Brad Ellsworth Running For Bayh's Senate Seat In Indiana

The Washington Post:

Indiana Rep. Brad Ellsworth has decided to seek the seat being vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh and will announce his intentions in a statement to be released shortly, according to a source briefed on the matter.

Ellsworth emerged as the favored candidate of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the White House in the immediate aftermath of Bayh's stunning decision that he would not seek a third term.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post

Comments

[ChrisVan8]

12:37 PM on 02/19/2010

It's a moot right now anyway. All Ellsworth can do is say 'sure I'm interested.' But the Democratic party can't name a selection until after the party primary. And that's not until May 20th I believe.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100219/NEWS05/2190342/Democrats-choice-is-on-hold

[TeeLolly]

12:33 PM on 02/19/2010

Something tells me that this was planned all along, and Bayh waited until the last minute to ensure the appointment of a blue dog rather than risk a primary in which a progressive could win. Something tells me Rahm's fingerprints are all over this.

So much for the principles of "representative democracy" ...

[drudgeman1]

12:27 PM on 02/19/2010

He looks like another Blagojevich...

[TeamSarah4CHOICE]

12:15 PM on 02/19/2010

John Cougar Mellencamp for Senate

[DinkSinger]

12:26 PM on 02/19/2010

Mr. Mellencamp hates the name Cougar, which he stopped using almost twenty years ago. If folks really want him to accept a draft they should at least show a little respect.

[apresdeluge]

12:15 PM on 02/19/2010

Anyone want to bet that Bayh goes to work for WellPoint? His wife already sits on their Board. I wonder just how much she had to do with the 39% premium incresases in CA.

[ChrisVan8]

12:34 PM on 02/19/2010

Bayh may end up as a lobbyist, but I doubt he's dumb enough to end up up at WellPoint.

But here are some good pics from a protest outside WellPoint's Indy office yesterday. My congressman Andre Carson (7th district) showed up in support. He's been fighting for health reform since day one, WITH a public option. So give him some love. Thanks Andre!

http://twitpic.com/photos/FOX59ChrisVan

[blinkthink]

12:32 PM on 02/23/2010

Very little-Wellpoint/Anthem can do evil all by themselves. I speak from first hand experience. I laugh when Repugs say buy across state lines-Wellpoint is in 14 states! They're fighting in court in Maine to raise premiums, California is not their only huge increases. People can count on getting the increases everywhere they do business. They lost a lot of members due to job loss, so facing likely reform, they are going to stick people with their increases now.
As people drop coverage, unable to afford it, that drives the cost up even more. The near depression has driven an unsustainable situation toward meltdown even faster.
As I write this, the news just stated Angela Braly (CEO) will testify before Congress. Investigation has found more than 700 violations by the company.

[HoosierRadical]

12:12 PM on 02/19/2010

Ellsworth? I guess Barron Hill refuses to kiss Evan's butt. Here is a hint Ellsworth, in order to win, the people in Indianapolis have to know and get behind you, being known for voting against the president's agenda will not endear you to them. No democrat can win without Indianapolis NO DEMOCRAT!

[rosiebond007]

12:05 PM on 02/19/2010

The Dem machine better get busy and get someone in there - or persuade Evan to hold the seat again.

[ChrisVan8]

12:35 PM on 02/19/2010

Indiana can do better than Evan Bayh

[blinkthink]

01:17 PM on 02/23/2010

Thank you-fanned!

[TheFriendlyAtheist]

12:05 PM on 02/19/2010

So the White House's pick for Sen. of In. is a guy who voted against the President's stimulus plan?
Of course Evan had it planned all along that he would retire at this time so no progressive would have a chance to run, and maybe win, against another blue dog.
Somethings really fishy here. Why would Obama want a blue dog instead of a progressive in In. and why did he try to stop a true progressive from running in Pen.?

[TeamSarah4CHOICE]

12:09 PM on 02/19/2010

hmm... I think something is fishy with Bayh. Why did he only give 24 hour warning that he would not seek re-election ... Someone has SOMETHING on Bayh that made him jump out of the race ...

I remember back in April 2009 when Bayh was AGAINST HC reform - then all the facts came out about his wife & the millions they both made from insurance companies & Bayh immediately BACKED OFF of being against reform ... hmmmm ... that coupled with his less than 24 hour decision to not run for re-election has a smell ... a distinct odor about it.

[TeeLolly]

12:28 PM on 02/19/2010

I keep trying to convince myself that I'm wrong, but this "bipartisanship" bit (aka caving) seems almost more important to Obama than his immediate agenda, and another blue dog will "reach across the aisle" more than a progressive.

Obama seems to think that once he gets the Rethugs to play the "bipartisanship" game (and he does really think they eventually will, no matter how many times they kick him in the face), he will then be able to proceed with his agenda and at that point, will be unstoppable.

The only problem is that to prevail on issue after issue using "bipartisanship," Obama will have to water down his agenda quite a bit ...

[henrypapillon]

12:03 PM on 02/19/2010

Go Brad.

[cybersense]

11:55 AM on 02/19/2010

He better have posed for a centerfold if he want to win, right? (wink)

[jalowe1957]

09:30 AM on 02/19/2010

Evan Bayh gave Hoosiers Brad Ellsworth as his revenge.

[rougebaisers]

06:14 AM on 02/19/2010

Ooooohhh. Are those little dollar signs I see in his eyes?

[pointyheadprodigy]

11:54 PM on 02/18/2010

So, no change in the quality of representation at all, huh?

[jerryatthebeach]

08:34 PM on 02/18/2010

All though I am a centrist Republican and do what I can for my party. I think any relpacement for Evan Bayh would be great.

[CAHertzfe]

03:35 PM on 02/18/2010

Voted against providing federal funds for embryonic stem cell research
Voted for State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Voted for the Stupak Amendment.

Top 5 Contributing Industries

Industry Total Indivs PACs
Building Trade Unions $21,500 $0 $21,500
Agricultural Services/Products $14,628 $0 $14,628
Defense Aerospace $12,500 $0 $12,500
Health Professionals $12,125 $1,125 $11,000
Leadership PACs $12,000 $0 $12,000

[wiseapple]

11:54 AM on 02/19/2010

Well, it looks like some healthcare professionals like him?