Richard Mourdock’s primary defeat of Dick Lugar sets the stage for another Indiana Senate battle that will have national implications.  Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Richard Mourdock wasted no time in the effort to define themselves and each other.  Dick Lugar’s Senate seat is up for grabs.

Mourdock gave the Tea Party credit for his win on Election night but now he wants to be known, not as a Tea Party candidate, but simply as a Republican.  “I’ve been swimming in the pool of Republican politics for a long time,” he said at a news conference at GOP headquarters.  “This party I love.”

There to help make the case, party leaders including the governor.  “Richard Mourdock’s gonna be a very strong candidate for all the right reasons,” said Mitch Daniels, “in addition to the fact that he is squarely in the mainstream of Indiana opinion.”

Meantime, at a local bar and grill conveniently named the Great Divide Democrat Joe Donnelly suggested that Mourdock is an extremist.  “The reason they wanted to come out and say he’s not a Tea Party guy is because he is,” said Donnelly, “and because his actions reflect that.”

In fact in a 24 Hour News 8 interview Mourdock said he remains opposed to bi-partisanship on Capitol Hill unless it means that Republicans are in control at all levels of government.  “So that bi-partisanship means you have a few Democrats come along,” he said, “instead of what’s happening now where Republicans are being pulled to their point of view.”

“You know that’s the kid who comes to the park with a ball and bat and says you either play by my rules or I’m going home,” said Donnelly.

The state GOP, meantime, called Mourdock’s appearance this morning a unity event.  Senator Richard Lugar, the man he defeated, was notably absent.  He still hasn’t called Mourdock and there was no effort made to have him attend the so-called unity event.