Richard Lugar's next chapter: A Q&A with Indiana's longest-serving U.S. senator

WASHINGTON | Richard Lugar takes a seat at a well-worn circular conference table. In an office filled with shiny, new fixtures, it's a notable relic from his 36-year career in the Senate.

March 03, 2013 12:00 am

Family establishes educational foundation in Katie Hall's memory

The family of the late Katie Hall, the Gary politician responsible for the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, has established a foundation in her memory aimed at honoring public service and promoting education.

BRIAN HOWEY: Congressional ideology doesn’t put pork on grill

On New Year's Day, Indiana's four freshman members of the U.S. House voted against the so-called fiscal cliff deal. If the deal hadn't passed — and it did by a 257 to 167 margin — most middle class families would have seen their taxes go up somewhere in the $2,000- to $3,000-a-year range.

BRIAN HOWEY: Daniels era has obliterated Indiana Democrats

From a political perspective, the decade-long "Mitch Daniels era" has been devastating for Indiana Democrats.

ANDREA NEAL: Lugar solved problems before others even saw them

Dick Lugar set a record as the longest-serving U.S. senator in Indiana history, yet his career can be summed up in a single word: visionary. During 50 years in Indiana politics his chief concern was never the next election but the next generation and the common good.

DOUG ROSS: Lugar's departure bring back memories of Bayh

I'm impressed by Dick Lugar's classy exit from the U.S. Senate. It brings back memories of Evan Bayh's departure just two years ago.

BRIAN HOWEY: Positives, negatives of campaign 2012

On Election Day, as I headed to my office to watch the returns, I stopped to pick up some Chinese carryout.

BRIAN HOWEY: Mourdock's words poised to defeat him

In the press filing room at Indiana University Southeast, the U.S. Senate debate was heading into the 45-minute mark, the candidates had been asked about abortion, and Republican nominee Richard Mourdock was speaking. In my estimation, he was winning this debate, pushing Democrat Joe Donnell…

DOUG ROSS: Foreign policy affects more than pocketbook

If you believe George Santayana's maxim that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," you might want to pay more attention to this year's elections. There could be serious consequences.

BRIAN HOWEY: The attempted sale of Indiana’s Senate seat

In a U.S. Senate race engulfed by obfuscated national special interest money, Democrat Joe Donnelly charged that the seat is being “sold.”

BRIAN HOWEY: Election consequences for Nunn-Lugar

Two elections this year are already yielding global change. The first occurred last March, when Vladimir Putin was returned to the Russian presidency. The second came two months later, when Hoosier Republican voters tossed out U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar in favor of Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock.

Road trip may steer voters to Obama

GARY | John Cowans believes that at 90 years old, if he can get out and encourage others to vote, anyone can.

BRIAN HOWEY: Mourdock trying to soften stance against compromise

It is admirable when a politician or officeholder finds or is confronted with new information that prompts a shift in position.

MARK KIESLING: Surveyor subpoenas may aid Republican challenger

Tuesday was just not working out for Lake County Surveyor George Van Til.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Lugar has earned a good send-off this year

Political losses are part of the system. Candidates campaign hard. Sometimes it gets ugly, and then one person wins and one loses. Some losses hurt more than others, as was the case after May’s Republican primary. As a participant in this year’s Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service …

BRIAN HOWEY: Brooks, Walorski take aim at GOP glass ceiling

Susan Brooks’ 5th Congressional District campaign conducted internal polling in mid-April and the news was disheartening. She trailed the front-runner, former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh, by 20 points. Twenty points?