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Bye, Bye, Good Ole Senator BayhPosted Friday, February 19, 2010, at 12:39 AM
With Senator Evan Bayh announcing his retirement, a vacuum has been opened. Who will take his vacated seat, and what will it mean for Hoosiers and the rest of the country?
I will touch upon the latter questions in a bit, but I want to spend time giving kudos to him and his service. Senator Bayh, you have done a tremendous job for Indiana and the United States for the past twelve years. Your centrist and moderate ways will be incredibly missed because whoever takes your seat will only succeed you, not replace you. You have been critical of Presidents Bush and Obama alike and recently posting in the Wall Street Journal on how this government needs to show fiscal restraint during this turbulent time. While preaching leadership, it would be good for our leaders to lead by example, and you could not be any more correct with your Op-Ed in the Journal. Unthinking liberals (not me, of course) in the Democratic Party attacked you for being too moderate. They said people like you would pull the party to the middle, while they may be true, they are simplistic at best. You fought for unions, small towns, farmers, business, senior citizens, and education (http://www.votesmart.org). What the whacky wing of our party missed was that you served Indiana, not the crazy wing of the Democratic Party. Besides, that is how things are done - by compromising!!! What is sad, though, is that you served Indiana better than anyone. Senator Bayh, you will be missed in the Senate. Your practicality and compassion is immeasurable and can only be compared to Senator McCain (although McCain wins because he is as old as dirt), and whoever fills your seat will not share the same moderate views as you. The only candidate who could possibly share the same centrist views is the current 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth. He voted against cap and trade, is pro-life, pro-education, pro-business, and fights for unions. His kind of centrist perspective is what should shadow Bayh's departure. On the other hand, former "leaders" like Sen. Dan Coats and Rep. John Hostettler are not the kind of men who have moderate views. If anyone's agenda is so right wing that it makes Kaiser Wilhelm look liberal, it is Rep. Hostettler and Senator Coats. The credibility of bipartisanship that Bayh left in that seat would be washed away with conservative red if either Hostettler or Coats wins the seat. Indiana needs moderate viewpoints, not another reason for conservative spin. With that, I want to thank Senator Bayh for his years of public service to our great state. He has been the voice of reason, and as of late, reason has been substituted for excuses. While I doubt anyone outside of Greene County, or Indiana for that matter, reads this blog, I cannot say you will find this, but in case you do, there are some people in this state, party, and country who appreciate your work and your resolve. I am one of those people. Till Next Time, Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Good ridance Bayh!
We are tired of your support of the ridiculous Obama administration. In specific, you could have been the leader, that you brag to be, had you voted against the Health Care bill, but you voted along party lines.
We are tired of your flip-flopping on your campaign promises and being a standard liberal puppet.
I do congratulate you on knowing when to quit. The hand-writing was on the wall that you were going to be replaced in November. Maybe the rest of your ilk will get the message as well.
Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, you need to represent your constituents when in Congress. You are better for America in the private sector and not on our dime.
Looks like cow rancher just proved your point.
This (retirement) is the best thing he has done for the state of Indiana. Hopefully we will get someone who truly represents the majority of his constituency. I pray we don't get another pretty-boy fence sitter (Ellsworth) who just goes with the party-line flow.
Personally, I think that Bayh was a great representation of Indiana. Just because cow rancher and vinter think that anything that agrees with the Democrats is liberal extremism, doesn't mean it's true. He was very prone to compromise and held neutral views. He voted for the healthcare plan because it was and is a good idea. He was an example of what a member of Congress should be. He had his views, which conflicted with other people's views, but he found the common ground and made some great pieces of legislation because of that. I can only hope he will be replaced with somebody like Brad Ellsworth. I have met the man in person multiple times, and he is a really good guy, who is willing to compromise. He also voted for the healthcare plan, because it was and is a good idea. The problem is when cow rancher says he needs to represent his constituents, he has this odd illusion in his head that only the conservative constituents matter and all other constituents are crazy liberals. But apparently a lot of Indiana citizens are pro-union and pro-other fundamental Democrat ideals, or he wouldn't have been elected. That is how the two party system works. Most of the time the person who people agree with the most are elected.
That, DonCon, is why he dropped out now. He was not going to be re-elected.
I have met he and his father. Quite frankly, I was more impressed with going to McDonald's and getting a hamburger.
Since you don't know what is in my head, I'll tell you:
Constitutional Republic under God
Conservative
Anti-abortion
Less income taxes
Less Government
More personal FREEDOM
I believe in pretty much the opposite of what Senator Bayh stands for in Washington. Unfortunately, his views always changed when he was stumping for our votes than the way he voted in Washington.
Ellsworth and Bayh are exactly the kind of Democrats that are needed. Bayh will be missed.
The Democrat party has always been at its best when it has a strong influence from the middle of the road Democrats.
Bayh made some great points in his farewell speech...Washington would be better if they had more politicians that had Hoosier values and sensibilty. Both Democrats and Republicans alike don't lean too hard left or right(if they do they don't last long). They realize the benefit of compromise and have common sense. Lugar is a touch to the right, while Bayh was a touch to the left. A great representation of Indiana.
I think Bayh did a fine job representing the state of Indiana.
As for re-election, I doubt he had much to worry about. Just because Karl Rove gets hired to think up some political drool to put on a sign doesn't necessarily mean a loss for Bayh. Anybody with a computer and half a brain could look it up. Once someone educated themsleves, they would find it was a bit more complex than the catchy sign implies. Then again some people love the kool-aid made by the Republican strategists.
This resignation was considered well before President Obama's election. I spoke with a main staffer who is connected with our family that Senator Bayh was considering this move before the Election of 2008.
I believe that he hoped that he would be offered the VP position so he could go back to an executive decision making position in gov't.
Just a thought.....
I'm hoping that this decision leads to him running for governor in 2012.
Me too, EggMan.
Hilarious.
cow rancher always comes through with the goods. The unintentional comedy quotient is through the roof with this one.
If Bush and McCain were "conservatives" that pushed smaller government and more personal freedoms then I'll eat my shoe.
Rove colored glasses, anyone?
We have not had an administration yet that has given us less government. "Liberals" expand government into social engineering and welfare for individuals, "Conservatives" expand government into the military-industrial complex and welfare for corporations.
Each promote a idealogical agenda to motivate their bases, but do not actually subscribe to. We have now ended up with a broken government that forces common sense politicians like Bayh out of the picture. It is not an appealing situation.
It's been an honor to have Senator Bayh serve Indiana! So sorry to hear of your retirement Evan! Good luck to You, Susan and the Boys!
I think you all need to get a grip on the big picture. Bayh is taking the first step that most of us should be implementing in the next election. Vote them all out. Congress is too full of fat cats who are not willing to get along and are "rewarded" by underhanded deals from private interest groups. Democrat and Republican alike need to be sent a message that we no longer tolerate the way they are doing business. No more incumbants. If your party has someone in office they need to let them know they aren't going to get elected again and should step down as Bayh did. Until we unite on this one issue, we (the voting public) will not be taken seriously and no message will be delivered. I don't trust any of our "leaders" in Washington.
They say we work four months to pay our taxes for the year. Well what does that get me? A bunch of idiots who can't agree on anything, spending money they didn't earn, and getting paid to pass laws no one wants. How about we look at laws that have been passed and see if they are really working instead of sponsoring new laws so it looks like they are doing something. I could go on and on, but my blood pressure is high enough without getting on a roll.
I hardly think we need Evan Bayh back as governor. His legacy as governor? Can you say legalized gambling & the lottery? That's a dubious accomplishment! And as for his accomplishments in the Senate? In 11 1/2 years only six bills he sponsored or co-sponsored have passed. But then, all things considered, maybe that's a good thing ....
"Rove colored glasses"...I love it :)
Bayh for Governor 2012! I'm in.
- In an interview on MSNBC this morning, newly retiring Sen. Evan Bayh declared the American political system "dysfunctional," riddled with "brain-dead partisanship" and permanent campaigning. Flatly denying any possibility that he'd seek the presidency or any other higher office, Bayh argued that the American people needed to deliver a "shock" to Congress by voting incumbents out in mass and replacing them with people interested in reforming the process and governing for the good of the people, rather than deep-pocketed special-interest groups.
Bayh represents all that is wrong with government. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth to a daddy that was a career politician. He rode his daddy's coattails to his own political career. He has never done an honest day's work in his life. He has never and will never be in touch with the common man. Good riddance.
I beg everyone, at the booth, do not vote for anyone with an "i" next to their name. That i is not independent, it is incumbent, meaning they are running for re-election. We need to start our government over.
"Bayh represents all that is wrong with government. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth to a daddy that was a career politician. He rode his daddy's coattails to his own political career. He has never done an honest day's work in his life. He has never and will never be in touch with the common man. Good riddance."
Sounds familiar.
Ten to one says you didn't have this view in 2004 after four years of what's-his-name.
Thank you for your service to Indiana, Senator Bayh! I appreciate your insight into the mess Washington has become, but I question why it took you 11.5 years to come to this conclusion? We the people, have watched you be an active participant in "the mess" for these 11.5 years and wondered why you treated us this way? We the people of Greene County have wondered why you never came to visit us to hear our opinions of "the mess?" You and our "elder" Senator are both examples of why term limits should be imposed! Again, Thank You for your service, but we need fresh ideas and fresh faces to solve the problems that you have helped create.
garth,
No need to eat your shoe, your foot is already in your mouth anyway.
Neither Pres. Bush nor McCain were fiscal conservatives. The new breed of Constitutional conservatives (of which I am one) has room for practical democrats and republicans.
I agree with others on here. The exodus has only just begun. Obama is poison to a democrats re-election campaign and the republicans who have spent so much during the Bush administration should be voted out as well.
As far as Rove colored glasses, that's pretty clever, even for you. I do trust Mr. Rove to be a good contributor to America as opposed to Raum Emanuel (one of the most crooked, foul-mouthed people in government).
There are several snakes in politics, like McCain and Obama (and Bayh), who change their politics to be the flavor of the month. Another great reason to replace the incumbents with someone other than lawyers and polished politicians.
Follow the voting records...and our money.
cow rancher- I guess you would find Rove to be a good contributor to America....he has made a good living off perpetuating the very things you seem to despise about politics. Just a good ole capitalist trying to make a buck. Fact is he makes his honest days work off of half truths and flat out lies. He is everything that is wrong with politics. Don't get me wrong he is one of many, but to call him a good contributor is laughable at best.
Karl Rove is one of the key reasons that our government is broken these days. His politics of isolation and fear have defeated common sense, if there ever was any.
Not that he is alone by any means, though. We have become a government by special interests, of special interests and for special interests.
I bet there are people in every state that would say something similar about their elected officials. This is why government won't change. Too many constituents think, "My congressman isn't that bad, its the other guys that need to be voted out."
Carl Rove this, George Bush that, John McCain here, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! Democrats, I can't believe that you haven't got a poke in on Rush Limbaugh, yet? Oh, yes, let's not forget the evil Mitch Daniels!!!!!! Wake up and see that neither side is doing its job! Quit blaming Republicans and vice versa! If we can ever wake up and realize that MASSIVE government doesn't work, then we'll have a good start. Maybe we need a revolution to make us realize that our current path leads only to destruction. Vote 'em all out and start over!
Can't believe we're on the "Eve of Destruction".
Methinks Evan is tired of being surrounded by wingnuts.
Ready to play golf Garth?
Whether you like Evan Bayh or not. He has served the people of Indiana for over 23 years and has served the people well. I hope he will decide to serve the people another 8 years as our Governor once again.
Can Bayh run for governor again? I thought Indiana had term limits.
Yes he can.. you may not serve more than two terms consecutive terms...
I would love to see a Evan Bayh and John Gregg ticket in 2012!!!
John Gregg is a good man who at least can stand behind his decisions. Bayh is just a lukewarm politician.
Let's hope Bayh runs for president , then loses, so he can get a real job like the rest of us.
I like Bayh, but John Gregg as Governor is something I would love to see. I'm not sure that is a possibilty until his boys are through school. They may be in HS by now.
I'd love to see John Gregg back in Indiana politics again. He and Bayh would make a great team.
The boys are both in high school. One is a currently a senior and the other one graduates in 2012. I would love to see John on top of a governor ticket also but a Bayh Gregg ticket would be awfully tough to beat.
The right-wing neo-cons have convinced me; I used to be pro-life, but after reading their comments, I am an ardent supporter of the pro-choice position.
Thank you Senator Bayh. You have my respect and admiration. I have no idea how you managed to work with the right-wing neo-cons for all of your twelve years in the United States Senate.
He didn't work with anyone but his party. He got behind secret, locked doors with Harry Reid and his liberal-progressive buddies.
When the kitchen got hot, he got out.
You were never pro-life (niether was your admired Bayh), just pro-complainer.
Start looking up....November is just around the corner!
cow waste product cleaner-upper:
Were you kicked in the head by one of your bovines; or, are you just naturally short a few bricks of a full load?
When November arrives we will still not have a right-wing, neo-nazi, republiCON executive branch.
Nor will we have a right-wing, rabid-racist, republiCON controlled legislative branch.
Things are "looking up"! God will bless America; and keep the right-wing, conseraNUTS shoveling bovine waste.
Very clever name calling! I expect nothing more from a guy like you! When an argument is unwinnable, the liberal progressive always resorts to name calling.
Go meat!
I am amazed that we even have people willing to run for and serve in any political office with so many critics who claim to have all of the answers.
I am amazed that there are critics of the critics who add even more nothing to the discussion.
Your new breed of Constitutional Conservatives must be a big proponent of tunnel vision and extreme self confidence. Maybe you should switch you handle to "pig farmer."
cow rancher:
You win the contest! You have been selected as the poster person for the 2010 pro-choice election campaign. We will be contacting your parents to get permission to use your commentary. Congratulations, I am confident a more deserving right-wing representative could not have been located.
Euphamisms of liberal progresives:
pro-baby death=pro-choice!
recipient of a penny of stimulus money=jobs saved!
tea party patriots=far right wing neo-cons!
Obama, Pelosi, Reid=The future of America!
community organizers=ACORN!
warming by the sun=anthropomorphic global warming!
we saved the economy=TARPand Stimulus supporters!
We dominated Iraq=Obama, Biden and cronies!
Bye, Bye Good Old Senator Bayh= new title for old blog....what the heck...cheerleader
BNP, Glob&Barker= Patriots!!
moderate, compromiser=Senator Bayh!
Interesting how one can sit behind a computer screen and a screen name and feel they know it all.
It would be interesting to hear what went behind closed doors with Bayh and some of the far left liberals within the Democratic party. By the tone of Bayh's farewell speech...he is sick of both sides. Nobody can say for sure, but it is interesting some think they know.
It is a little disturbing that the American right to discuss, disagree, and debate is some how grounds for name calling and questioning of ones patriotism. I can't think of many things more American that debating.
Compromise is the core of any good government. I'm proud of Bayh for making efforts to compromise....was he successful? Most aren't. Think about it, the idiots on the far left and right that never compromise for the good of the nation... can always fall back on sticking to their guns...politicians that try to reach across the aisle and get something positive done get crucified for it...yet we all want change in Washington...well look who's heads will be on the chopping block in this election...moderate Republicans and Democrats. Regardless, of who takes control of the house and senate...their will be the same ole same ole far left and far right folks bogging things down.
Having had the wonderful opportunity, on more than one occasion, to lobby on a state and national level for health care-primarily home care and hospice-I can only contribute this: neither Bayh nor Ellsworth are the proponents they claim to be for affordable health care; like all politicians they do a great deal of talking but much less doing.
I want to say something that SOME PEOPLE need to remember. My Father always told me:
a Fool NEVER changes his mind and a wise man always comprimises.
a VERY Wise Republican Taught me:
Comprimise ALWAYS on Taste, but not on Biblical Doctrine... so that to me says MOST everything in Government needs comprimise.
silvercityDude, I think you are right on the money. Leadership is about compromise while still reaching for a goal.
The current political environment is too polarizing. It seems that to get elected in a primary, politicians have to satisfy the extreme ends of their parties, but to win a general election, have to satisfy the moderates in the middle. Unfortunately, to get that far, they are not too attractive to the moderates, and we end up with candidates that in the end please far too few.
Fareed Zakaria (has a Sunday afternoon talk show on CNN) in his book "The Future of Freedom, Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad", which was published in 2003, made some statements seven years ago which seem to be ringing true today regarding Bayh:
"Over the last thirty years the Senate has been populated by many decent and honorable people. But they are politicians, not saints. They must survive and flourish within a political system, and that system has changed radically in recent years. That is why so many of the best in the Senate have left voluntarily in the last decade. Almost all of them have left saying that the politcial system has gotten out of control. Ironically, for all their wisdom most of these men and women voted for the changes that turned American politics into the hyper-responsive, poll-driven system that it has become."
I recommend Mr. Zakaria's book to everyone interested in everything from politics here in our country, to how our country goes about the business of nation-building in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
Before anyone gets too charged up over the term illiberal in the title to Mr. Zakaria's book, let me quote a footnote:
"I use the term "liberal" in the nineteenth-century sense, meaning concerned with the individual economic, political, and religious liberty, which is sometimes call "classical liberalism", not in the modern, American sense, which associates it with the welfare state, affirmative action, and other policies."