Evan Bayh

Steve Dalton spots a Porter County politico’s hypothesis that Evan Bayh quit because he felt he was vulnerable in this year’s political climate of growing dissatisfaction with Washington, D.C. in a Washington Post article.

Writes the Post’s Peter Slevin in “Bayh’s departure worries Indiana Democrats:”

Bayh said in his departure speech that his reelection was not in doubt, yet Chuck Williams, the Republican Party chairman in nearby Porter County, said the senator was probably vulnerable because of growing dissatisfaction with Obama and the Democratic-led Congress, particularly over federal spending and the faltering economy.

Photo by marcn.

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Technorati Tags: Democrats, Evan Bayh, Indiana, Senate

The Sample Gates wrote that Evan Bayh’s internal polling showed he was ahead in the race for U.S. Senate.

Indiana’s election season should be interesting.

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Technorati Tags: Evan Bayh, Indiana, US Senate

But, Hoosier Access’ Scott raises some questions about Sen. Dan Coat’s entry into the senate race for those of us who enjoy watching politics:

So why is Dan Coats’ entry enough to move the rating when the national environment and the polling didn’t cause it to budge?

He hasn’t raised any money. He’s starting late. He hasn’t run a competitive election before (and declined to face Bayh last time). He has unfortunately baggage (lobbying, TARP, residency, etc).

There also hasn’t been a poll matching him up against Bayh, though polling has shown the race competitive with other potential November opponents (one of which is already running).

So where does that leave us?

We have a candidate with no money, no polling, no prior serious campaign experience, but who is being talked up by a bunch of GOP bigwigs.

Why?

I hope to learn the answer, since what I am seeing so far doesn’t convince me.

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Technorati Tags: Dan Coats, Evan Bayh, Indiana, politics, Senate

NUVO says that Bayh will embarrass Indiana and is a “do-nothing senator.”

Writes Steve Hammer:

Bayh is like John Edwards without the charisma. And since Edwards pretty much lacks any charisma, that’s quite an insult. Bayh is like John Kerry without Kerry’s comedic skills.
He’s like George Bush without any of Bush’s credibility, charm and sweetness or Ted Kennedy without the driving skills.

Ouch!

H/T: Trifles from Anderson, Indiana

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Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Election 2008, Evan Bayh