Mourdock praises grassroots effort in visit to Putnam

Monday, October 1, 2012
Following his remarks to the Putnam County Republican hog roast and pie auction crowd, U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock (right) speaks with Jerry Campbell. Besides being the evening's main speaker, Mourdock took time to chat with a number of voters. (Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN)

Making his fourth campaign stop of the day in Greencastle Saturday evening, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock had met many of the voters he hopes will send him to Washington in November's election.

He had those individual voters on his mind when he addressed the Putnam County Republican annual hog roast and pie auction at the Fairgrounds Community Building.

"We've got a tremendous grassroots organization," Mourdock said. "Just look at all the red (Mourdock for Senate) shirts in here."

The night's top prize in the annual Republican pie auction went to State Rep. Jim Baird (left) and wife Danise, who paid $500 for this Diane Thomas apple pie. Auctioneer Denny Lee delivered the top-dollar pie following a bidding war between Baird and County Council President Darrell Thomas. (Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN)

The current Indiana state treasurer said his success in the election is directly tied to their involvement, not just in voting but also in talking to friends, family, neighbors and colleagues.

He also spoke of "how powerful a yard sign can be."

Mourdock and a number of state and local candidates rallied the party faithful to make sure their conservative voices are heard on Election Day.

"Voter turnout's what this is about," Mourdock told the Banner Graphic. "I think we're going to see a big conservative wave. In my race, it's about trying to offset what happens in places like Lake County."

Acknowledging Democrat opponent Joe Donnelly has a distinct advantage in an urban area like Northwest Indiana, Mourdock spoke of the value he finds in support in places like Putnam County.

"It's an amazing thing for a guy from Darmstadt, Ind., to come to Putnam County and see his signs up," Mourdock said.

"This is by far the most humbling thing I've ever done," he said of the current campaign.

Besides being the night's featured speaker, Mourdock spent time talking one-on-one with voters, shaking hands and listening to their concerns.

But as exciting as meeting a U.S. Senate candidate may have been, the night's most compelling moment came from the pie auction, in which District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird and County Council President Darrel Thomas got into a bidding war for a prized apple pie.

In the end, Baird got the better of Thomas, taking home the pie for $500.

Mourdock even took part in the auction, writing down his salsa recipe to be auctioned along with the desserts. All in a day's work on the campaign trail.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Richard Mourdock (right) chats with Alice and Gene Beck at Saturday night's Putnam County Republican annual hog roast and pie auction. (Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN)

"Forty-eight days to go, but we'll rest when it's over," Mourdock said.

Comments
View 4 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • WE have a chance for real change here, don't vote for another lying republican! Please!

    -- Posted by BTruth1958 on Mon, Oct 1, 2012, at 2:16 AM
  • Are you suggesting Democrats don't lie? Whom ever wins in this election, it is our duty to make them represent us, not lobbyist and special interest groups.

    -- Posted by WONDER on Mon, Oct 1, 2012, at 2:46 AM
  • Another Tea Party hold the country hostage in gridlock far right candidate and do nothing to help move the country forward.

    He sued the Obama Administration for the auto bailout which was a success saving ove a million jobs in the midwest and accross the country. President Bush started the process for the bailout and it has just about recouped the money spent.

    He has run for the 8th District before and lost in 88,90,92 & 98.

    We need someone to compromise and work for everyone not just Republicans and the following comments made on Fox do not complell me to feel like this man is going to accomplish anything good for We the People.

    The day after Mourdock won the republican primary, Mourdock drew scrutiny on the issue of bipartisanship stating in an interview on FOX & Friends that; "I certainly think bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view. If we win the House, Senate, and White House, bipartisanship means they have to come our way, and if we're successful in getting the numbers, we'll work towards that." [43] When asked about Richard Mourdock's partisanship and on Mourdouck saying that "bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view" during an interview at the 2012 Fiscal Summit, 2012 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan disagreed with Mourdock, saying that, "I obviously don't agree with that." [44] [45]

    He supports Paul Ryans plan to dismatle Social Security.

    How many seniors or soon to be seniors want to see that?

    -- Posted by yeswecan on Mon, Oct 1, 2012, at 9:36 AM
  • I am a Putnam County senior citizen who wants Richard Mourdock as my next senator representing the State of Indiana. Vote MOURDOCK this November!!

    -- Posted by Lookout on Mon, Oct 1, 2012, at 12:06 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: