Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) vs Evan Bayh (D-Ind)

[Storebought]

Suppose both parties nominate their absolute safest choices for 2008, to avoid political nuclear winter (i.e. McCain vs. Hillary!)

Smith is chosen b/c he's a conservative who plays well to libertarians and right-leaning moderates, unlike Frist, Allen, Jeb, etc. And he has good hair.

Bayh is chosen because, well, Democrats keep repeating his name so often for some reason.

You know the rest (maps, partisan trollery, etc.)

[WalterMitty]

no contest.  gordon smith is far superior.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It'd be a good year for 3rd parties.

[Rob]

Smith, of course. It's about time an Oregonian became President, damn it! Here's a little map:



Smith wins 274-264.

[skybridge]

Yeah, we'd have some moderately charismatic choices with this one. Smith would definitely appeal to the religious right whereas Bayh would appeal to most other rational thinking people. Depending on how well Bayh can counter that with a populist message determines how easily he wins.

What sort of connections does Smith have? Other than being the presumed GOP nominee which interest sectors would donate money to him other than the religious right?

[Alcon]

Why would Smith appeal to the religious right?  He's both pro-gay rights and anti-death penalty.  I admire him greatly.  Evan Bayh, too, for that matter.  It would be a hard decision for me, but I'd be happy either way.

[opebo]

Bayh - 332
Smith - 206

[True Democrat]

Bayh - 332
Smith - 206

I really doubt Bayh could get over 40% in Nebraska.

[FerrisBueller86]

Bayh - 332
Smith - 206

I really doubt Bayh could get over 40% in Nebraska.

According to the article on the 10 regions, Nebraska and Indiana are part of the same region - Farmland.  Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota are 100% Farmland.  Nebraska is nearly all Farmland - only the western panhandle is a different region, Sagebrush.  So Bayh could appeal to these other states as well.  Of course, a lot depends on how well he comes across.  If he looks wimpy or puts voters to sleep, he's toast.

[skybridge]

Why would Smith appeal to the religious right?  He's both pro-gay rights and anti-death penalty.  I admire him greatly.  Evan Bayh, too, for that matter.  It would be a hard decision for me, but I'd be happy either way.

Just read his CV! It's full of religious stuff.

[minionofmidas]

A religious does not make a religious right, though, and Gordon Smith is one of the most moderate Republican Senators. Even though he's a Mormon from Eastern Oregon. (Plus he's actually a relative of the democratic Udall clan.)
Can you say Tweedledum vs Tweedledee?

[skybridge]

A religious does not make a religious right, though, and Gordon Smith is one of the most moderate Republican Senators. Even though he's a Mormon from Eastern Oregon. (Plus he's actually a relative of the democratic Udall clan.)
Can you say Tweedledum vs Tweedledee?

All I said was that he might APPEAL to the religious right more than Evan Bayh.

[jokerman]

no contest.  gordon smith is far superior.

Well, you're always wrong.  With beliefs like populism is for idiots and such you're out of touch with the majority of the American people so it really dosen't matter what you say.

[Democratic Hawk]

A religious does not make a religious right, though, and Gordon Smith is one of the most moderate Republican Senators. Even though he's a Mormon from Eastern Oregon. (Plus he's actually a relative of the democratic Udall clan.)
Can you say Tweedledum vs Tweedledee?

All I said was that he might APPEAL to the religious right more than Evan Bayh.

According to the CNN, Indiana exit poll: Bayh attracted the support of 33% of Indiana's white conservative Protestants (28% of the electorate) and 45% of white evangelical/'born-agains' (35% of the electorate). He received the support of 57% of Protestants (69% of the total electorate). So, in national race, he has the potential to appeal to such groups

I can't seem to find any like-exit poll data for Smith in 2002 - but if he's pro-gay rights and anti-death penality, a candidate from the Religious Right could potentially emerge to Smith's right

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

no contest.  gordon smith is far superior.

I wouldn't be so dismissive of Bayh. Could your problem be that he is the candidate many Republicans dread in 2008?

Dave

[Erc]

Bayh v. No-Name Oregonian ?


Bayh wins.  (Unless he really is that uncharismatic)

[Ronald Reagan]

Bayh - 261
Gordon - 277

[Alcon]

Bayh - 261
Gordon - 277

I personally doubt Bayh would lose WA...but it would be somewhat close. And why do you have Bayh losing his homestate? Against a libertarian like Gordon, I think Indiana would be pretty solid for Bayh.

[bgwah]

I don't know much about Smith, although he's supposedly one of the more liberal Republicans. I remember he voted against opening the ANWR, so at least I know he's an environmentalist (He is from Oregon, after all!).

I might vote for him, just because he isn't that bad and I could say I voted Republican at least once.





And...did I just see George Nethercutt is someone's signature???
*vomits*

[Ronald Reagan]

Bayh - 261
Gordon - 277

I personally doubt Bayh would lose WA...but it would be somewhat close. And why do you have Bayh losing his homestate? Against a libertarian like Gordon, I think Indiana would be pretty solid for Bayh.

I just don't see Bayh winning Indiana.  He would probably be able to pull off 44% of the vote in Indiana.

[Lincoln Republican]

no contest.  gordon smith is far superior.

I wouldn't be so dismissive of Bayh. Could your problem be that he is the candidate many Republicans dread in 2008?

Dave

As a Republican, I must agree with Democratic Hawk. 

I believe Bayh's appeal, as a moderate, would keep the Democratic base intact, more or less, while at the same time, appealing to many moderate Republican and independent voters who would normally side with the GOP candidate.

Bayh is not some raving left wing looney fruitcake (which by the way are in abundance in the Democratic Party), who would drive moderate voters into the open arms of the GOP.  Quite the contrary, Bayh would have appeal to such moderate voters. 

I believe Bayh would indeed be a formidable contender in 2008, if he wins the Democratic Presidential nomination.

In all honesty, as much as I like Gordon Smith, I would have to pick Bayh to win this match up.

[Rob]

Bayh v. No-Name Oregonian ?

Whoa, hold on. Bayh is very well known on the Forum; not so much in reality. You could just as easily say "Smith vs. No-Name Indianan", and it would be just as accurate. In any case, name recognition won't matter in the end.

[Cashcow]

Bayh v. No-Name Oregonian ?

Whoa, hold on. Bayh is very well known on the Forum; not so much in reality. You could just as easily say "Smith vs. No-Name Indianan", and it would be just as accurate. In any case, name recognition won't matter in the end.

A lot of my older friends remember his father quite well, if that counts for anything.

[Rob]

His father was nationally known, as one of the liberal stalwarts who went down to defeat during the "Reagan Revolution". I don't think the average voter today (outside of Indiana) has any knowledge of the Bayh name.

[12th Doctor]

Why would Smith appeal to the religious right?  He's both pro-gay rights and anti-death penalty.  I admire him greatly.  Evan Bayh, too, for that matter.  It would be a hard decision for me, but I'd be happy either way.

Smith would appeal to the religious right because Skybridge has no idea what he is talking about.  That's why.