Posted on 02/16/2010 9:59:09 AM PST by Ol' Sparky
People will build up the story for the next couple of days—a theme already being echoed throughout the communication channels that make up political chatter.
2009 was a bad year for centrists in a highly politicized Washington.
Moderate Democrats were the ones to face the wrath of a nation growing weary of minimal results and continued in-fighting on Capitol Hill.
Therefore, Bayh’s retirement should come as no surprise, the thinking goes. It was due, especially now that information is coming forward that his staff had heard speculation of his pending retirement for several months.
However, there is more to this than meets the eye.
A man that again professes to be an “…executive at heart…” has to be considered more “retired” than as one fully settled in removing himself from the politics of the day, particularly one that has been mentioned as a vice presidential nominee for the past three presidential election cycles. A man that comes from legacy—both his family (his father was a U.S. senator that ran for the presidency) and his own (a two-term stint as governor of Indiana as well as his current two-term incumbency as the junior senator in Washington)—will not likely fade into political oblivion at a time when people are searching for steady political leaders at every turn. At only 54 years of age, Bayh brings to the conversation a considerable amount of credibility, experience, and centrism that would him well as a leader hailing from Middle America.
That is, Indiana—a red state that supported a Democrat for the Senate for 12 years.
Indiana—in many ways, a symbol for the grassroots Americans that are suffering in the unemployment lines (Elkhart County, Ind., a town visited by President Obama last year, posted an unemployment rate that approached 20 percent) and protesting using old-school methods (i.e., one of the basic appeals of the Tea Party movement.)
Indiana—a state that borders two high-impact swing states for presidential elections: Michigan and Ohio, states that would be crucial (especially Ohio) in determining the next presidential election.
Particularly for a centrist-leaning Republican that is young and experienced—the perfect blend of executive experience and congressional angst that could defeat a weakened President Obama should this national trend of economic and legislative lethargy continue for another two years.
So, don’t be surprised if Even Bayh considers becoming a Republican at some point in 2010, just in time to run for the presidency.
In a Republican presidential field that has yet to find a clear-cut choice within its ranks, a Bayh defection would immediately give the GOP a viable and popular candidate that could garner voters on both sides of the aisle while allowing the Republicans to claim a victory in the battle to claim political moral authority. In a stunning 12-month reversal of fortune, the Republicans could claim the upper hand in an Arlen Specter-for-Evan Bayh political swap, especially considering that the Democrats claimed a supermajority with the help of Specter but could do nothing with it, yet a Bayh defection could swing the outcome of the 2012 presidency along with key congressional races along with it. Further, with Bayh, the Republicans could find solace in a former Democrat that has a record of standing against President Obama’s liberal record (a stance that goes back to his endorsement of Hillary Clinton’s presidential candidacy in 2007) and the current administration’s stance on taxes, health care mandates, and big government advancement—much like the Republicans rallied around another former Democrat to reclaim the White House at a pressing time in America:
Ronald Reagan.
For those that believe that this possibility is far-fetched forget the political reality of the past 24 months:
• Sen. Arlen Specter became a Democrat after being an elected Republican officeholder for 44 years;
• Republican Scott Brown overcame a 30-point deficit in blue-state Massachusetts to win the seat held by the “Liberal Lion of the Senate,” the late Edward M. Kennedy;
• A former comedian from Saturday Night Live became the junior senator from the state of Minnesota;
• A movement full of grassroots activists took an old concept and created a new national wave of political involvement that has lasted more than one year;
• The 2008 vice presidential candidate (and oft-mentioned 2012 Republican presidential hopeful) was a two-year governor from a far-away state who has now gained superstar status; and, of course
• A little-known one-term U.S. senator with a funny name, an interesting past, and a catchy slogan became the first African-American president in our nation’s history—with a little help in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
The way politics has been done for years has been thrown out the window in today’s political climate, so at this point, any political play is game for 2012, especially for a career politician whose only goal to chase is the presidency. With no love lost between President Obama and himself (highlighted by the “Why should the Democratic Party be trusted?” question from Bayh to the president last week), a ripe field on the Republican side of the aisle, and political capital in store (both in terms of money and credibility as a fiscally-minded moderate), a political maneuver consistent with the times may soon come out of the Bayh camp with another surprise announcement: a switch to the Republican Party that could enable his presidential dreams to come true.
After all, it would allow Bayh to make a conservative play that allows him to go deep—perhaps all the way to the White House in a short period of time. Therefore, any hand-off from Democratic affiliation to the GOP would hardly be the razzle-dazzle move that it may seem to be at first glance, especially considering the state of American politics since 2008.
Bayh said he wants to work in the private sector. I found his claim credible ... he really does sound disgusted with Washington.
McCain II.......................
I agree. He was on Morning Joe today, and said - without equivocation - that he's not going to be running for President. He's probably going to go make a boatload of money as a lobbyist.
Most politicians at the Federal level are soul-less whores. Disgust for them comes for losing an election, not getting the pork they want, not getting enough contributions, or not getting the level of bribes and kickbacks they expect.
Byah collected campaign contributions up until he decided to retire. What happens to that money?! It reverts to his own private wealth. Pig.
Bayh voted for Obamacare, so he’s dead...
But then McCain was supposed to be dead after his support for illegal immigration, but then he came back and won the GOP nomination.
Romney, the current supposed leader, supported goverenment health care as a gov.
The point I’m making is that despite what should be obvious, given the way the GOP has set up its nomination process (which favors moderates over conservatives) a Bayh nomination isn’t as far fetched as might first be thought.
Of course, he would lose in a landslide to Obama, but the RINO party seems happier losing with a moderate than winning with a conservative.
People can throw anything against the wall they want. That doesn’t mean it’ll stick. Personally, I don’t buy this, but then I’m not a political consultant. However, I doubt the republicans would be so unwise as to seriously back a ‘newbie’ over their own stable come 2012. That could lead to insurrection for sure.
Not accurate. Under federal law, Bayh cannot personally use that money.
McLame only one the tird or fourth major race- after losing all the ones before it- and then THE MEDIA proclaimed him as the winner
We must NEVER FORGET the democraps and THE MEDIA chose our 2008 candidate
Michael Steele- what the hell are you stil doing in charge of the GOP???? Don't you know how to resign with dignity after a shameful loss?
“Not accurate. Under federal law, Bayh cannot personally use that money.”
Are you sure? I’ve read that in a couple places, but should have checked my facts.
I know Evan Bayh. From my roots in Indiana and several relatives that live there now.
The man will not run for President because he lacks the “fire in the belly” that is needed to run for that office. He knows it, I know it and many of the people close to him know it.
He'd better hurry up. The private sector is rapidly disappearing.
I believe he can donate to other candidates etc. Probably can have a staff that is paid from these funds also (family members).
I didn’t realise that the GOP was running a nominee for President this year?
And here I just thought the Palin people were getting an early start!
Maybe we’ve changed to the parliamentary form of government and Prime Minister 0-bama has called for an election this year.....
Not gonna happen. And I'm entertained by the continual references to Bayh as "moderate." Little about his voting record impresses me to be anything other than a lockstep dem. According to Project Vote Smart (http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=22418)
1. He voted FOR 0bamaCare from "jump."
2. He voted AGAINST prohibiting federal funds for abortions.
3. He voted AGAINST prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion.
4. He voted FOR immigration amnesty.
5. He voted AGAINST drilling in ANWR.
6. He voted AGAINST Alito and Roberts for SCOTUS.
7. He voted AGAINST the Federal Marriage Amendment.
8. He supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 86% of the time.
9. He supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent.
10. He supported NARAL in a range of 60-100% for the past four years.
11. In 2008 National Taxpayers Union gave Senator Bayh a rating of F.
12. He supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 57 percent in 2007-2008.
13. He supported the interests of the Human Rights Campaign 90 percent in 2007-2008.
Doesn't read "moderate" to me.
I believe he can donate to other candidates etc. Probably can have a staff that is paid from these funds also (family members).
the notion is CRAZY and there no way that Bayh would get the GOP nomination.
That used to be the law, but it changed in the 90s. The candidate can repay loans that he made to the campaign, but only up to a certain amount. After that, it can be given to other candidates (or the party’s general fund), to charity, or returned to the contributors.
Correct. But the campaign fund can employ him and his family for years...with REALLY GREAT salaries and benefits.
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