Bayh: Too Early for Serious Candidate to Consider Presidential Run

[sabra]

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http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3437032&nav=0Ra7aheZ

Bayh: Too Early for Serious Candidate to Consider Presidential Run


U.S. Senator Evan Bayh remains noncommittal as to whether his name would be on the ballot for president in three years.

The Indiana senator told the 1,100 Democrats who attended a weekend dinner at the Indianapolis Marriott that it's far too early for a serious candidate to acknowledge a decision to run for president. He says a decision would likely come sometime after the 2006 midterm elections.

Bayh's keynote speech criticized President Bush's administration and Republicans on a range of issues. He said history will judge Bush "very harshly."


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[saltpoint]

1. Bayh's running.

He will be formidable iin Iowa.

He'll have a lot of Gep's appeal but a far better organization and maybe more money.

He could still lose to Edwards / Kerry / Clinton / Feingold for the top spot but wind up as a VP nominee on the ticket.

[woodleydem]

8. I think Vilsack will run, which will make an Iowa win moot. New Hampshire

and the first Southern primary, South Carolina, will determine Bayh's chances. Bayh reminds me of a conservative version of Al Gore, which is not a bad thing. He has the looks, the pedigree, and the executive experience. He is almost a perfect candidate on paper, with a decidedly centrist political record. Whether that will translate into a win, who knows. But he's as good a candidate as any Dem at this point.

[saltpoint]

9. I think you're right about Vilsack running. It's looking more like it

all the time.

But then-Governor Roger Branigan (D-IN) ran for favorite son in the Indiana primary in 1968 and was defeated by an out-of-stater named Robert Kennedy.

Can't say what wwill happen with Vilsack but Evan Bayh looks like he means business.

Right now it seems as if Iowa may be a sensational story: Bayh, Vilsack, Clinton, Feingold, Edwards, Clark, and god knows who else -- all competing for Iowans' votes.

I'm buyin' me a ticket!

[tritsofme]

10. If Vilsack runs, I can't see Iowa being contested

Like how in 1992 with Harken running no one seriously contested Iowa.

[saltpoint]

11. Good point. Things may pick up some then in New Hampshire.

It's going to be interesting.

[nickshepDEM]

2. He's running...

Bayh is doing everything within his power to position himself for the Democratic nomination. He's moving left, beefing up his campaign staff, and delivering his message to the people. He's definitely running.

Bayh is my number two guy for 2008. Number one is in my profile.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Well, hopefully Mr. Warner will be in the Senate in 2008.

[cestpaspossible]

4. To early to 'acknowledge a decision ' - in other words,

he's already decided to run, but it's to early to say so.


Is there a reason to be excited about Bayh's candidacy?

[nickshepDEM]

5. ....

Is there a reason to be excited about Bayh's candidacy?

Winning the General Election...

[cestpaspossible]

6. I mean a reality-based reason to be excited about his candidacy.

Not a wish-based one.

Is there a reason in his biography, his record, or his rhetoric to be excited about his candidacy?

[Skarbrowe]

7. He was my Gov in Indiana and the only thing I can think of is that he is

squeaky clean, as moderate as you can get and still be considered a Democrat, has a great, good looking family, would be a good candidate for Republicans who might want to get away from the Bush monsters, but not look like they are abandoning their core principles and he is good looking himself in that "In my heart I only want to vote for a good looking white male"...way.

I'll have to do a lot of reading on his voting record because he was so moderately bland that even though he was my Gov, for eight years, I think, I don't know a darn thing about him except the above.

He would have to really get out there and start making himself a known entity.

In other words, his main qualifier is that he would not be objectionable to moderates and possibly a good number of conservatives. I want a Democrat to win in 2008. If that's possible with the voting equipment. And to be honest, I think that Evan Bayh would be less divisive than most possible candidates so far mentioned.
Unfortunately, that's the only reason I can think of at this time for wanting him to run.