It'll be Evan Bayh

[jsw_81]

I think all this talk about Gephardt and Edwards and Vilsack is much ado about nothing. My crystal ball tells me that Kerry will surprise us by going with a dark horse, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. Why?

1. Bayh is a "safe" choice with a moderate record that will attract independents and conservative Democrats who would be alienated by a more liberal selection. The only people who will object to Bayh are the far-left fringe liberals (e.g. hardcore Naderites), but they weren't going to vote for Kerry anyway.

2. Bayh represents a midwestern state that borders both Ohio and Michigan. If we take those two states, it's almost impossible for Bush to get to 270. If Bayh delivers Indiana, the election is over.

3. Bayh has plenty of executive experience after having served as Indiana's governor for eight years in addition to his five years as senator.

4. Bayh is a young, charismatic, good-looking family man who comes across well on television. Imagine him debating the old, pallid, evil-looking Dick Cheney.

5. Indiana has a Democratic governor, and if Bayh is elected vice president we won't lose the Senate seat.

You heard it here first, folks. Kerry/Bayh in '04!

[Longhorn]

1. As a born Hoosier turned Texan, I can dig it! n/t

[whirlygigspin]

3. hmmmm, I said

:thumbsup:



:hi:

[Longhorn]

9. That's not a "Gig 'em, Aggies," is it?

}(

:toast:

[GBD4]

2. not exactly...

I'm a "far-left fringe liberal" who WILL be voting for Kerry! :)

[Sporadicus]

4. I Could Get Behind That

I'll even forgive his hoosierosity ;) Seriously, I think he'd make a good choice for VP. Before giving an outright endorsement, though, it's essential to determine if there are any flies on him (I don't know of any).

[NMDemDist2]

5. looks like a comer he does

He has established himself as a leading mainstream voice in the Senate by working to put aside partisan differences and make real progress on a wide range of issues of importance to Americans.

Bayh's common sense approach is a hallmark of his work in the U.S. Senate. "Evan Bayh is staking out new political turf in Washington - and carving out his identity - by confronting the way things work in the tradition-bound U.S. Senate," wrote The Indianapolis Star. Bayh's signature legislative efforts seek to raise the performance of our nation's public schools, encourage responsible fatherhood, and provide tax relief for families struggling to afford the rising costs of college, retirement, and the long-term care of a loved one. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette says Bayh's commitment to fiscally responsible tax cuts makes him "one of the few voices of reason" in Washington.

http://www.senate.gov/~bayh/about.html

[lanparty]

19. Wow ... the Indy STAR praised him ...

The Indy Star is a pretty conservative paper. So if they praised him, it's not good for liberals ;-)

One should ask what NUVO says about Bayh (the Indy alternative weekly).

[salin]

61. Bayh would be a boon for the bushites...

he has thrown away his hat of fiscal restraint and gone for the bush tax cut/big deficits binges.

he also jumped in with war support early... and recently was heard STILL claiming that WMDs are in Iraq and just have yet to be found.

[salonghorn70]

6. I Like Bayh Too

But be prepared for many on this Board who don't.

Longhorn, Loved that HOOK 'EM Horns. :hi:

[Longhorn]

8. Takes one to know one, Neighbor! :)

[MajorFlaw]

7. My money is on Gephardt, even though he is not my own first choice.

You heard it here first, folks, Kerry/ Gephardt.

[sallyseven]

10. Byah is not his father's

democratic son. I hope he is not the choice.

[Tweed]

20. HAHAHA

This is far from hearing it first!

[MajorFlaw]

28. My "you heard it here first" comment was a tongue in cheek response

to the very same phrasing by the original poster. I really have no "inside" information, Gephardt is just an intuitive guess. When Kerry makes his choice, and he's probably the only one who knows, I will either hide or loudly claim credit. By "first", I only meant that my guess preceded Kerry's announcement. Perhaps I should have been clearer.

[Nicholas_J]

37. Nothings certain

Strategically, gephardt makes the most sense, though there are aspects of Edwards personality and other abilities that do give a good deal of credibility to his nomination, After all Dan Quayle, was primarily chosen for his looks and even more for being one of the largest fundraisers the Republican party had at that time. Edwards did very well in the fundraising department. I like Edwards, and my posts that flogged Edwards and pointed out Gepharts good points were a reaction to the rather strong attacks on one of the democratic parties longest serving, loyal figters against conservative attempts to undo every democtaic advanve since Franklin Roosevelt, and he has done a rather good job fighting them.

Edwards strong points might make him a very good choice in less critical times, but they still may be important in consideration of a running mate. I do think however, given Gephardts life time service to the democratic party, his experience, and his status as a very respected Washington figure may all weigh into him being chosen because he simply deserves it for his service to the party, and the fat that recent polls show him pulling into a position where he has almost the same popularity with the public as Edwards does, alog with his experience. I think it will likely be Gephardt, though Edwards cannot be ruled out at all. There is still a good chance fir him being selected.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

11. Too conservative

John Edwards or Gep are better picks

[Freddie Stubbs]

31. Too conservative for whom?

The VP pick will not be made for the purpose of shoring up the base, but rather to entice undecided swing voters. Those in the middle of the political spcetrum won't see Bayh as being too conservative.

[Cheswick2.0]

34. too conservative for me..... a life long loyal democrat

He is pro-life is he not? Or is that a rumor? If true and Kerry chooses him I will be writing in Al Gore.

[Freddie Stubbs]

36. He's pro-life: supports Roe v Wade

[MajorFlaw]

45. Huh? Pro life opposes Roe v. Wade.

[Freddie Stubbs]

48. D'oh! I meant pro-choice

[TexasSissy]

47. I don't think so. He voted against the partial-birth abortion bill.

But besides that, I think he's pro-choice.

[Ediacara]

12. Bayh is good on paper

But about as exciting as cold oatmeal....

[no name no slogan]

74. Evan Bayh: the Joe Liebermann of 2004 (n/t)

[LiberalFighter]

78. Hmmm how about a hot dog without the filler?

[DieboldMustDie]

13. Who would replace him in the Senate?

I don't think we can afford to lose any seats there. :shrug:

[lanparty]

18. Democratic Governor Joe Kernan

Indiana has a democratic governor and he would appoint someone to fill out Bayh's term. Who???? I dunno. Probably some state Senator or a Congressional contender who didn't make it.

[salin]

62. I am not sure if this is the case

since Bayh wouldn't technically be out of office until January - not sure if Kernan would have the right to name a successor if he, himself, is not elected in November.

Kernan is in a very tough fight with Mitch Daniels.

[LiberalFighter]

80. Wouldn't be for the full 6 years

Whoever is appointed would have to run for election in 2006 to fill the remaining 4 years.

Same thing that happened in 1988 when Quayle became VP. Coats was appointed and he had to run for election for the balance 2 years later.

[bushwakker]

14. military service?

did bayh wear the uniform? i don't think it's a pre-requisite just wondering?

[salonghorn70]

17. I Don't Think So

His official biography doesn't mention it.

http://bayh.senate.gov/about.html

[LiberalFighter]

79. He never served

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. "The only people who will object to Bayh..."

"...are the far-left fringe liberals (e.g. hardcore Naderites), but they weren't going to vote for Kerry anyway."

Nice generalizing.

I am Democrat who will object if Bayh is picked for the VP -- I am not a "far-left fringe liberal" and I have never -- will never -- vote for Nader.

I am a Democrat with a liberal leaning who views Dems like Bayh as one more stake in the heart of the party and the values it once stood for. When I can't tell a Dem from a Pub on half the issues, that is no Dem I want to be voting for.

[TexasSissy]

53. Why? What did Bayh vote for/against that was against Dems?

Not being sarcastic. I really don't know much about Bayh (except that he's attractive). I will say that I saw him participate in some of the recent Congressional hearings on either the military budget or Abu Ghraib. He was not a wishy washy pansy. He was decidedly strong in his questioning.

[salin]

63. Supported Bush tax cuts. Worked against the Corporate reforms

(post enron). Supported the war - including subverting bipartisan efforts in the senate to add amendments to the IWResolution by attending a "bipartisan" rose garden speech attended by Lieberman, Gephardt and Bayh (note at the time all had presidential aspirations.)

He recently has said on television that he still believes that Iraq has WMDs, but that we haven't found them yet.

As a hoosier, who has voted for Bayh in the past, and recognized that he was a fiscally responsible moderate, but one who did honor unions and workers... to a degree. I (and other hoosiers) have watched him shift past center to the right since bush's election in 2000. He is NOT the same person who has governor for eight years in Indiana. He somewhat resembles but isn't quite the same as the guy who first ran for Senate in 1998. He gives Hoosiers the queasy feeling of a Zell Miller protoge.. and he seems to be moving in that direction.

[lanparty]

16. Won't help in the South!!!!!

And I don't think that he'll help in Ohio either.

Bayh is from my state, but I'm kinda luke warm about him. I don't think he holds up his father's ideals.

The candidate that will help Kerry the most is Bob Graham of Florida.

[PVnRT]

21. Bad idea

Bayh flip-flops too; all the GOP needs is another candidate they can hang that albatross around our necks.

[WI_DEM]

22. I hope not

I'd take Geppy before Bayh.

[IndianaGreen]

23. Ignorance is bliss!

The only people who will object to Bayh are the far-left fringe liberals (e.g. hardcore Naderites)

Nader is not a liberal, is a corporatist that believes that capitalism can be reformed.

Bayh is not popular among the Democratic rank-and-file in Indiana. If you think Kerry is "aloof" as the media says, Bayh's aloofness makes Kerry look like an extrovert by comparison. Bayh has his nose so far up in the air that if it were to rain, he would drown.

Thank G_d that Bayh is not being considered for VP.

Bayh is anti-choice!

[Classical_Liberal]

24. They've betrayed, the poor and minorities, and the anti-Iraq war people

why not betray the pro-choicers too?: It would actually be my dream since 90% of the dems would give up on them, and we could work on a new and uncorrupted party. I think they are about as dead as the whigs in 1859 anyway. We could then start over. I'll cross my fingers that they pick Bayh, and just commit suicide already.

[JI7]

26. Kerry is going to be in Indiana on Tuesday

are you going to go try to see him ?

[IndianaGreen]

39. Kerry's Indiana visit is NOT OPEN to the general public!

Here's the latest from the Indy Star....

AME can't open the Kerry talk to public

By John J. Shaughnessy
July 2, 2004

The public won't be able to attend Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's appearance in Indianapolis on Tuesday during the worldwide conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Church officials made that determination Thursday after a morning walk-through of the Indiana Convention Center with Kerry campaign members and Secret Service personnel.

"We're not trying to keep the public out," said Mike McKinney, communications director for the AME Church conference. "We just don't have the room to accommodate them. It's already going to be a nightmare."

With an estimated 30,000 church members attending the conference, there isn't enough space in the main exhibit hall for the public, too, McKinney explained.

http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/159410-5301-010.html

[JI7]

41. call his campaign and ask them to attend a campaign rally before or after

i didn't know it was a church event he was going to. i can understand why that would not be open to the public.

so why not ask him to attend a rally before or after this ame thing ?

[jsw_81]

42. "Bayh is not popular among the Democratic rank-and-file in Indiana."

How do you explain the fact that Bayh ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate? And how do you explain how he won landslide victories in his races for governor? Must be because he's so darn unpopular. :eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

43. How many people bothered to vote in the primary?

The lowest turnout ever!

The only reason I bothered to vote was to cast my vote for Kucinich. I skipped Bayh altogether!

If you want to nominate as VEEP a man that signed into law a bill requiring women to see pictures of aborted fetuses, you go ahead!

Bayh signed the 1995 Indiana abortion counseling law that the Right-to-Life people got through the legislature. Bayh refused to veto the bill even though the Democrats had the votes to uphold his veto in the General Assembly, and had openly encouraged him to do so.

The abortion counseling law included a provision in which women seeking abortions had to be shown pictures of aborted fetuses, and then had to wait to get an abortion.

To refresh your memory, the Supreme Court just upheld that Indiana law back in April 2003.

Indiana's abortion law

In 1995, Indiana legislators approved a law that was signed by then-Gov. Evan Bayh to require "informed consent" of women seeking abortions in the state.

Except in cases of medical emergencies, the law says:

• At least 18 hours before an abortion, a woman is to receive in-person counseling by the physician who is to perform the abortion, her referring physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice nurse or a midwife.

• One of those health professionals must tell the woman the name of the doctor to perform the abortion, explain the nature of the procedure and discuss the risks and alternatives to abortion.

• The woman must be told the probable gestational age of the fetus and be offered a picture or drawing of a fetus, information about the size of the fetus and information about the potential survival at that stage of development.

• The health care provider must discuss the medical risks connected with carrying the fetus to term.

• That adoption alternatives are available and that adoptive parents may legally pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care.

As Senator, Bayh voted for the partial-birth abortion bill that was drafted by homophobic Senator Rick Santorum.

Alphabetical by Senator Name

Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Allen (R-VA), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Nay
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Not

Source:

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00051

Evan Bayh's critical role in the Indiana abortion counseling law and his endorsement of Santorum's anti-choice legislation have adversely impacted women's reproductive rights in Indiana and in the US!

And like Santorum, Bayh has endorsed the extreme Right to Life agenda of forcing women seeking abortions to be counseled by pro-life counselors, and to be shown pictures of aborted fetuses.

There is no excuse for Bayh to impose such restrictions on Hoosier women, and there is no excuse for him for voting for the so-called "partial birth" abortion bill.

This is what Howard Dean said about that heinous bill that Bayh and Santorum voted for:

I believe the notion of "partial birth abortion" is nonsense. It is a rare procedure used only to save the life or preserve the health of the mother. We have had no third trimester abortions in Vermont in the past four years. The debate over "partial birth abortion" is simply a cynical example of political grandstanding.


I will say that it is Evan Bayh that is the extremist in his support of the Republican anti-choice agenda!

Evan Bayh is not friend of Hoosier women.

[PVnRT]

44. You know

I just love it when non-Hoosiers dictate to us what we think.

Bayh ran unopposed because he was an incumbant, and the state party apparatus was behind him in the primary. His name is famous in Indiana (Birch Bayh), as well as being a two-term governor.

He was popular as governor because he balanced the budget and for the first time in years had the state running a surplus.

Next time, before you spout bullshit about things you nothing about, try doing a little research first.

[TexasSissy]

58. It doesn't sound like the post you responded to is inconsistent with what

you say.

You're saying he was re-elected because he did a good job, basically, right? That's why no Repub or Independent ran against him. The poster was saying that he didn't get re-elected because he was unpopular. Doesn't sound inconsistent to me.

[salin]

65. In Indiana

in the democratic party, almost noone ever runs against a sitting dem office holder. There is a strong sense of "wait your turn and pay your dues." Can see it up and down the line from county and city councils through congressional seats through governor and senator offices.

He is NOT popular among democrats in Indiana - but recognized as better than our more rabid republicans. He was not always so tepidly received in Indiana. However he has moved steadily to the right since bushjr was elected. He leaves many hoosiers with a queasy feeling that he is Zell's protoge.

[Classical_Liberal]

25. I hope they do. Bayh is pro-life, and there won't be even one

reason for liberals and moderates to vote for Kerry if this happens. It would destroy the dems and we could start over with a clean and uncorrupted party.

[LandOLincoln]

50. "A clean and uncorrupted party" yadda yadda yadda.

How old are you and what planet to you live on, anyway??

[TexasSissy]

54. I don't think Bayh is pro-life. He's pro-choice, I think.

He voted against partial-birth abortion, but that's not quite the same thing. It's a controversial procedure. I myself am staunchly pro choice, but I don't know how I stand on the partial birth abortion procedure.

[jonnyblitz]

27. hopefully not

A right winger is a right winger whether they have an R or a D next to their name.

[Spiffarino]

29. Geez, I hope it's not Bayh

John Edwards, even without Bayh's experience or political pedigree, is a better choice. He's somewhat of a Southern conservative Dem, but with liberal bona fides that appeal to a broad spectrum. He has the charisma and the political savvy to bring along moderate voters. As a comforting, confident presence on the ticket, he also could help with the 9/11-shocked soccer moms who are usually Democratic voters but are leaning Bush's way.

Having a Southerner on the ticket will help tremendously, and in more ways than the conventional wisdom indicates. Sure, North Carolina could swing to Kerry if Edwards is on the ticket, and that's great. What's better, however, is that the Bushies will have to stop taking the South for granted and start pouring time and money into holding states they thought were in the bag. NC, VA, TN, and (though a huge longshot) SC could be in play for Kerry if he chooses Edwards.

I think the Bushies would be staining their collective drawers if they thought they could lose even two Southern states. What joy. What ecstasy. What's that smell?

[Doosh]

30. don't have a problem with that

Kerry/Bayh, we can do alot worse.

[goobergunch]

32. One reason I oppose Bayh for VP

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00179

[Padraig18]

33. goobergunch! Where have you BEEN?

:hi:

[NewJerseyDem]

82. Yeah, that was weird

He didn't vote for the tax cuts the other 3 times they came up, but he did that one time for no apparent reason. There was an article in The Hill about how that baffle a lot of democrats. And it still baffles me. It seems totally idiotic for an ambitious democrat who may run for president in 2008 or 2012.

[TruthIsAll]

35. He would be the WORST choice. A total Bush apologist and he's DLC

He is boring. I don't care if he's cute.

Indiana will NEVER go Dem.

And Ohio and Michigan are going for Kerry anayway.

It will be either Edwards or Clark.

[cosmokramer]

38. HAHAHAHA....

Why on earth would he choose a senator who is embarrassingly to the right of the spectrum of our party?

The argument that he is 'close' to Ohio is just silly, sorry. Only we Ohio die hard politico's know where he is from. Furthermore, what about significant foreign policy experience??? (don't know his Senate committees)?

I just don't see Kerry choosing another Senator period...especially when he could have Graham the former Governor now Senator instead of Bayh. At least we might win Florida. Indiana is firmly red now, and a gamble.

[jsw_81]

40. Why would he chose a retired general who voted for Reagan and Bush?

[Dinger]

51. And Gore

Clark voted for Al Gore in 2000.

[cidliz2004]

52. It's simple---one word---INDEPENDENT voters

Swing states, Military Families, strong FP platform....do you need more reasons??????

[cosmokramer]

64. Someone who voted for his last Republican in 1988 (16 years ago)...

...or someone who often votes with BUSH NOW?

Sorry, but I would rather have a retired General who did not support the war and advocates choice for women than a man who now votes with Bush and stands beside him in supporting the Patriot Act.

[TexasSissy]

46. I tend to agree.

[DemDogs]

49. No way it's Bayh.

He hasn't been vetted by the Kerry campaign according to his own people.

[TexasSissy]

55. Mmmmm. I thought I read that he had been.

[Gloria]

56. Bayh is prominent in the DLC....

Having seen him talking like Bush-lite on TV, I could never support him for VP.

If he were chosen, it would mean Kerry is taking the party too far toward the DLC....long term, this might not be the best move. I see years of "2002 Midterm election campaigns" in the future.......UGH!!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

57. Two Small Points...

Birch Bayh is pro choice.... His only anti choice vote is his vote against partial birth abortion...

I am pro choice but still wrestle with the morality of partial birth abortions. No less a liberal luminary than the late Pat Moynihan called it infanticide...



He doesn't live up to his father's ideals... Birch Bayh lost his Senate seat to Dan Quayle for his ideals...


If you can't win... You can't govern...


Evan Bayh is a decent choice; not as good as Edwards or Clark but infinitely better than Dick Gephardt or Ed Vilsak....


If Kerry takes a non entity like Vilsak I'll just tune out the election now cuz I know Chimpy will be reelected....

[salonghorn70]

66. Bayh IS Pro-Choice

You are correct on his stance. He has gotten a bad rap on this from many posters who don't know his record.

[IndianaGreen]

67. If you voted for "partial-birth" ban, you are NOT pro-choice!

Kerry voted against the ban, Bayh voted for it!

Kerry is pro-choice, Bayh is anti-choice!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

68. Pat Moynihan Called It Infanticide....

Can you be a liberal and be against partial birth abortion...


I'm pro choice but I can make the argument the Pope's position is the correct one. Human life is precious and therfore it is incumbent on one who respects the sanctity of life to oppose abortion and the death penalty...

[salin]

69. perhaps your first statement is correct

but it has little to do with Bayh. (as in one can be liberal... and be against...)

Liberal isn't a word ever uttered with Bayh. Sadly, since bushjr's elections, centrist is getting hard to mutter with his name. Here in Indiana... the word starting to get muttered... "Zell". Recognition that the bayh of today is not the bayh who governed the state, nor even the bayh elected to the senate in 1998.

[IndianaGreen]

70. The Pope is wrong because he wants the State to impose his views!

Certainly in the Jewish tradition there is no mention of abortion, as a matter of fact, funeral services were not performed at all for those that died at birth or within a month from birth.

The Catholic Church herself, did not believe that life began at conception until relatively recently in history.

Religion is a private matter!

Socialism and Religion

V. I. Lenin (1905)

Religion must be declared a private affair. In these words socialists usually express their attitude towards religion. But the meaning of these words should be accurately defined to prevent any misunderstanding. We demand that religion be held a private affair so far as the state is concerned. But by no means can we consider religion a private affair so far as our Party is concerned. Religion must be of no concern to the state, and religious societies must have no connection with governmental authority. Everyone must be absolutely free to profess any religion he pleases, or no religion whatever, i.e., to be an atheist, which every socialist is, as a rule. Discrimination among citizens on account of their religious convictions is wholly intolerable. Even the bare mention of a citizen’s religion in official documents should unquestionably be eliminated. No subsidies should be granted to the established church nor state allowances made to ecclesiastical and religious societies. These should become absolutely free associations of like-minded citizens, associations independent of the state. Only the complete fulfilment of these demands can put an end to the shameful and accursed past when the church lived in feudal dependence on the state, and Russian citizens lived in feudal dependence on the established church, when medieval, inquisitorial laws (to this day remaining in our criminal codes and on our statute-books) were in existence and were applied, persecuting men for their belief or disbelief, violating men’s consciences, and linking cosy government jobs and government-derived incomes with the dispensation of this or that dope by the established church. Complete separation of Church and State is what the socialist proletariat demands of the modern state and the modern church.

http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1905/dec/03.htm

[jerryster]

59. I think it'll be Edwards or Gephardt

Each one helps in his own state and both those states are important. However, I think that Gephardt brings more weight to the ticket. There is one other thing I've been wondering about. That is who may be this year's "Lieberman surprise". When Gore chose him - and I continue to support that choice - Tim Russert called it bold and historic. It guaranteed Gore the covers of Time and Newsweek. Lieberman's ethnicity only helped Gore in Florida. So, Duers, let's think outside the box for a little while. Who are the possibilities among Women, African-Americans and Hispanics who may get the nod? I admit that none come to mind for me immediately. Hillary is not going to be the VP. Pelosi comes from California, as do Feinstein and Boxer. No help there. The danger of picking an Hispanic running mate is that it could anger African Americans who may see it as leapfrogging. So throw out some names. Who would make news AND make sense?

[salin]

60. That would be like running with Zell Miller

here is where you are wrong.

1. While Bayh will appeal to the most conservative of democrats, as he has moved further to the right since 2000, he will not have a terribly strong pull with more moderate democrats, and will have a repelling effect on those to the left of... say... Bob Graham (who is a centrist, btw.) I state this as a hoosier who is progressive but very mainstream democrat. Know many democrats in two major hoosier city. None is a fan of Bayh. May not "lose" votes - but will lose workers for the election... and may drive interest down that pushes voter turnout down which diminishes our chances in November. Note - none of the democrats in Indiana to which I refer are extreme left, and all are very unhappy with Nader.

2. I have lived in both Indiana and Michigan. Indiana has NO effect on Michigan. Michigan, Ohio and Illinois are rust belt states and share much more incommon. Indiana is more rural/agricultural with pockets of rust belt up in the Gary area and scattered in the state. The Union's have little impact on the vote in Indiana. Likewise these other states have little impact upon how Indiana votes. Dan Quayle on the ticket (also a "popular" hoosier senator) did not have an impact on voters in the surrounding states. Neither will Bayh. This supposition is simply unfounded.

3. true. And this is the one plus. I would suggest, however, that a stronger candidate in this regard is Sen Graham from Florida who served two (or three?) terms as governor, and multiple terms as Senator.

4. Bayh is good looking, true. But has the charisma of... well... Dan Quayle, but without the gaffes that at least made Quayle entertaining. Bayh is a snoozer of a speaker. Comes off as slightly smarmy in the sense of sounding insincere but trying to work in what the audience wants to hear... leaving the sense that he really doesn't mean it at all.

5. Governor Kernan is in a tight race. Very possible that he will lose. Not sure that he would have the right to name a replacement if he is not re-elected (since technically Bayh would finish out his term as senate, and thus the vacancy wouldn't occur until January), or if the right to name a successor falls to the new governor... which very well could be "My Man Mitch" Daniels.

[NewJerseyDem]

81. Bayh could resign right away to let Kernan appoint his successor

So, thy seat would stay in democratic hands.

[Myrina]

71. Two Words : DAN QUAYLE

Pretty boy, empty headed, stuffed shirt making a living off the family name.

[no name no slogan]

76. I was thinking the two words were "Joe Liebermann"

A wishy-washy, uninspiring, DLC Repub-Lite who votes with the Repubs as often as the Dems and supposedly appeals to the 5% of the eligible electorate known as "swing voters".

Bayh WILL NOT play well in the midwest. He's a pro-corporate DLCer who offers next to nothing to the Democratic base-- many of whom are still not completely behind Kerry yet.

Why does it seem like we're back in 2000 again?

[Paradise]

72. Makes sense! Sounds good! :) n/t

[Nicholas_J]

73. In Indianapolis today

Bayh said that he is certain it will be either Edwards or Gephardt.

[Zynx]

75. Meh.

That's all I say to that.

[jsw_81]

77. Kerry flying to *Indiana* tomorrow morning

And according to Drudge, the woman that Kerry has assigned to be the veep's political director used to work for... Senator Bayh. And Michael Kornblau, who's also on Kerry's veep team, worked for Bayh as well. Coincidence? We shall see.

ON EDIT: Bayh's photo -- and only Bayh's photo -- is up on the Drudge Report!

[shawmut]

83. Not anymore, Drudge just took it down