue University and wish him well in his new endeavor,” State Dem Chairman Dan Parker said.
But the Democrats haven’t had a change of heart. Less than two hours after issuing Parker’s statement, the party posted this from Hotline on Daniels’ decision to withdraw from partisan politics now:
“That’s tough news for Richard Mourdock and Mike Pence, whose campaigns would likely have reached out to the popular Republican for help. …”
Simpson’s replacement
Longtime Democratic state Sen. Vi Simpson cannot run for re-election because she is a candidate for lieutenant governor, meaning the Democrats will lose one of their most effective voices in a Senate where they hold virtually no power. A party caucus will choose a new candidate on Thursday. State Rep. Peggy Welch, thought to be a leading contender, said she would not seek the post, leaving three lesser-known Monroe County officials as candidates.
Though Simpson would officially become Senate president if she wins, that is largely a ceremonial role. The Senate president pro tem – now David Long of Fort Wayne – runs the Senate.
