Bayh won't run for governor

[Mr. Morden]

link:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/indiana-sen-evan-bayh-to-run-f.html

[Phony Moderate]

Getting ready to challenge Obama, presumably.

[Landslide Lyndon]

What a wimp.

[Marokai Backbeat]

He really wants to serve the people of Indiana.

By doing nothing for Indiana.

[redcommander]

The man has no political spine.

[Nichlemn]

Does anyone else double-take that Bayh (among others) is still a Senator? It's not just the lame duck period: whenever a Senator retires, I feel like they resign instantly. Dodd still being a Senator seems strange to me as well.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

He really is deathly afraid of getting into any race where he might lose isn't he?

Baron Hill as a backup option maybe? Ellsworth again? Ugh, Bayh really was their best chance of winning this governorship.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

Also, doesn't he have like 10 million dollars left in his warchest?

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

He knew that Obama probably won't carry Indiana and Dems wont win the senate race either so that in itself probably doomed his chances against the well financed Pence.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

He knew that Obama probably won't carry Indiana and Dems wont win the senate race either so that in itself probably doomed his chances against the well financed Pence.

That assumes that Pence isn't going to run for President. Also, Bayh still remains very personally popular and the race with Pence would easily be a toss-up and his chances wouldn't be terrible at all.

[tpfkaw]

Getting ready to challenge Obama, presumably.

[Rowan]

Um, he said he isn't running because of the welfare of his sons. I fail to see how that translates to a run against Obama.

[-]

What a wimp.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Why would Democrats go for Bayh over Obama? Obama's right-wing enough for all but the DINOs.

[tmthforu94]

Bayh was the only person who could save the Indiana Democratic Party. With him out, all hope is lost for them winning any statewide races, and it'll get even worse down-ballot.

[Skill and Chance]

Bayh was the only person who could save the Indiana Democratic Party. With him out, all hope is lost for them winning any statewide races, and it'll get even worse down-ballot.

Obama carried IN only 2 years ago.  It's a bit early to conclude that the IN Dems are done.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Indiana has a vibrant Tea Party contingent. Obama will not carry Indiana in 2012. Unless acorn tries their shenanigans.

[DrScholl]

Two years is a long way off, it's way to early to start making up excuses for if Obama wins the state or declare it not winnable for him.

That said, I don't think Bayh was the Democrats only chance at winning, it's not like there are no choices at all. Ellsworth lost this year, but he still got 40%, so he does have a some support in his corner and could get crossover support. Indiana is open to supporting moderate Democrats like him.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Indeed they are. But honestly Pence would destroy Ellsworth.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Getting ready to challenge Obama, presumably.

Are you kidding? Bayh would stand no chance against Obama whatsoever and have less than a 1% shot of winning. Primarying someone requires enthusiasm and base support on your side, Bayh is loathed by the base, is a perpetual whiner, and basically abandoned the Democrats when they needed him most. The likelihood of an Obama primary challenge from him is zero.

[California8429]

Getting ready to challenge Obama, presumably.

I hope
1) for the primary drama/fun
2) I'd support him as the nominee over a few republican candidates even, and he'd be very open to working with all sides as a president

[politicalchick20]

Although it does seem like he won't run  because Pence would beat him (I think he could beat Skillman, though), I am willing to let the reasoning regarding his sons go for a few reasons:

1. His sons will be graduating high school in a few years. Given that he has been in office almost every year since they were born (in 1995, when he was still governor), I can understand that he wants to spend some time with them before they're out of the house.

2. Remember: his dad was in political office since before he was born, too. I'm sure he felt sometimes like he wanted more time with him growing up, and now he gets to make up for that with his own sons.

3. His mother died of breast cancer when he was in his early 20s. Seeing how short life can be probably influenced this decision concerning his sons even more.

4. He grew up an only child (although his dad remarried later and had another son), which I'm sure made numbers 2 and 3 harder. His sons may have each other, but I'm sure those other two reasons still brought this one to his mind, and again, influenced his decision.

I realize that I'm probably being WAY too sentimental or naive for you guys right now (such a girl--haha ), and that I've been WAY too forgiving towards him in the past (he being my first governor and my mad crush on him may have damaged my brain cells ), and I certainly have many of the same feelings towards him posted here, but I'm just saying, these could be considered legitimate reasons for his decision, too. Just saying.

[tmthforu94]

Skillman is out, health reason:
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG7ldAixNNBVUBYAlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEwZ3U2bzQ2BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA01TWUMwMDFfMTg3/SIG=12vqv5bg9/EXP=1293212864/**http%3a//www.journalgazette.net/article/20101221/LOCAL08/312219989/-1/local11

Governor-elect Pence, here we come!

[feeblepizza]

Governor-elect Pence, here we come!

^^^^^^^