Bayh in New Hampshire

Sen Bayh spent a couple of days, for no particular reason of course, in New Hampshire this weekend...

Here's some reviews...

BIG TURN OUT FOR BRUNCH WITH BAYH

CONCORD, N.H. U.S. Senator Even Bayh (D), Indiana was given a warm welcome from the New Hampshire Young Democrats (NHYD) this morning at the Portsmouth home of Justin Nadeau, where Bayh was the guest of honor for their NHYD Speaker Series. Senator Bayh mingled and discussed politics in a room of over 50 young Democrats that gathered to meet him over brunch.

"I am thrilled with the turn out for this event," said Gray Chynoweth, president of the NHYD. "We originally planned on a group of about 15-20 people, and to see over 50 young Democrats here today just speaks to the growth of our organization and our commitment to staying involved in New Hampshire?s future ."

Bayh, who started his career in politics as a young Democrat and was elected Governor of Indiana at age 32, noted that he appreciated the enthusiasm and involvement of New Hampshire's young people in the political process.

"I'm just so delighted that you're here and as active as you are," Bayh remarked as he began the informal, town hall style discussion. "The future of this county, where we're going, how we're going to get there -- you've got more at stake in the direction that your state and this country takes than anybody else."

Senator Bayh touched upon his views on foreign policy, funding education and healthcare, leaving most of the time free for an informal question and answer session. The senator also reflected on his own experiences as a young Democrat, noting that it was much like a 'walk down memory lane' for him.

And...

In third trip to NH in a year, Bayh makes his case
PORTSMOUTH, March 26 – Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) said the likely discussion this week in the Senate over censuring President Bush does not help what should be the priority in among his party leaders: electing more Democrats in November.

Hearings into censuring Bush “only plays into Karl Rove’s hands” Bayh told a house party of mainly liberal leaning Democratic activists in Portsmouth. “If you want real change to President Bush’s policies we have to whoop ‘em in November.”
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To activists like George McQuilken, of Portsmouth, the most important characteristic of any Democratic candidate is electibility. And the argument that he was the most electible, was what Bayh stressed the most.

Bayh brought out pictures showing how his home state of Indiana voted overwhelmingly for President Bush in 2004, but also overwhelmingly for him.

and...

Sen. Bayh tells Democrats he backs current primary
MANCHESTER – U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat from Indiana who is widely seen as a probable Presidential candidate, yesterday threw his support behind keeping New Hampshire's Presidential primary the way it is.
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Bayh made clear yesterday he wants things to stay as they are — with no other contests between Iowa and New Hampshire.

"I hope you retain your position. I'm going to do everything I can to keep it that way," said Bayh. His words were greeted with a standing ovation from the partisan crowd of about 150.
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At the Manchester event, Bayh, whose father also served as a senator from Indiana, presented himself as a Democrat who could beat a Republican on a national scale. Bayh has done that repeatedly in the Hoosier State, one of the most Republican states in America.

A two-term U.S. senator, Bayh also served as Indiana's governor.

To back up his talk, Bayh laid out his positions on national security matters, the federal budget and trade policy, among other issues. He said it is important to have an honest debate about trade in America.

and...

Sen. Bayh tests presidential waters

PORTSMOUTH - U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., may not be an official presidential candidate, but he certainly sounded like one Sunday.

The son of Birch Bayh - who lost his bid for the Democratic nomination to Jimmy Carter in 1976 - brought his anti-partisanship "we can do better" message to fellow Democrats at two Port City gatherings.
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"We’re part of a filtering system to weed out bad candidates," said Peter Somssich of the Portsmouth Democrats.

"I hope I don’t get weeded," Bayh responded. "Pruned a little, but not weeded."

Bayh recalled the last time he was in Portsmouth 30 years ago as a 20-year-old college student going door-to-door to campaign for his father.

"That’s when I was bitten by the (political) bug."
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"He has said he’s thinking of running for president, and he knows how important New Hampshire is," said his communications director, Dan Pfeiffer, who added that no announcements would be likely until after the midterm elections.

Former Port City Mayor Robert Shaines came to listen to Bayh and "size him up" as a candidate.

"It’s obvious he’s very experienced as a speaker," Shaines said. "He’s very charismatic."