Monday, February 15, 2010

Shocker: Bayh Drops Bid For Re-election

The Star's Mary Beth Schneider has a breaking news story that will send shock waves throughout Indiana's political world. Sen. Evan Bayh has decided to drop his bid for re-election to the Senate because of the increasing partisanship in Washington she reports. She attributes the following quotes to 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.”

"But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough,” Bayh said. “And it has never been what motivates me. At this time I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor.”

“Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed, but seven members who had endorsed the idea instead voted ‘no’ for short-term political reasons,” he said. “Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create jobs — the public’s top priority — fell apart amid complaints from both the left and right. All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state4 and our nation than continued service in Congress.”

Bayh's shocking decision will leave the Indiana Democratic Party in a mad scramble to find a candidate and collect enough signatures to get a candidate on the ballot before Friday's filing deadline. Perhaps Dan Coats had some clue that Bayh's decision may be coming and would explain his late entry into the race. This race is going to get real interesting.

UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth is not ruling out the possibility of running for the Senate according to a statement posted by WTHR. He could be appointed to fill Bayh's spot on the ballot if no candidate meets this week's filing deadline, which seems unlikely at this point.

31 comments:

artfuggins said...

Actually it is too late to collect and certify the signatures. The vacancy can be filled by the state chairman. I know who I speculate will get the nomination.

dcrutch said...

At a time when bipartisan compromise is desperately needed, we seem to be at a polarized zenith. I think Senator Bayh has a valid point that our public servants are much more concerned with serving party and turf than taxpayers and the fiscal future of our kids. However, I don't think Senator Bayh is the one to hurl the stone of philosophical incongruity very hard, given his voting against a debt ceiling yet favoring corrupt and expensive health "reform".

Our country demographically, statistically, is suppossed to roughly be 20% liberal, 40% conservative, and 40% moderate or in the middle. Everybody's not going to get what they want. However, some issues can be tackled up the middle of these demographics, particularly with regulatory reform versus unaffordable spending, if the end result is in this "sweet spot" of ideological orientation. Health reform is a candidate.

Any "reform" based on a straight-line or near straight-line party vote (by ANY party) is not serving America at time when we desperately need cooperation and depolarization. Nor, is carping from the sidelines and any avoidance of a fair, bipartisan discussion on behalf of the American people.

I may think Senator Bayh is the wrong messenger, but thanks to him for the important message he leaves with us.

Paul K. Ogden said...

Art, no it is not too late. The law says that the signatures are to be turned in with the statement of candidacy. The last day to file a statement of candidacy is noon Friday. If someone files before then, and they're the only candidate, they are going to be the nominee. The chairman can't appoint someone if there is no vacancy.

Had Enough Indy? said...

This late date for announcing he is not running is reminiscent of Brizzi's delay - hands the party candidate decision over to a tiny handful of people.

Had Enough Indy? said...

Actually Paul, I happened upon this issue at the MC Election Office just last week. The date for candidates for US Senate to submit the petition of nomination to the county voter registration offices for verification is noon, Tuesday. State law says 77 days prior to the date of the Primary.

Hoosier in the Heartland said...

I'm flabbergasted!
Bayh is just giving up because others are more concerned with serving party and turf?
Where's his devotion to the good people of Hoosierland!
Or, what job has he already accepted in the private sector. Hmmmmm.

patriot paul said...

CNN carried the short press conference, then speculated Bayh would run for Indiana Governor in 2012.

Sean Shepard said...

Anyone else notice Bart Peterson was at the press conference?

Paul and HEI: My understanding was that signatures needed to be in by noon Tuesday. That's the date/time all of the Republican Senate campaigns are working to I believe?

Paul K. Ogden said...

HEI,

I didn't see that in the Code. I saw the Friday at noon and the signature requirement to be filed with the declaration of candidacy. It's probably in a different part of the Code. I'll look for it.

Donna Dene said...

He wants to be President.

Marycatherine Barton said...

I would not be surprised if Bart Peterson will be the gentleman chosen by Dan Parker, to fill this vacancy. Very, very interesting, eh!

Had Enough Indy? said...

Paul - try IC 3-8-2-8 through IC 3-8-2-10 -- honestly, just went through it last week. Serendipity.

Downey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Blog Admin said...

patriot paul,

Thanks for lowering my expectations of cable news. They do know he was governor for 2 terms already, right?

Bart Lies said...

So, maybe am I going to have to start blogging seriously again?

Covenant60 said...

Here is a Dem candidate for Indiana US Senate who is trying to get the necessary signatures. If she gets them and files in time, there is nothing the state Dems can do to add anyone else to the ballot for the primary....

http://www.tamyraforsenate.com/

Paul K. Ogden said...

Michael,

You are correct. Wouldn't that be a hoot if she got the signatures and the plans of the state Ds to pick the nominee got scuttled?

I confirmed too...the deadline for the signatures is Tuesday at noon.

Carlos F. Lam said...

I doubt that Bayh is going to run for governor. It would seem too wacky...it would have a "been there/done that" quality. I don't doubt that there's a chancellorship or some such nonsense for him waiting at IU or IUPUI.

Downey said...

What is the latest from Tamyra d'Ippolito? As of Friday, she was about 1000 signatures short. If she got the rest submitted by tomorrow at noon, she would be uncontested for the Dem nomination, right?

Jon E. Easter said...

Bayh for Governor makes sense. Evan was a much better Governor than he was a Senator. Under Indiana law he can run again.

Gary R. Welsh said...

It doesn't look like Tamyra is even close on signatures. She hasn't even filed anything in Monroe County where she lives.

Carlos F. Lam said...

Finally--and I know that many of us who are political junkies never really consider this angle--his sons have lived in northern VA since age 3. They've started high school. I'm no Bayh fan, but I know he loves his sons. Making them move to what is essentially a brand-new place in the middle of HS seems cruel. In fact, I think he'd turn down an IU/IUPUI chancellorship for that reason.

Covenant60 said...

She doesnt have to file anything in Monroe or any other county. She has to get at least 500 sigs from each of Indianas nine CDs and file all of them with the SecState.

And Michael... yes, if just one person qualifies for the Dem primary ballot... that person will be the Dem nominee. The Dems would then have to force her to quit like they did that Illinois Lt Gov candidate.

BTW, teh rumor is that Mikulski (D-MD) will announce her retirement this week as well.

The Dems are dropping like flies. The wussies are too chicken to take their medicine this November. It is going to be an epic election blowout. The Dems may just win 4 Senate races.

Indy4U2C said...

Thank Evan Bayh for today's news about bums in the urban areas of Indy!

Yes, Evan Bayh closed Central State Hospital, where these people would have received proper care, treatment, personal hygiene, not eat from trash cans, not have access to illegal drugs, not spread STD/AIDS!!!!

Thanks, Evan for creating a NEW SOCIAL PROBLEM, and spreading social disease!!!

What do you think happens when you kick the mentally ill and drug addicts out of a proper clean facility???

I'll tell you: They eat from garbage cans, STEAL from us to survive, poop in public places, use drugs, spread AIDS/STD's, have no access to personal hygiene, and live under bridges in the inner city for leftists like Evan to perpetuate that sick, destructive lifestyle by bring them food so they can continue the cycle!

The answer is to reopen Central State Hospital, give them a clean environment where no illegal drugs are allowed, allow them to achieve their potential, stop spreading AIDS/STD's, and be as productive as their ability allows!

Evan Bayh, thanks for leaving the Senate! -But you left a world of hurt in Indiana from your misdeeds.

Marycatherine Barton said...

Thanks for this introduction to Tamyra D'Ippolito, the underdog for US Senate, for fourteen more hours, at least!

Covenant60 said...

Assuming, as is likely, that Tamrya does not have the required sigs to get on the ballot, what is there to prevent her from organizing a write-in campaign, and getting more votes than anyone else in the Dem primary? I know that you can declare as a write-in candidate for a general election...... can you also do so in a primary? And if you are "not allowed" to do so, isnt that unconstitutional?

Downtown Indy said...

If Bayh is setting up for a run a president, the Dems would surely be opposed to that.

They have made it quite clear that a politician who quits her current office because she can't deal with with the rancor can't possibly be suited for a run at the presidency.

That has to be true for a male candidate, too. But maybe only for Republicans?

Covenant60 said...

I bet Bayh runs for governor in 2012.

Wilson46201 said...

"Downtown Indy" can rest assured that Senator Evan Bayh will serve out his full 6-year term as elected by the people. It's the sudden quitting in midterm that many Alaskans found unusual and irresponsible.

Marycatherine Barton said...

Yesterday, on MSNBC, Senator Bayh announced that he has no intentions of ever running for president.

artfuggins said...

..but Wilson, Bayh is a quitter by retiring when the Democratic party will be fighting to retain our majority. Bayh by his votes abandoned the Democratic party long ago.....he could have given the citizens advance notice so that there could have been a spirited primary.