So says the Indianapolis Star:
Sen. Evan Bayh will not run for re-election, a decision that will shock Democrats and Republicans alike in Indiana.
In prepared remarks, Bayh, 54, cited excessive partisanship that makes progress on public policy difficult to achieve as the motivation for his decision.
“After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” he said.
“My decision was not motivated by political concern,” he added. “Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.”
Among other things, Bayh cited the recent Senate vote against a bipartisan commission to deal with the deficit (which would likely have recommended big cuts in entitlements).
Do we have any bench in Indiana? I assume not.
Of course not, since every poll shows you beating Coats, Hostettler and Sultzman.
What a asshole, I know I shouldn’t curse but we turned a likely Dem seat into a safe GOP seat.
Thanks alot Evan.
thank you for ruining my morning. Someone call Brad Ellsworth.
Whatever candidate wants to run has approx. 96 hours to collect 500 signatures from each of 9 congressional districts.
Good luck with that.
1998 – Coats opts out of Bayh challenge
2010 – Bayh opts out of Coats challenge
The filing deadline for Arkansas is March 8, so I’m going to say Blanche Lincoln decides not to run on March 6 or even better the 7th, which is a Sunday (that way Democrats only have Sunday and Monday to find a replacement).
Although the filing deadline is Friday(paperwork). All the signatures need to be in by tommorow! No one can win this as a write in candidate.
Let’s just ignore that whole ‘registration deadline’ thing that’s likely going to cause headaches, and think about what this leaves us with.
First off, I think we can be pretty sure guys like Pence are going to take another look at this seat, especially in light of how amazingly underwhelming Coats’ entrance into the race was.
Second, we do have a strong roster of candidates (though a thin one), but said candidates are all Congressmen from districts that are at best swingy and at worst have a pronounced Republican lean. So even if, say, Brad Ellsworth or Baron Hill runs and wins, we’re going to have a good chance at losing at least one House seat.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
What a B****** with a capital B. At this late stage, I’ve never seen such an act of breath-taking selfishness.
But there is one large silver-lining, $13,000,000 COH that BETTER go to the DNC. So help me God Bayh, it better!
on the Dem’s shitlist? B/c if I were a Dem I would seriously be hating Bayh right now. One day before sigs are needed? Dick move.
Let’s just hope whoever wins this seat isn’t the second coming of James Inhofe.
Beau Biden gives too important coups to the Party’s prospects. And Joe Kennedy too, but Joe never would think republicans would end winning the seat.
Democratic Party is failing in the recruitment for the senate this year.
Please, what tell C Grassley when is asked about T Branstad and R Vander Plaats? Can C Grassley get out this fight without disappoint the supporters of one or booth candidates?