Bayh's decision leaves analysts buried under questions

[IndianaGreen]

Bayh's decision leaves analysts buried under questions

Posted: February 15, 2010

What began as a slow and snowy Presidents Day in Indiana suddenly became one of the biggest political days in the state in this young century.

Sen. Evan Bayh is not running for re-election, a decision that reshapes the political structure in Indiana, while immediately sending political minds spinning and raising a host of crucial questions.

-- Which Democrat will step up to take Bayh's spot on the ballot?
-- Do Democrats without Bayh have any chance of holding onto the Senate seat in this Republican-leaning state?
-- How does this impact the GOP primary, and former Sen. Dan Coats' chances?
-- What is Bayh's legacy?
-- Who becomes the face of the Indiana Democratic Party?
-- Why did Bayh wait so long -- just before the filing deadline -- to announce his decision?

The news makes you wonder whether Rep. Mike Pence and Secretary of State Todd Rokita regret their decisions not to enter the race. Pence in particular would have likely cleared the GOP field -- perhaps not officially but for all practical purposes.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100215/NEWS08/2160302/Tully-Bayh-buries-us-under-questions

[jody]

1. Who gets to use Bayh's campaign funds? n/t

[Abq_Sarah]

7. He's got a pretty healthy war chest

Wonder if he's positioning himself for 2012....

[havocmom]

2. Why did Bayh wait so long - just before filing deadline - to announce?

Cuz he's a jerk?

[saracat]

5. To screw everyone over.

[DJ13]

6. To insure either a Republican will win, or to put his own choice on the ballot

Neither scenario speaks well of him.

[Mojorabbit]

3. Is there s scandal

about to break? It is unusual...

[xchrom]

4. I have an answer:

He wanted to help the republicans.

[DonCoquixote]

8. My two cents

One: he realized that thanks to Fox news, the GOP did not really need Dino's to get their way anymore, why worry about doing inside deals when all you have to do is sick teabaggers and reporters on people.

Two: He noticed that many on the left were getting really tired of the Dinos, so, like his buddy Joe Lieberman, he gets to say "nyah nyah, you needed ME, let's see how far you little proggies get NOW!"

Three: He has a nice bit of 30 pieces of sliver lined up, especially with his wife. Now he knows that if he ran as an "independent" (see, Lieberman, Joe) he could command favors with the GOP.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. Didn't this 'Republican leaning state' go for Obama in the last election?

Why is it still called a 'republican-leaning state' in that case?

[frazzled]

10. The not-so-big secret about Evan Bayh

He's not very bright. I'm originally from Indiana, and my brother is pretty connected in Democratic politics there. Years ago he told me that the biggest frustration with Bayh is that he is, well, to put it bluntly, stupid. I don't mean politically unsavvy. Just plain not that bright. The only reason he ever got elected governor or senator was because of his father, who was a bright man.

Now we can add mendacious to stupid.

[Ganja Ninja]

11. In the long run we'll be better off without the turncoats in our party.

It would be more tolerable if both sides had them but the GOP is in rigid lock step. In this situation we come off as unable to govern and they come off as able to govern even though they govern badly. When you're faced with extremism you have to match them with extremism. If you don't you look weak.

The blue dogs need to either change or go. If they were truly loyal then they would have no problem changing. Bayh's true colors showed today. He would rather quit then stand with the party. That says it all.