Ellsworth not definite on seeking Bayh's seat

[IndianaGreen]

Brad Ellsworth is perfect for his conservative-leaning district, but he would be unacceptable for statewide office on two counts: Ellsworth is opposed to reproductive rights (wants to ban abortion), and he is against LGBT rights (supports DOMA and DADT, opposes marriage equality). These are core issues, not some minor lithmust test!

Ellsworth not definite on seeking Bayh's seat

By Mary Beth Schneider
Posted: February 18, 2010

Breaking news: 3:15 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth says he has not made a decision on running for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh, and will not do so until at least tomorrow.

“I am continuing to talk with my family and Hoosiers throughout Indiana about where I can best serve our state,” Ellsworth said in a statement. “Put simply, this is a decision I don’t take lightly. I want to make sure whatever decision I make is the right one for my family, my constituents, and the state of Indiana. Tomorrow, I will wrap up my annual Open Door Listening Tour, which took me through all 18-counties of the 8th District. At that point, I will have more time to devote to giving this great responsibility the serious consideration it deserves.”

Bayh shocked Democrats by announcing Monday that he would not run for a third term, setting off a scramble to find a replacement.

Earlier Today

An announcement is imminent that U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh, sources tell The Indianapolis Star.

State Rep. Trent Van Haaften, a former Posey County prosecutor, is expected to then seek the 8th District congressional seat held by Ellsworth.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100218/NEWS05/100218025/Ellsworth-No-decision-yet-on-Bayh-seat

[LostInAnomie]

1. I figured Ellsworth would get the nomination.

He's an attractive guy, a good fund-raiser, and he is very popular in Evansville and most of the 8th district. Too bad he's not a liberal by any stretch of the imagination.

[IndianaGreen]

2. and we shouldn't vote for those that oppose our rights, regardless of their party

[LostInAnomie]

3. I'll vote for him.

It's better to vote for Ellsworth who is with you 80% of the time, than Coats or Hostettler that would be against you 100% of the time.

[IndianaGreen]

8. He voted against women (Stupak Amendment) and LGBTs (supports DOMA and DADT)

and opposes marriage equality.

Let me guess, you are not a woman, and you are not LGBT.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Does he have enough name recognition?

Or does he have enough time for the voters to remember him when it comes time to vote.

The 8th district is only 1 of 9 districts. Part of his district is near enough to Indy to gain some recognition in neighboring districts. But I don't think there is enough overlapping that will give him much.

IMO Joe Hogsett would be a better candidate. At least he would also be a better Democrat than Bayh was or Ellsworth. IMO Ellsworth might be worse than Bayh.

[LostInAnomie]

5. I think it's a moot point now.

I think I heard that he's turned it down. As far as name recognition, I doubt he has much, but what he would have is Evansville by a HUGE margin and he'd take Terre Haute by a pretty good spread as well. Throw in Indy, and the other normal Democratic strongholds and you'd probably have a win. You never know though with this election environment. Throw in the fact that it's a mid-term election and we're probably fucked regardless of who we put in.

[RainDog]

6. he was behind the Stupak amendment! he's no liberal. he will NOT GET MY VOTE

I will NEVER vote for this man.

if you are part of the democratic party apparatus in Indiana, you need to tell them that they will have lost Bloomington if he is the choice.

when women find out about Ellsworth, they will not vote for him.

he's a pig who contacted churches to get them to force their religious beliefs on poor women in this nation in the HCR bill.

repeat: he is a pig and he will never get my vote.

[IndianaGreen]

7. No self-respecting American would support the Stupak Amendment

I cannot support Ellsworth! Hopefully the state central committee would do the democratic principled thing and allow the state convention to select Bayh's replacement, rather than a group of party apparatchiks.