It’s easy to see the origins of that understanding

"I'm confident that there will be a lot of outside money coming in to help us,"  Mourdocksaid.

It's easy to see the origins of that understanding. When Mourdock kicked off his Senate campaign in February 2011, Bopp was conspicuous in his presence. Essentially, Mourdock has become Exhibit A in Bopp's campaign finance lab, the political Frankenstein that has been amply funded by Club For Growth, the National Rifle Association, Americans For Prosperity, FreedomWorks and Crossroads GPS.

When the dust settles, the vast majority of advertising on behalf of Mourdock's candidacy won't be from his campaign committee, but from the Super PACs.

San Diego moved ahead 10-7 on Nick Novak's 20-yard field goal

Philip Rivers staked San Diego to a 7-0 lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Meachem, marking the former Saints receiver's first touchdown since signing with the Chargersas a free agent last winter.

Meachem snatched the ball from Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins in tight coverage, capping a drive that included completions of 39 and 32 yards from Rivers to Malcom Floyd.

San Diego moved ahead 10-7 on Nick Novak's 20-yard field goal, a disappointment for the Chargers after Saints cornerback Jabari Greer was called for pass interference against Floyd, resulting in a 25-yard penalty that gave San Diego a first down at the New Orleans 6-yard line. Novak, filling in for injured kicker Nate Kaeding, later missed a 55-yard attempt.

Rivers was 14 of 22 for 202 yards and two TDs in the opening half. Meachem had three catches for 67 yards, looking the best he has all season on the field where he spent his first five seasons as a pro. Brees was 16 of 24 for 182 yards, hitting Colston four times for 75 yards.