Major Props to Sen. Lugar

"Senator Richard G. Lugar, an Indiana Republican who played that role long before it had a brand name, is standing against his party on a number of significant issues at a politically dangerous time to do so."

Thus sayeth The New York Times in a feature headlined "Charting His Own Course Against Prevailing Winds".

"Now, in the heat of the post-primary lame-duck Congressional session, he 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.

"He even declined to sign a brief supporting state lawsuits against President Obama’s health care law because he saw it as political posturing."

Lugar is a former mayor of Indianapolis.