Dem Brad Ellsworth To Run For Indiana Senate Seat

[LostInAnomie]

Eric Kleefeld | February 19, 2010, 12:06PM

Indiana Democrats are on the verge of having a new candidate for the Senate seat of retiring Dem Evan Bayh, with Rep. Brad Ellsworth about to jump in -- though they won't be able to officially have a nominee in legal terms for a little while.

Chris Cillizza and Politico report that sources say Ellsworth is definitely in the race. A high-level Democratic source has also confirmed the news to TPMDC. (Late Update: Ellsworth himself has confirmed it to the local NBC station in Evansville.)

The Indianapolis Star also reports that Democratic state Rep. Trent Van Haaften has filed to run for Ellsworth's House seat. However the Star reports, it turns out that state law will prevent the Dems from being able to select the Senate candidate until after the May 4 primary.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/dem-brad-ellsworth-to-run-for-indiana-senate-seat.php?ref=fpblg

He's my congressman, and I am not a fan of his record. I think he probably has a good chance of winning if he's the nominee though.

[IndianaGreen]

1. Pro-choice women and LGBTs will never support him!

He may be perfect for the likes of you, but not when he runs for statewide office.

Perhaps you can enlist Randall Terry of Operation Rescue, and James Dobson of Focus on the Family, to campaign for him.

[LostInAnomie]

2. WTF!

Maybe you missed this line in my OP: "He's my congressman, and I am not a fan of his record."

[IndianaGreen]

3. You will have to make up for the deficit in votes that his nomination will entail

Since people that care about reproductive and LGBT rights will never vote for Ellsworth, where else are you going to get those votes? Those opposed to abortion and LGBT rights will continue to vote Republican no matter how anti-choice and anti-LGBT the Democratic candidate turns out to be.

What sells in Evansville, will not sell in Marion and Lake Counties (and vice versa).

[RainDog]

4. Ellsworth's despicable record

Ellsworth was one of 11 House Democrats who in January 2009 voted against an $819 billion stimulus bill backed by President Barack Obama. He later backed a scaled down $787 billion version.

Late last year, Ellsworth helped push through a House measure opposed by abortion rights groups that would bar anyone getting federal health subsidies from buying private insurance polices that included abortion coverage.

Abortion rights advocates called the measure the biggest setback to women's reproductive rights in decades.


but he's the official democratic candidate so it's okay that he was involved in the WORST legislative moment in women's reproductive rights in decades. this is the best Indiana can do?

no wonder so many people across the nation think Indiana is a hell hole.

[RainDog]

5. be careful. now that he's the candidate, you can't say things that you would

about a republican with the exact same pov, tho both acted in opposition to the democratic platform pov by the same actions. yes, we're in loopy land, where democrats oppose women's rights and pretend it's just a little thing.

because, yes, you're right, Indiana Green. The truth is that I don't have to say one thing on DU about not supporting this candidate. The reason I said those things in the first place is because I am simply a reflection of the attitudes of EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT I KNOW and thought party pols might want to know this before they put someone like this up for office.

because, yes, the truth is that I do not know one person who, if they knew about Ellsworth's record, would vote for him, even in a "lesser of two evils" way, because anyone who works against women's rights is not the lesser of two evils. he is part of the problem.

so, while I won't talk on DU about making sure people where I live know about Ellsworth's record, the democrats will see the results of their choice on election day. good luck winning bloomington's vote for an anti-woman candidate.

[Kevin Cloyd]

6. Maybe John Mellencamp will write a song

about the Senate choose-off Indiana. Little Pink Houses full of Dumb People Like You and Me.

Or Maybe something like this;

Here's a little Ditty about Rahm and Brad,

Conservatives in Washington, It's so sad.

Screwing over the Heartland, Can't be bad.

Cause there's trillions to be had.