McCain appeals to Lugar Republicans

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana Senate battle between Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Richard Mourdock brought Arizona Senator John McCain to Indianapolis Wednesday.

McCain was joined by another Republican, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, for a fundraiser followed by a roundtable discussion and it's all about sending the message that a vote for Joe Donnelly is a vote for Democratic control of the Senate.

Of course, that's not what the Republicans want and they talked about the potential benefits of Republican control with a group of business people at the Easley Winery near downtown Wednesday morning. Afterward they took questions from reporters and the focus was entirely on sending a message to the Lugar Republicans who voted against Richard Mourdock in the primary.

"And we hope that some of Senator Lugar's supporters would understand that, one, it's over," said Sen. McCain, "and, second of all, this race could determine as to who is in the majority in the United States Senate.”

Graham picked it up from there.

"So, to the Lugar voter," he said, "your country needs you to vote and based on Richard Lugar's representation of Indiana for a very long time, Richard Mourdock is so much closer to Richard Lugar than the other gentleman."

McCain and Graham will be followed here by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as the Republicans team up on Democrat Joe Donnelly. But the one man who could really make a difference, Senator Richard Lugar, will not campaign for Mourdock. A spokesman for Lugar reaffirmed that today.