Share Your Views on Evan Bayh: Pro and Con. . .

Word has reached me that at Barack Obama's Hawaii retreat, Evan Bayh's chances to find himself the next Democratic VP candidate have moved to better than 50/50.

The conflict between Georgia and Russia has been one of several factors that has helped boost his status. Bayh's support of the Iraq War and general hawkishness are seen by some as a balance to Obama's call for a new and different kind of global engagement strategy that McCain's followers consider naive.

I could make a case why Bayh might make sense for the Obama ticket -- but it would be an intellectual case based on regional politics and an olive branch to some Hillary Clinton supporters, not one of passion. Recently, I wrote about Birch Bayh, Evan's magnificent father, the other day who has led on women's rights, civil rights, and civil liberties protections in ways that Evan, the son, hasn't come close to matching.

But just stating that the son doesn't yet fill the shoes of the father won't seriously handicap Bayh in Barack Obama's estimation.

So, i want to open the door to others to share their views.

In a constructive, civil manner, share with readers -- and with the Obama campaign -- why you think Evan Bayh SHOULD NOT BE or SHOULD BE Senator Obama's running mate.

What turns you on? What turns you off? Again, be civil, please.

I'll start with my own:

1. Why Bayh Should Not Be VP -- In contrast to his indefatigable, passionate, and legislatively masterful father, Evan Bayh's approach to policy and politics comes off as flat and squeezes the air, sizzle, and enthusiasm out of the Obama balloon -- a balloon that has already been deflating somewhat as Michael Tomasky conveyed in the Washington Post this last Sunday.

Look forward to your views pro and con. . .

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[Danny]

I agree with Michael Moore that Caroline Kennedy would make the perfect V.P. for Obama.

[Brotherbook]

I loved Birch Bayh, and I am sure Evan would carry on his father's unfulfilled legacy. But anybody other than Sam Nunn of Georgia as Obama's running mate would be a big mistake. Obama needs a certain amount of adult supervision, and who better to offer it than Senator Nunn, surely one of the great public servants of the past fifty years. All of us could get behind that ticket, especially those of us who believe international politics is getting more and more complicated. Nunn has the gravitas and the intelligence to add greatly to the democratic ticket. I hope Obama chooses wisely.

[ProudDemocrat85]

While I think that Nunn certainly has some pluses, he also has some minuses. He has a conservative record that makes Bayh look liberal, not to mention that he was in office for a very, very long time, and plently can be taken from that, whether it's potential shady deals with lobbyists, his voting record, etc. The same can be said with Biden. Besides, he's an older fellow, who probably won't run for President in 2016. I think Obama needs another fresh, yet experienced face.

[speranza]

Obama, Bayh = Bye, bye!!! that's for sure!

[guitrock]

Any strengths that Bayh has are exceeded by those of Hillary Clinton. She is more of a fighter and would bring in a lot more votes than Bayh. I tend to agree with the post above that Bayh is not a "heavyweight" but more of a "grinning empty suit." I think Bayh would make for a lackluster fall campaign, and the only strong point I perceive is the advantage Obama would gain in Indiana. Hillary Clinton would be a good choice, and certainly a far better one than Bayh.

I think Wesley Clark would be his best bet. Obama needs a fighter. He has been derelict in taking a bunch of nonsense and personal attacks from the McCain camp. He made a stupid mistake by not embracing General Clark's attack on McCain's judgment and competency to be president. He chose instead to praise McCain, who has no compunction whatever to return the favor. Obama risks defeat in November in large part because he is reluctant to fight back and seriously point out McCain's lack of good judgment. Obama needs a person proven in foreign policy. You can talk about Biden, Sam Nunn, or the rest of the so-called foreign policy experts. But why not go with General Clark, the real expert in the field and who, given the chance, would eviscerate any perceived foreign policy advantage of the McCain camp. Clark is all straight talk, intelligent, right on the money. Go with him.

[ProudDemocrat85]

For those of you who think Bayh will only be able to help in Indiana, you're wrong. Half of my family is from the region (Ohio), and I will tell you what, Bayh will appeal to folks in the entire rust belt. Besides, if he only helps in Indiana, that's enough to win the election. 270 is the target.

[ProudDemocrat85]

In the end, this is the son of legendary U.S. Senator Birch Bayh, who is responsible for a wide array of accomplishments, which include: passing of Title IX to the Higher Education Act, which gave women equal opportunities in sports and academics in public education; the principal architect of two constitutional amendments, the 25th Amendment, which established the rules for presidential succession and disability and the 26th Amendment, which lowered the minimum voting age to 18; and he was also the principal Senate sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which passed both Houses of Congress, but was not ratified by the states. Evan Bayh will NOT let you all down, I am absolutely sure of this.
OBAMA/BAYH 08! If you want to win it, this is the ticket!

[ProudDemocrat85]

-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Environment America 80 percent in 2008.
-Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to
-Children's -Defense Fund's position, Senator Bayh received a rating of 100.
-In 2008 Citizens for Global Solutions gave Senator Bayh a grade of B.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the American Nurses Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007.

-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 95 percent in 2007.

-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 90 percent in 2007.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent in 2006.
-2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Bayh a grade of B+.
-In 2007 The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law gave Senator Bayh a grade of A.
-In 2007 American Association of University Women gave Senator Bayh a grade of 100.
As you can see, that's a pretty solid Democratic voting record, one that's relatively close to Obama's. Please take note of the rating given by the Americans for Democratic Action, a Liberal interest group. 95 percent.

[ProudDemocrat85]

As a U.S. Senator, he has fought for the same things that he fought for as Governor, while also acquiring foreign policy experience. He has made some mistakes, like voting to invade Iraq, which he has repeatedly said that he regrets, and that he wouldn't vote for again. But, Biden voted the same way in 2003, and made similar comments.
His most recent interest group ratings are as follows:
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=22418
-In 2007, NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Bayh a grade of 100.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Citizens for Tax Justice 80 percent in 2005-2006.
-In 2007, American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Bayh a grade of 86.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 12 percent in 2007
-In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator Bayh a grade of A.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the National Employment Lawyers Association 100 percent in 2007.
-Senator Bayh supported the interests of the Campaign for America's Future 100 percent in 2005-2006 on energy legislation.

[ProudDemocrat85]

Bayh brings to the ticket EVERYTHING that Obama lacks, while injecting steroids into Obama's strengths.
Name another Democrat that has won FIVE TIMES in a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat for President since 1964. Bayh was first elected as Sec. of State of Indiana in 1986, where he served one term. In 1988, the year where Dukakis got creamed, Bayh was elected Governor of Indiana, the first Democrat to hold that position for over two decades, and was easily re-elected in 1992, and broke the record of number of votes out of any candidate for Governor in Indiana history. He served until 1996, when he was term-limited, and had an approval rating of 80%. Then, in 1998, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, and was re-elected with a larger percentage of the vote than George W. Bush.
During his tenure as Governor, he focused on job creation, workers' rights, fiscal responsibility, improving public education, improving Indiana's environmental quality, keeping taxes low, moving people from welfare to work, etc, etc. It worked. By the end of his two terms, he created over 350,000 new jobs, balanced eight different budgets, cut middle class taxes, re-introduced collective bargaining in the workplace, created the largest budget surplus in Indiana history, improved Indiana's educational and environmental quality, dramatically reduced welfare roles, etc, etc. One his is self-professed accomplishments is providing free college tuition to any low-income student that pledges to not use illegal drugs.

[Bearymore]

If we wanted to see a pro-war DLC operative nominated for VP, we should be beating the hustings for Hillary Clinton. At least she's a skillful politician. Not only does Bayh represent the corporate status quo, he has miserable political skills. How the punditocracy would love to spin a VP candidate who seems to be opposed to Obama's anti-war stance and is a pro free trade Republicrat.

[cbm17]

too conservative, way too milchetoas­t...would hurt Obama's ground game as liberals would be less likely to volunteer, would only help in Indiana...­.a bad choice and I hope he doesn't get picked.

[tcolgan001]

Why is Obama even considering a war supporter like Evan Bayh as VP candidate?

Not only did Bayh vote in favor of the Iraq War Resolution (authorizing Bush to go to war), he co-sponsored it!!!

See
http://washingtonindependent.com/view/evan-bayh-co

[LisaJeanM]

Here's a link to B a y h 's great debate performance on Face the Nation:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4356491n

[ProudDemocrat85]

Yeah, I recorded that on my dvr. It was a great performace on the part of Evan Bayh. He mopped up Pawlenty quick status, while also jabbing McCain for not denouncing that horrible book written by Corsi.

[akg96]

Americans loves a candidate who's a liars because liars are fired up enough to be out of integrity. Nice guys are seen as fearful & not Presidential. Go for the jugular & aim to "kill". Be like McCain how he's lighthearted while being rude & insulting. It's what we know as Americans. We love a fighter who will not tolerate failure especially because we as individuals do it everyday! That's what "Major Leaguers" do - they are ready to play hardball with anybody, including the worst of world tyrants & bullies who are pure-evil. Can we live through another Gore or Kerry type campaign? NO! Too late for that - it didn't work. Going to the middle is a fools game - don't believe in that fearful loser thinking. They'll be thugs, & cheaters & liars, & people who seen to work for the Devil him/herself! Enjoy the process like a winner would. Nice don't "kut" it! All's fair in love & war, & this is the time to love the "war" of politics, or be defeated again, & again. God bless America! May freedom live & the middle-class & democrasy thrive here & abroad.

[akg96]

I'd feel most comfortable knowing that Obama can more easily focus on domestic politcy thereby turning this country around from the inside out, while Biden's vast knowledge of foreign affairs/etc. would be on guard over the whole world. I can see it: Obama/Biden, but not Obama/Bayh or Obama/Kaine (the MAN who owns American women's bodies). Not that anyone couldn't work out well with Obama, when he fights like a mad Bull Dog tooth & nail against the "moderate", sic., Repugned-can McBush, or rather McCain. Being nice & intelligent just don't show the fire, the drive that Americans want in a Commander in Chief. No "egghead" that nobody get's fired up about. The candidate could be someone else, like from Kansas or Montana - I don't know. But B. Bayh is a D.L.C. (Democratic Leaders Conference) middle of the road bore who didn't have the obvious common sense that people like myself did when he supported the stupid war! What next, think positive about Putin & the Russian politician­s/murderer­s? Are we waking up yet? If Obama really wants to win, he better get fired up & in the news here on out! No wussie-man who honors McCain's war history, but focus on his Post Tramatic Shock mental fogginess, hypocrisy, & negatives. Rip him with whatever.