So who's the unnamed Evan Bayh 'friend'

[malaise]

who said Bayh blamed the left bloggers. Joe Scum, Murdoch et al are spinning this are Obama's fault. Joe Scum says it's a victory for extremists. Spin you shithound spin!!! I think I'll just puke. :puke:

[Captain Hilts]

1. The whole thing is weird. Evidently, he was making campaign video just last week. Stay tuned. nt

[marshall]

2. He's positioning himself to pull a 1980 Ted Kennedy

I'm not sure who he thinks he can attract, but I do think Kennedy's playbook from back then deserves a second look by the Obama team.

[Rebubula]

4. I hope not

The last thing that we need is for President Obama to have to spend time and focus on getting the Democratic nod.

I do not have the same dislike for Evan Bayh as many here (tenuous personal connection to his family - have met him many times), but if he did attempt to pull a 1980 Teddy move, I would join the HateBayh Camp pretty quickly.

[karynnj]

5. Not concerned - and leaving the Senate seat actually hurts that effort

Imagine you are a centrist Democrat who likes Bayh's positions, if Bayh not running costs us a seat and potentially the majority, you would likely hold that against him. Not to mention, one thing a President needs to do is work with Congress. Here, he is saying that, even as a Senator, he can't work with Congress.

Add that:
- Carter was to the right edge of the Democratic party, giving the maximum room for a challenge from the right. Obama is near the center of the Democratic party, giving less room on either side.

- Obama is more personally popular than Carter.

- Bayh, with one of the biggest war chests, tested the water in 2008 and did not run because the water was icy. I saw a "Road to the White House" (CSPAN) that covered Bayh speaking to an Indiana college graduation - the word bland was created to describe him. Kennedy, on the other hand, had enormous charisma and the Kennedy name still meant a lot then.

Note every one of these differences are in Kennedy's favor - and he lost. If there were to be a challenge from the right, Hillary Clinton (who I really think will not run) at least is better on the last point.

[saltpoint]

3. If the "friend" goes unnamed, we "left wing bloggers" are at liberty to

guess who the "friend" is.

I'll start. I think it's Julio Iglesias.

Admittedly, a long shot. But we might as well get the rank speculation rolling.

[rusty fender]

6. LOLOLOLOLOL--Julio Iglesias!

I'm speculating that it might be Severis Snape, or maybe even Mrs. Norris.

[saltpoint]

8. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[Skidmore]

7. I'd bet the unnamed friends is none other than....

ta da--Evan Bayh himself.

Chuck Todd was speculating later that Bayh wants to run for governor of Indiana.