He used to be known as “Richard Nixon’s favorite Mayor” when he was Mayor of Indianapolis and while the New York Times says he’s a “conservative” there is little in his record to indicate this. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar has always been a “moderate” Republican and has drifted further left as time goes by.

The Times also speaks of Lugar’s “affection” for Ronald Reagan which wasn’t reflected in his Chairmanship of Senator Howard Baker’s campaign for President in 1980. While there is no doubt that Lugar is a decent man and dedicated public servant, thirty years in the Senate is enough. The election of Dan Coats to the Senate from Indiana is proof the state can sustain the election of a real conservative.

Lugar is defying his party on an earmark ban, a bill that would create a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants, a military spending authorization bill and an arms control treaty with Russia, the Times noted on Sunday. He even declined to sign a brief supporting state lawsuits against President health care law.

Talk of a challenge from Governor Mitch Daniels are false.

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From CNSNews “It is called the Golden Rule,” said Graham. “‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ That is probably one of the most powerful statements ever made. It is divine in its orientation, and it is probably something that would serve us all well if we thought about it at moments such as this.”

Graham also said Kagan “meets the test” the Framers envisioned for a Supreme Court Justice.

“I am going to vote for Elena Kagan because I believe constitutionally she meets the test the Framers envisioned for someone to serve on the Court,” said Graham. “I don’t think the Framers ever envisioned Lindsey Graham from South Carolina voting no because President Obama picked someone who is clearly different than I would have chosen.” (more…)

Last month, Capitol Confidential reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could be set to give the already well-subsidized ethanol industry a big boost by approving an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent.  That item sits at the top of the agenda of Washington, D.C.’s powerful ethanol lobby; a decision is expected to be reached on it later this year.

However, it is not the only handout to what critics dub “Big Corn” that may be on the table.  Sources tell Capitol Confidential that pro-ethanol groups are also actively pushing for legislation that critics charge constitutes more government meddling in both the auto industry and the energy sector—and that they have some powerful advocates in Congress and the administration on their side.

About a week ago, Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, unveiled a “cap-and-trade alternative,” among whose key provisions would be one to push automotive manufacturers to increase the number of flex-fuel vehicles they build.  Flex fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85, which is 85 percent ethanol.  Consequently, critics charge, it would be a huge boon to ethanol producers—and also to government-controlled General Motors, a big producer of flex fuel vehicles—were Lugar’s legislation to pass and be signed into law.

That, in turn, is an outcome that ethanol critics tell Capitol Confidential Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack would strongly support.

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