Confessions of a Hoosier Democrat

Faking Iowa Nice...

2007-12-18T13:24:00.002-05:00

Two days after Bill Clinton made this comment:

"If you listen to the people who are most strongly for him, they say basically, 'We have to throw away all these experienced people, because they have been through the wars of the nineties,'" Clinton said in an interview on PBS' The Charlie Rose show. "'They made enough decisions and enough calls that they made a few mistakes, and what we want is someone who started running for president a year after he became a senator because he's fresh, he's new, he's never made a mistake. And he has massive political skills, and we're willing to risk it.'"

Asked later in the interview if he thought voters would be "rolling the dice about America" if they elect Obama president, Clinton did not outright disagree, saying, "It's less predictable."

In their every continuing attempt to fake Iowa Nice, Bill Clinton then backtracked today and said:

...he seemed to say Barack Obama is too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief, but the former president told CNN Tuesday that's not what he meant to suggest.

“I am trying to say that I agree with what the Des Moines Register said that Hillary has the best record of positive change making in other people’s lives, and I think it is important and I think that this is why they endorsed her,” the former president told CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.

“I bragged on all of them," he continued. "Sen. Obama, Sen. Edwards, all of them — I like them, I think she has the best record of making change in other people's lives in the most different circumstances and I think that's very important for the next president.”

Bill... I love you man... and I appreciate you're trying to help out your wife... but really, you're not.

Opportunity Knocks

2007-12-12T15:07:00.001-05:00

And Hillary answers... (and by "Hillary" I mean her campaign)

Couple of notable opportunistic events today...

First... You may or may not have heard about the young lady who worked for KBR in Iraq. She claims she was confined against her will (can you be confined willingly?) and repeatedly raped by employees of KBR and that KBR is covering it up. Her congressman, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, has been all over the State Department trying to get some accountability because as we all know, KBR has no checks on it in Iraq. Army doctors did a rape kit on her but it magically disappeared after it was turned over to KBR security (WHAT?!?!?!). Two years later and the State Department can't even confirm that there's an investigation going on, much less anyone is considering charges against the animals that did it... Well she can rest easy now... because Hillary is calling for an investigation now! Phew. I'm sure Congressman Poe is wondering why Hillary is suddenly so interested in the case... Maybe it's because it's 3 weeks before the caucuses.

Secondly... Hillary's co-chair of NH is saying that Barrack's admission to using drugs as a kid will open him up for attack. Personally I believe the general public is a bit more intelligent than to fall for those kinds of attacks, but even if they are... Umm... Excuse me... Pot, Kettle, Black? Hillary is open for FAR more completely-baseless attacks than Barrack... Whitewater, Vince Foster, Travelgate, blah blah blah. Barrack's candor on the issue is at the least refreshing. How many people rolled their eyes when Bill said "I didn't inhale..." What did Barrack say? "Of course I inhaled... that was the point." At best it gives him credibility when he talks about drugs to kids. "I've been there, I know."

Welcome back...

2007-12-03T12:03:00.000-05:00

Yeah I know it's been a long time... I've been tied up with other things and life in general but as the primary season is drawing nearer the political juices are stirred in me once again.

As many of you may know I am supporting Sen Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination. Why? I can actually rather vividly remember the moment I came to conclusion that Sen Obama was the right choice. I was standing in the shower and I was thinking about what is important in a President. And I'm not really talking about issues here. I mean seriously, do any of the candidates really differ that incredibly much from each other issues-wise? So... what does matter?

The ability to lead.
The ability to inspire.
The ability to bring other people to you.

I thought about who was the last person to inspire me... Did I like John Kerry? Sure... how about Al Gore... yeah I liked him too... But they didn't evoke a passion from me... I didn't sit there and think "Wow... this guy's got it." I DO remember thinking that while watching the '92 Convention watching "A Man From Hope." And then I thought... Yeah... it's him. The last time I felt that was was 2004... Barack Obama's Convention speech.

I remember thinking that in Late December/Early January. So when Sen Obama did announce, I was in his corner.

So... that's where I'm coming from... If you don't like what I have to say, feel free to disagree.

Biden steps on it again...

2007-01-31T17:00:00.001-05:00

Is there anyone in the Democratic Party who steps on it more often than Joe Biden? Last year you had him crowing about how the Indian population in Delaware was growing by leaps and bounds:

In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.

Now you have him "complimenting" Sen Obama...

I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.

As opposed to all those dimwitted, dirty African-Americans who couldn't speak right and were ugly...

Seriously Joe...

Leading with actions, not words

2007-01-31T17:00:00.000-05:00

Actions, not words. Sen Obama understands that the American people want action out of Washington, not just words. Yesterday he stood before the US Senate and introduced a bold new plan.

The time for waiting in Iraq is over. The days of our open-ended commitment must come to a closed. The need to bring this war to an end is here. That's why today I'm introducing "The Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007". This act would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, more importantly it would begin a phased re-deployment of US forces with the goal of removing all US combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008.

Sen Obama understand that bold words never accomplished anything. Bold action, or shall I say, audacity, is the key.

Exposing Fox News for who they are...

2007-01-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

If anyone wasn't convinced that Fox News is biased towards the right wing they have to look no further than their coverage of the Obama/Madrassa lie.

First "reported" at Insightmag.com (which is owned by the right-leaning Washington Times) the story was that Obama went to school at a madrassa in Jakarta when he was 6. The InsightMag.com story went on to say that Hillary Clinton's campaign is the one who dug up the information.

Now... rather than do the responsible thing and check out the story, like CNN and ABCNews did, they'd have found out that there was nothing unusual to the school Obama attended. "When I was six, I attended an Indonesian public school where a bunch of the kids were Muslim, because the country is 90 percent Muslim," Obama told ABC's Chicago affiliate.

But no... Here's the transcript of Fox&Friends:

DOOCY: Why didn’t anybody ever mention that that man right there was raised — spent the first decade of his life, raised by his Muslim father — as a Muslim and was educated in a madrassa?

[snip]

DOOCY: We should also point out that Barack Obama’s father is the one who gave him the middle name of Hussein. And the thing about the madrassa, and you know, let’s just be honest about this, in the last number of years, madrassas have been, we’ve learned a lot about them, financed by Saudis, they teach this Wahhabism which pretty much hates us. The big question is was that on the curriculum back then? Probably not, but it was a madrassa and the big question is whether or not any of these revelations about the fact that he was a Muslim — right now I understand he does go to the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, although not a regular parishioner — but raised as a Muslim, went to a madrassa.

[snip]

DOOCY: Is it ancient history or do you think madrassa matters. [phone ringing] Josh joins us from Colorado. Good morning to you Josh.

CALLER: What’s up?

DOOCY: What do you think?

CALLER: I think that ultimately this will probably be one of the main reasons is he not elected.

DOOCY: Just the fact that his father was a Muslim, he was raised as a Muslim for awhile, and went to a madrassa school in Jakarta?

CALLER: Right. I mean, you think that would possibly give him better insight on the enemy, maybe he doesn’t consider terrorists the enemy.

KILMEADE: Well, we’ll see about that. Yeah, Josh says that.

[snip]

CALLER: Hi, good morning. Yes, I think it does matter. The fact that he omitted it must mean that he feels that somebody is going to have an opinion. And President Bush certainly comes under scrutiny, so why shouldn’t he?

KILMEADE: Well, he didn’t admit it. I mean that’s the issue.

CARLSON: Well she said he didn’t.

KILMEADE: Says he didn’t come out, and I was over in Indonesia for five years, or roughly five years, went to a madrassa and there is some reports that Wahhabism was the curriculum there, which is a problem because they start with “We hate America” and work their way back from there.

DOOCY: Well, the way it was framed in one of his biographies, he said, “I was sent first,” this is in Indonesia, “to a catholic school and then to a predominantly Muslim school.” He doesn’t say, “I went to a madrassa, where they taught Wahhabism.” He simply says, “I went to a predominantly Muslim school.”

CARLSON: Alright, Jim from Alabama, what do you think?

DOOCY: Jim?

CALLER: Yeah.

CARLSON: What do you think?

CALLER: I think a Muslim would be fine in the presidency, better than Hillary. At least you know what the Muslims are up to. [Laughter]

CARLSON: We want to be clear, too, that this isn’t all Muslims, of course, we would only be concerned about the kind that want to blow us up.

Later in the day Fox News host John Gibson also parroted the same story:

JOHN GIBSON, HOST: The gloves are off: Hillary Clinton is reported to be already digging up the dirt on Barack Obama.

The New York senator has reportedly outed Obama's madrassa past. That's right, the Clinton team is reported to have pulled out all the stops to reveal something Obama would rather you didn't know: that he was educated in a Muslim madrassa.

I was criticized on this show for outing Obama as a smoker, but look at what some anti-Obama Democrats are doing to her political rival now. They are playing the Muslim phobia card.

Is this just the beginning? Is the Obama honeymoon officially over? What other dirty little secrets will come out as they battle it out in the race for the White House? With me now is Republican strategist Terry Holt.

Terry, this is appearing on a Web site today, Insight magazine, which is a subsidiary of The Washington Times. Here's the question. I'll put it up on the screen: Barack's madrassa past. He says that "during the five years that we would live with my stepfather in Indonesia, I was sent first to a neighborhood Catholic school and then to a predominately Muslim school." That's from his book, "The Audacity of Hope."

Now in the meantime, this is what Democrats are saying, according to Insight magazine. They're looking into his background. They're saying: He was a Muslim. He concealed it. His opponents within the Democrats hope this will become a major issue in the campaign.

Now, we have heard about dirty politics before. Republicans aren't involved in this one. What do you think about what's going on over there?

TERRY HOLT, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: John, the last time I checked, there was still a freedom of religion in this country. And this is either a despicable act by an absolutely ruthless Clinton political machine. We know that they are capable of doing this. But it wasn't directly linked to Hillary Clinton. If it wasn't her, then certainly she should disavow it because I think we have spent an awful lot of time in this country trying to tamp down anti-religious sentiments.

But you know, it's also, if you took a page out of the Clinton book and you are really shrewd and you were Barack Obama, you might want to put this out yourself so that you could deal with it early in the political campaign and get it over with. I don't know.

GIBSON: Let me show you what the press secretary to U.S. Senator Barack Obama said today in a statement about this story. They said: "The idea that Senator Barack Obama attended some radical Islamic school is completely ludicrous. Senator Obama is a committed Christian and attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago."

Nonetheless Terry, what damage does it do to Obama to have the word madrassa attached to his name?

HOLT: Well, I think that Barack Obama is such a white-hot political property right now that I'm not sure that it does any long-term damage. He may have to explain this, but, you know, Obama's story is unique to the political field at this point having been educated overseas.

I would also point out that a madrassa before it was politicized and really taken over by the fundamentalists primarily from Saudi Arabia, it was nothing more than a parochial school, and Barack Obama was in school 40 years ago. So I'm not sure that this is a campaign killer, but it does, I think, maybe put on him the burden of explanation, a little bit more about his bio.

GIBSON: Terry, this is a hotly contested race. Senator Clinton thought she had it in the bag and that she was the nominee already. He's made a surprise run at her. Does this give his team a warning of what sort of things are coming before he could possibly capture the nomination?

HOLT: Absolutely. You know, the Clinton team and the machine, make no mistake, it's still in place. They used to call themselves the masters of disaster. And if Barack Obama gets into the race against Clinton, I think that he can count on no small amount of disaster being forced upon him by running against one of the most effective and one of the most negative political machines ever assembled in this country.

But you know what? If you're going to run for president, you have to be prepared for everything and anything to be thrown at you, and in many ways voters are looking not so much for the facts about what you have done in your past, but really how do you handle it? Do you handle it with poise? Do you handle it with honesty and dignity? If he handles this well I'm not sure that this puts him in a corner he can't escape from.

GIBSON: Terry Holt on the madrassa bomb dropped on Barack Obama. Terry, thanks very much.

HOLT: Thanks, John.

Now that is outstanding journalism there... {Ed. Note: Sarcasm decoder rings are available in select boxes of Cracker Jacks.}

And he's out...

2006-12-19T17:44:00.000-05:00

Well... it seems no sooner than I posted my blog about Sen Bayh forming his exploratory committee... he announced he wasn't going to run.

During my two terms as Governor and now in the United States Senate, it has always been more about the people I was able to help than the job I held. As you know I have been exploring helping the people of my state and our country in a different capacity. After talking with family and friends over the past several days, I have decided that this is not the year for me to run for President and I will not be a candidate for the presidency in 2008. It wasn't an easy decision but it was the right one for my family, my friends and my state. I have always prided myself on putting my public responsibilities ahead of my own ambitions.

The odds were always going to be very long for a relatively unknown candidate like myself, a little bit like David and Goliath. And whether there were too many Goliaths or whether I'm just not the right David, the fact remains that at the end of the day, I concluded that due to circumstances beyond our control the odds were longer than I felt I could responsibly pursue. This path - and these long odds - would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation.

I am immensely grateful for the support of my family and friends and the thousands of people around the country who helped me with their time and their resources. There may be no campaign in the near future, but there is much work to be done. When the Senate returns, I will focus on the issues that matter to the people of my state and are critical to the future of the nation including reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating opportunity for middle class families, and implementing a national security strategy that is both tough and smart.

On one hand I'm extremely disappointed. I thought Sen Bayh was a great candidate and would have made a great president. That's the reason why I supported him from the start. On the other hand, we need to take a reality check. He's right... there were too many Goliaths. Confidence is one thing... bravado is another. As impressive as his all-star staff and huge bank account was, he couldn't compete with the star power that was sucking all of the oxygen out of the room. It was refreshing to see someone actually speak the truth rather than hide behind his family or other lame excuses. I can't win is what Bayh said.

So... the question then becomes... What happened? Just a few weeks ago Bayh announced the formation of his exploratory committee. What happened between then and now? Well no one has come out and say it, but I'll lend my speculation to the mix. Personally I think some of Bayh's financial backers looked around and saw the writing on the wall. Once Obama said he might run, Bayh's backers saw the opportunity and took him aside and told him that they were going to go with Obama if he ran. Once he saw his support dwindling, well that's the last thing he needed. He couldn't go down any further, he had to go up. And if he wasn't going to go up, well what's the point?

So... now what? Well I spent a few days thinking long and hard about what I wanted in a candidate. Who will best serve the country? Who will best promote the values that I hold? Who can win?

Each of us has to answer those questions for ourselves when deciding who we want to support in the upcoming primaries. I have my own opinion but I certainly welcome yours.

Combating Autism Act

2006-12-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

It is with great joy I am telling you that the Combating Autism Act was passed by Congress and sent to the President.

Yesterday, the Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA-10) asked the House of Representatives to suspend the rules and pass the bill by voice vote. The House did and passed it without objection. The Senate had passed it with a similar voice vote in August.

Tonight I sat down and personally sent messages thanking the sponsors from my state (Rep Mark Souder and Rep Julia Carson) and the primary sponsors of the bill (Sen Rick Santorum and Rep Mary Bono). I also sent a thank you note to Congressman Deal.

I also sent a message to President Bush asking him to quickly and publicly sign the bill to show that autism is indeed a national priority. I ask you to do the same.

And he's off...

2006-12-04T10:35:00.000-05:00

Well not really... but the news of the weekend was that Sen Bayh announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee on ABCNews "This Week with George Snuffalupagus". I thought it was even better that he did it on the same show that had a profile of Gov Vilsack... "Excuse me Governor Vilsack, I'll take some of that thunder..."

Bayh and Vilsack are quite similar... Bayh has all the credentials Vilsack has and then some... Bayh has more foreign affairs experience. Iowa is modelling their education program after Bayh's 21st Century Scholars program. Bayh has a ton of more money. Bayh has more homestate support. When asked who they wanted for president earlier this year, only 10% of Iowans said Vilsack. Vilsack said to Snuffy yesterday that it was because they didn't know him as a Presidential candidate yet... if I hadn't heard that line before I'm sure I would have snorted coffee out my nose laughing so hard.

Anyways... Bayh's off and running. He'll be in Iowa today... Go Bayh Go!

Five Questions with David Sanders

2006-11-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

David Sanders is the Democratic Candidate for the Indiana 4th Congressional district. David is an associate professor at Purdue University in the Biological Sciences Department specializing in biological weapons. David was a member of the Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention Program component of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program and a noted expert on the Ebola Virus.

Sanders is running against Rep Steve Buyer. Despite David's attempts to engage him, Buyer remains out of touch with his constituents. Buyer repeatedly refused to acknowledge David's attempts to debate him and hasn't even bothered to update his campaign website.

Despite being Chairman of the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and a Colonel in the Army Reserve, Buyer has repeatedly criticized by leading veterans organizations such as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and AMVets, who joined together to criticize Buyer for eliminating the House committee's involvement in hearing for the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

Dr. Sanders was kind enough to take time from his schedule to answer my Five Questions...

----

1> What is the most difficult thing about going up against a Seven-term Congressman?

There are two major hurdles that need to be overcome in this campaign.

The first is the advantage of incumbency. Congressman Buyer can receive free press whenever he desires. He has two common ploys. One is to appear at a press conference where the business of a campaign contributor, for example, a telecommunications company, makes some sort of announcement. The second is to sponsor a job fair.

The second strategy is related to another issue with incumbency. Congressman Buyer has accumulated campaign funds from corporate PACs. The most recent FEC filing indicates that he receives 80% of his contributions from PACs—the largest proportion for any Indiana Congressman. A large proportion of this money comes from corporate PACs such as those for the telecommunications and healthcare industries that have business in front of the committees upon which Steve Buyer serves. The core of the activity of Congress occurs in the Committees. Corporate PACs buy the influence of Committee members. Steve Buyer has been a master of this game. His activities at these press conferences resemble those of a lobbyist rather than those appropriate for a U.S. Congressman.

On this topic, I have pledged that I will not knowingly accept campaign contributions from individuals or corporate PACs who have business in front of the Committees upon which I serve. This is the way that I will preserve my independence.

The second hurdle is the nature of the district. It is the most gerrymandered in Indiana and stretches from Monticello to Mitchell south of Bedford. There is no unified media market, and the Indianapolis media are not inclined to cover the campaign extensively. The fact that American veterans from coast-to-coast and throughout the district overwhelmingly have an intense dislike for Congressman Buyer because of his assault on their benefits and arrogant treatment of them and the leaders of their veterans service organizations has received little coverage in the major media. The local newspapers with a few exceptions are generally quite fair in their discussion of the campaign and are performing an important service to their readers.

Congressman Buyer has refused to agree to any debates despite my invitation to him in June; he has not participated in a single forum and has refused an invitation from the media to participate in a debate.

The tactic upon which Congressman Buyer relies is to meet with constituents or attend events where he would be in contact with the public as little as possible. He is relying on his bet that if the voters of the 4th District don’t know anything about the candidates then they will likely vote for the Republican.

The mention of the seven terms that Steve Buyer has served in Congress serves as a reminder about another topic. Steve Buyer campaigned on a pledge to seek a twelve-year term limit for U.S. Representatives. Once the Republicans were entrenched in Congress, he seems to have forgotten about this pledge and has refused to act in a manner consistent with the principles he claimed to possess.

2> Despite being a Colonel in the US Army Reserve, Congressman Buyer has come under severe criticism from veteran's groups. What do you think is our country's obligation to our veterans?

Veterans benefits are earned, were promised, and should be guaranteed. It is a disgrace that a time when Americans are serving overseas that there has been an assault on veterans benefits. I have endorsed the New GI Bill for the 21st Century, which endeavors to correct some of these injustices. General and President George Washington stated, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by
their country.”

I have focused attention on the mental health needs of members of the U.S. Armed forces including the Army Reserve and National Guard returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have also participated in a convoy of World War II MerchantMarines who are seeking their rights. Indiana Congressional Medal of Honor Winner Sammy Davis has endorsed my candidacy. Senator Max Cleland has come to Indiana to campaign with me. The Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy has also endorsed my candidacy.

Congressman Buyer replaced Congressman Smith, who was regarded as an advocate for veterans, as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Tom Delay installed Buyer as Chairman to tell the veterans, in the words of a Republican staffer, “Enough is enough.” Congressman Buyer’s assaults on veterans’ benefits and the rights of veterans service organizations to testify before Congress has been extensively documented in publications serving veterans and on the Internet including at such sites as vawatch.org and Veterans for America.

3> What is the biggest challenge facing Congress in 2007?

I would not have voted for the War in Iraq. Congressman Buyer has been a supporter of the war policies that have strengthened the political power of Iran in the Middle East, diverted our forces from their important mission in Afghanistan and cost the future American taxpayer hundreds of billions of dollars. His optimism that the people of Iraq will unite behind a Baghdad government is completely unjustified and demonstrates a profound ignorance of the history and sectarian divisions of the Middle East. The Iraqi security forces have been thoroughly infiltrated by Iraqi sectarian militia members. There are strong parallels to Yugoslavia. A brutal dictator kept an artificially united country together by suppressing ethnic minorities. Once the dictator disappeared from the scene the country disintegrated.

I share the incumbent’s desire to see democracy succeed in Iraq. The most straightforward democratic expression of the people of Iraq on their future would be a referendum on the continuation of occupation of Iraq by American and coalition forces. If you say you believe in democracy in Iraq, then you must support this. We have removed a brutal dictator. Now let us respect Iraqi sovereignty.

Simple proposition—should the occupation by US (and allied) military forces continue indefinitely or end in six months? Additional referendum question—should international forces not including American and coalition forces be invited to help stabilize Iraq?

LET THE IRAQI PEOPLE VOTE!

I have explained in depth previously why either way the vote turns out is a benefit to the United States.

4> This is your second attempt at the US House of Representatives. How is it different the second time around?

Last campaign I had a small group of committed volunteers. This campaign I have two full-time campaign workers and great volunteers working with the campaign in every one of the 12 counties in the District. I have worked extensively with groups that are focused on local issues that have federal input (I-69, Divine Strake, the Indiana Veterans Home, the pipeline through Morgan and Johnson Counties, a landfill in Fountain County, etc.). I have met with veterans throughout the district and have their support. We have much greater private contributions (I have accepted no corporate PAC money) and have consequently a better financed advertising and mail campaign. We have extensive GOTV efforts and a much higher level of name recognition. Travel arrangements have improved so that I can be everywhere. I have been to fairs in each County and have visited each County at least three times during the campaign. People have been writing letters to the editor in support of the campaign for months.

Finally, the issues about which I have been providing my approaches (the war in Iraq, government corruption, health care, etc.) have emerged at the forefront of the voters’ concerns.

5> Many college professors have made the move from academia to politics, most notably President Woodrow Wilson. How does being a biology professor translate to being a US Congressman?

Many of the issues that we face as a society have a scientific or technological basis. Defense against weapons of mass destruction, protection of endangered species and the environment, preparation for a pandemic, stem-cell research, gene therapy, global warming, energy security, and health care are all subjects that have a major scientific component. It is important to have Representatives who understand these issues first-hand. I also see education as a goal itself nor merely a means to an end.

Five Questions with Susan Fuldauer

2006-11-04T07:11:00.000-05:00

Susan Fuldauer has dedicated most of her life to improving the lives of others. She began her career in education in Iowa and later after she moved to Indiana she's taken up the causes of violence against women, pay equity, accessible, patient-driven health care, equity and diversity.

This past February, Susan embarked on her toughest challenge yet, taking on the Indiana House Speaker, Brian Bosma. First elected to the Indiana House in 1986, Bosma was elected Speaker of the House in 2004 when the Republicans took over the General Assembly. Bosma gained notoriety in Indiana when he lost a lawsuit over Christian prayers on the House floor. Bosma pledged to appeal that decision and since then has spent over $100,000 of tax payer money trying to get that decision overturned.

Susan has been working very against Speaker Bosma. If you can help out in anyway, I know she'd appreciate it.

Susan was scheduled to attend the Blogger candidate forum last month but was called away at the last minute. In return she gladly answered my Five Questions...

-------

1> What prompted you to take on Brian Bosma? What was it that made you think that he needed to be voted out?

I am challenging Rep. Bosma because I am tired of the arrogance and lack of focus the leadership has provided on the issues facing Hoosiers both in House District 88 and across Indiana. As Speaker of the House and leader of the right wing of the Indiana Republican Party, Rep. Bosma has let us all down by focusing on the issues important to maintaining his personal and political agendas. I have maintained an aggressive, yet positive, campaign and plan on campaigning up to Election Day.

2> What do you think are the biggest issues facing Hoosiers in the 88th House District and how do you think you can best serve them?

Education and property taxes are definitely on the minds of families in House District 88. Funding our public schools must be at the top of the list, but it is important to stay focused on the property tax issues because both issues are connected. Both issues must be dealt with in a bipartisan manner, and the future of public education must be addressed. These issues have not been adequately adressed and will not be so addressed as long as Rep. Bosma remains in office. The political infighting and focus on issues pertaining to our Hoosiers' personal and private lives have taken center stage and the cost of this poor leadership wil be the decline of public education and the livlihood of everyone.

3> What do you think is most important in attracting high-paying, skilled jobs to Indiana?

Obviously, we want to have a high road, high wage economy flow into Indiana and, also, to be created by Hoosiers. Driving wages up instead of down and out is essential to continuing the vitality of a community and the ability to partake in the "American Dream". Good wages add to the viability of the schools, the infrastructure of the community, better health, lowering of crime rates, etc.

4> How can we refocus our attention on the important matters that should be in front of the General Assembly rather than these wedge issues that have been forced upon us?

We refocus our attention to the real issues facing communities by electing fair-minded, concensus-building citizens that are not afraid to work toward real solutions regardless of party politics.

5> What can we do to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots in education?

Education is the backbone of our democracy and should be the one level playing field for all children. We bridge the gap by bringing solid early education to Indiana's children. We mandate kindergarten and then fund full day kindergarten. This begins the early process of bringing children into the culture of learning and will, udoubtedly, lead to students staying in school longer, thereby becoming more successful citizens.

Indiana Election Countdown

2006-11-02T19:11:00.000-05:00

I have the great honor of being one of the Indiana correspondents for All America PAC's Indiana Election Countdown.

From now until election day we will be posting news and events from around Indiana and the wave turns Indiana from Red to Blue.

Catch me there!

Meet David Orentlicher

2006-11-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

David Orentichler is the current Representative of the 86th House District in the Indiana House of Representatives. David won the seat in 2002 by unseating Rep Jim Atterholt by 37 votes. Those 37 votes gave not only David the 86th District seat, but also Democrats control of the Indiana House, 51-49. Since that time David been targeted by Indiana Republicans. In 2004, David won re-election by almost 4000 votes, but Democrats lost control of the Indiana House.

The 86th District runs down the center of northern Indianapolis, from the south side of Carmel down to 25th St in Indianapolis. It contains some of the most affluent neighborhoods in Indianapolis and some of the poorest. David makes it a point to get out and knock on doors of everyone in the district.

David is a nationally respected expert on bio-ethics, having earn both a medical degree and law degree from Harvard. He is the Samuel R. Rosen Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Law and Health at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis and an adjunct professor at Indiana University School of Medicine where he serves as faculty in the Center for Bio-ethics.

David worked for the American Medical Association directing their division on medical ethics. While there he wrote the first ever Patient Bill of Rights. He's also co-authored text books, Health Care Law and Ethics and Matters of Life and Death. David's also authored dozens of journal articles in leading medical and law journals.

Since coming to the Indiana House, David's worked hard for the 86th District and all of Indiana. David co-authored legistlation that moved to protect children in abusive situations. He also co-authored legistlation mandating child ride in safety booster seats in cars. Knowledgable in both health and law, David is a strong advocate for for medical issues.

Once again in 2006, David has become the target of some of the most vicious ads in Indiana. In one ad his opponent sent out a mailer with pictures of abused children claiming that David would be dangerous to Indiana children despite the fact that David co-authored legistlation to protect children in abusive situations. His opponent, Kathryn Densborn, opposed stem cell research and abortion, even if the mother's life is endangered.

In 2004 and 2006 David's been endorsed by the Indianapolis Star:

Orentlicher deserves the nod for his four years of thoughtful initiative on such vital issues as child protection, education and health care. A professor of law and medicine with specialties in constitutional law and medical ethics, he brings a rare level of expertise to the office.

Orentlicher supports greater investment in education, including full-day kindergarten. After more than a year of study, he plans to offer legislation to try a pilot program of health insurance funding for low-income people and small business, modeled after the federal system for veterans.

If you'd like to help David is his campaign, please make a donation. I look forward to David being my representative for the next two years... and perhaps even moving up to a higher office.

Candidate forum with David Orentlicher, Russell Brown and John Barnes

2006-10-31T16:01:00.000-05:00

On Friday, October 20, I was invited to a candidates forum put on by Bil Browning of Bilerico.com. Bil invited:

Russell Brown (State Senate Candidate – District 31)
Rep David Orentlicher (State Representative – 86th District)
Susan Fuldauer (State House candidate – 88th District)
John Barnes (State House candidate – 89th District)
Mike Kole (Libertarian Candidate - Secretary of State).

Unfortunately Susan and Mike had to cancel at the last minute, but hopefully we’ll get something from them soon.

Bloggers other than myself who attended were:

Bil Browning and Don Sherwood - Bilerico.com
Jennifer Wagner - Taking Down Words
Gary Welsh - Advance Indiana
Steph Mineart - A Commonplace Book
Kelly Jordan - Resisting Inertia
Ben Berg - stAllio's Way
Anonymous - ManfredEye

Each blogger got to ask a question and the three candidates could answer however they wanted. No rules were set… just talking amongst friends…

Stem Cells

First question was from Jennifer Wager from Taking Down Words. She asked the three candidates about stem cell research and how that issue affects the campaigns. Orentlicher talked about how it was more than just an issue about research, but rather it reflected on the state as a whole. If we ban stem cell research it can give the impression that Indiana is not a state that is on the cutting edge of research, thus lowering it’s stock value for biotech companies looking to move here.

Brown added that we have some of the best research universities in the country and we need to create an environment which will ensure that the talent those universities produce stay in Indiana.

Working on the theme of creating a good environment, Barnes said that we need to promote tolerance and diversity to promote Indiana as a forward-thinking state for investors.

Orentlicher used Ft Collins, Colorado as a model for how a community invested in infrastructure, education, parks, etc. to make itself more attractive to companies looking to move here.

Transportation

Ben Berg of StAllio’s Way asked the next question about transportation in general. Orentlicher was the first to respond talking about how we need more public transportation to unite areas.

Barnes talked about how Major Moves was not necessarily bad, but the way it was ramrodded through was not the way to do business. His opponent Larry Buell was part of the problem, not explaining or getting input on what he’s doing… just doing it.

Brown talked about how people are saying how great Major Moves was and he noted an example of a community that just received $100,000+ for road work. While it was great they got the money, in reality that small of an amount would barely pay for anything roadwise.

Orentlicher followed up Barnes’ point about Major Moves being ramrodded on us by pointing out that it sets a dangerous precedent for the gov’t to privatize anything it wants without public input.

Postive vs Negative Campaigning

Kelly from Resisting Inertia asked about positive vs negative campaigning, especially in light of the battle between Orenticher and his opponent. Orentliched acknowledged that it is frustrating because it takes away from the conversation about the topics, the campaigning itself becomes the topic. What the negative ads are about are important issues.

Brown talked about how it was hard to get the attention of the media. The only thing that really gets any press is when you do something controversial.

Barnes said that it’s difficult to attack his opponent because no one knows what his views are… add on top of that the fact that there’s no press coverage… makes this rather difficult.

Privatization of Government

The blogger from Manfred’s Eye asked about privatizing state government. Brown, a former O’Bannon staffer, said that people get into state government not for the money but rather to pay the bills and do good, no one gets rich being a state employee. Being efficient is good, but it should be the default.

Orentlicher said that privatization can be good, but it has to make sense to do so.

Barnes commented that it can be dangerous to take a corporate view, that looking at it that way doesn’t serve the people, but rather the bottom line. Government is not a business and should not be run that way.

Conflicts of interest

I asked the next question about how to keep conflicts of interest out of government. All too often you hear of a legislator blocking one bill or promoting another bill that affects his/her livelihood. Honestly I asked the question but forgot to take notes on it because I was listening to the answer. All three candidates talked about how important it was to minimize the conflict of interest, but sometimes it’s hard to totally remove yourself, especially considering that everyone is only a part-time legistlator.

Orentlicher mentioned that since he was a lawyer, doctor and professor at IU, if he recused himself from every vote that he might benefit on, he’d have to not vote on anything involving lawyers, medicine or universities…

Legistlative Agenda

Steph Mineart from Commonplacebook asked each candidate what part of his legistlative agenda would be...

Brown
1> Full day kindergarten
2> Keeping college grads in Indiana - Stop the brain drain
3> Affordable Health Insurance

Orentlicher
1> Full day kindergarten and preschool
2> Property tax reform
3> Insurance reform

Barnes
1> Health care for the poor
2> Education funding
3> Property tax reform

Gay Marriage Ban Constitutional Amendment

One of the GOP's main issues next legistlative session is promised to be trying to amend the Indiana Constitution to ban gay marriage. Don from Bilerico asked each candidate where they stood on it.

Orentlicher said he was strongly against the proposal, that we shouldn't write discrimination into the constitution.

Brown said the proposal discriminatory and unnecessary, Indiana law already bans gay marriage. Additionally the language of the proposed amendment is vague at best and for that reason alone it should be rejected. Even the author of the amendment couldn't say exactly what it meant.

Barnes agreed that it was redundant. Additionally he pointed that once it's passed it's pretty much set in stone, no amendment to the Indiana constitution has ever been repealed. Additionally it makes our state look backward.

Extending sexual orientation to Civil Rights

Bil from Bilerico asked each candidate if he'd support adding sexual orientation to discrimination laws, protecting gays from being discriminated against like how they added Vietnam veteran status.

Barnes said yes he would support. It's something that people don't like to talk about it, but we need to talk about it.

Orentlicher said that he would support it, but that we needed to be very careful when trying to pass legistlation like that. We need to be careful that state laws don't override local ordinances that may be more protective.

Brown's answer was simple: Yes.

Voter ID

Gary from Advance Indiana asked about the new voter ID law. The new law requires you to show a gov't issued picture ID to vote.

Brown commented that the law was the most restrictive voter ID law in the country. requiring a picture ID is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's too restrictive. Many other election reforms are needed, such as satellite voting, moving poll closing to a later hour and allowing voter registration closer to election day.

Orentlicher said that the bill was not designed to protect the integrity of voting. There are plenty of other places that has much much more fraud that they are unwilling to touch, like absentee balloting.

Barnes said that it if wasn't broken, why are they trying to fix it? There's been no evidence of voter fraud by people trying to impersonate someone to vote. If they were really concerned about cutting down on fraud they'd have focused on absentee ballots.

Orentlicher added that there may have been very isolated cases of it, but it's never been reported. If there was systemic fraud, it would have been evident in the voting trends.

It’s Financial Reports Time!!!

2006-10-21T05:35:00.000-04:00

Time to see who’s making the money, who’s spending it and who’s got some left for the homestretch… Thanks to OpenSecrets.org for making the data so accessible. (BTW… COH stands for Cash-on-hand).

IN-1 – Rep Visclosky is cruising to another easy win. Think of the IN-1 as being a mirror of the IN-5.

Pete Visclosky – Democrat Incumbent
Raised - $1,293,572
Spent - $884,015
COH - $1,008,575

Mark Leyva – Republican Challenger
Raised - $9,870
Spent - $9,708
COH - $657

IN-2 – This one is a LOT closer than the money story is showing. A lot of outside forces are coming to bear on this. Move-on.org has paid for a lot of ads and the Democratic and Republican national committees have also pumped a lot of money into it. Rumours abound that if Chocola doesn’t dip into his personal fortune to help, National Republicans aren’t going to be pumping cash in for much longer.

Joe Donnelly – Democrat Challenger
Raised - $1,145,316
Spent - $816,699
COH - $333,449

Chris Chocola – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $2,733,972
Spent - $1,929,247
COH - $1,001,908

IN-3 – This race is starting to turn some heads. Dr. Hayhurst has tapped his own finances to give an unexpected influx of cash down the stretch. Some have said this caught the Souder camp off-guard and they’re scrambling. I’m not sure Dr. Hayhurst can make up all the ground in time for election day, but keep your eye on this race come Nov. 7. If it’s a landslide for the Democrats, Rep. Souder may get steamrolled right along with Hostettler, Chocola and Sodrel.

Tom Hayhurst – Democrat Challenger
Raised - $592,492
Spent - $500,929
COH - $91,562

Mark Souder – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $299,141
Spent - $210,863
COH - $111,364

IN-4 – Another one of Indiana’s secure Republican districts. David Sanders’ financials aren't in, but I believe if you don’t expect to raise more than $50,000 you don’t need to file.

David Sanders – Democrat Challenger (6/30/06)
Raised - $10,109
Spent - $1,559
COH - $14,722

Steve Buyer – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $628,049
Spent - $406,225
COH - $416,949

IN-5 – See my comments for IN-4.

Katherine Carr – Democrat Challenger (no filing date listed)
Raised - $6,898
Spent - $4,567
COH - $2,414

Dan Burton – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $434,151
Spent - $571,112
COH - $840,485

IN-6 – See my comments for IN-4. Barry Welsh has run a spirited campaign on a shoestring budget. Kudos to him for making the most out of what he has. Pence’s large numbers may not be reflective of his Congressional campaign. There’s some conservative activists who’ve quietly been mentioning his name for 2008.

Barry Welsh – Democrat Challenger
Raised - $50,178
Spent - $48,061
COH - $1,777

Mike Pence – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $1,348,402
Spent - $1,064,134
COH - $480,347

IN-7 – Eric Dickerson (no, not the NFL Hall of Fame runningback, although you confuse the two I’m sure he wouldn’t mind) said at the start that he needed to raise $200,000 to run a competitive race. Gee, go figure, now he’s saying they never really needed that much. Could it be because you only raise ¼ of that? In what promised to be a good campaign has turned into something of a trainwreck. Dickerson’s campaign turned down cash and resources from the Indiana Republican Party and claims to have spent $2 million dollars on his campaign… since 1999. Considering that a lot of the population still thinks he ran for 2000+ yards in a season, I don’t think it’s money well spent.

Julia Carson – Democrat Incumbent
Raised - $321,426
Spent - $299,355
COH - $324,097

Eric Dickerson – Republican Challenger
Raised - $47,684
Spent - $27,061
COH - $21,824

IN-8 – The “Bloody Eighth” – Notorious for not raising campaign funds, John Hostettler is doing nothing to dispel that. Underachieving yet again has cause the National Committee to pour loads of cash into the district to assist. Add on top of that the excellent job that Brad Ellsworth has done in fundraising and you’ve got a seat ripe for takeover. It’s a question of when, not if, the National Republicans turn off the money spigot… Rumours (feverishly denied) abound in this race that Hostettler has all but given up. National Republicans have dumped more cash into the district in the past few days, but with more competitive seats out there you gotta wonder how long they’ll continue to pour water down the drain.

Brad Ellsworth – Democrat Challenger
Raised - $1,466,903
Spent - $1,053,440
COH - $413,463

John Hostettler – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $449,594
Spent - $181,447
COH - $269,704

IN-9 – This race is nationally known for how intense it is. For the third straight election Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel have battled it out in this no-holds-barred bare-knuckle fight. Baron Hill used Sodrel’s connection to Mark Foley against him and Sodrel claimed Hill doesn’t hold “Hoosier Values” because he voted against a gay marriage ban and flag desecration ban. This is going to go down to the wire yet again. This is the third of the Indiana Three that’s attracting a lot of national attention and money.

Baron Hill – Democratic Challenger
Raised - $1,536,268
Spent - $618,676
COH - $927,401

Mike Sodrel – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $2,181,232
Spent - $1,132,816
COH - $1,072,484

Indiana Senate – Richard Lugar’s so loved in Indiana that the Democrats didn’t even bother to put someone up against him. Yet still Lugar’s advertising on TV about how great a Senator he is… Ummm… Senator, we know… we’re convinced… you’re preaching to the choir. Steve Osborn is the token opponent for the Libertarians… and he didn’t file a financial statement.

Richard Lugar – Republican Incumbent
Raised - $5,370,017
Spent - $2,886,577
COH - $2,892,395

Evan Bayh – Senator Bayh’s data is a little different because he’s not running this year. But here’s his info…

Senate Campaign Fund
2001-2006 Total Receipts: $12,142,264
2001-2006 Total Spent: $3,815,800
Cash on Hand: $10,578,491

All America PAC
Total Receipts: $3,074,109
Total Spent: $2,662,898
Cash on Hand: $794,555

Human Rights Campaign Scorecard

2006-10-17T23:50:00.000-04:00

Here's a shocker for you... Hoosier Democrats scored well on the Human Rights Campaign 2006 Scorecard and Hoosier Republican... well they didn't. I could be wrong, but it probably has something to do with trying to deny basic human rights to gays...

In the Senate, Senator Bayh scored an 89% while Senator Lugar scored a big fat ZERO...

In the House, Rep. Visclosky scored a 75% while Rep. Carson scored a 88%. Of the Hooser Republican Reps, only Hostettler managed to escape the goose-egg. He opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment (which scored triple) on the grounds that the Federal Gov't didn't belong in the debate. Hostettler scored a 38% while the rest of the Republican Congressmen (Chocola, Souder, Pence, Buyer, Burton and Sodrel) scored a big fat ZERO.

For those keeping score...

Hoosier Democrats average: 84%
Hoosier Republicans average: 4.8%

IndyStar endorses Ellsworth and Donnelly

2006-10-15T19:08:00.000-04:00

The prevailing wisdom is that The Indianapolis Star is a conservative newspaper. While that may have been tempered in the past few years after their acquisition by Gannett, they still tend to bend that way.

Which is what makes today endorsements so impressive. In today's Indianapolis Star the editorial board endorsed 7 incumbents (Viscolsky, Souder, Buyer, Burton, Carson, Sodrel and Pence) and endorse two challengers, IN-8 Brad Ellsworth and IN-2 Joe Donnelly.

Indiana 2nd District

Supporters of Rep. Chris Chocola are crying foul that he's taking blame for the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road to a private entity, an unpopular move in the Northern Indiana district.

But challenger Joe Donnelly is right to argue that a congressperson should at least have spoken up informally about the momentous deal involving an interstate highway, even if the federal government was not directly involved.

Making his second consecutive run at the Republican two-term incumbent, Democrat Donnelly could benefit enough from the Toll Road controversy and another state issue, daylight-saving time, to close the narrow margin by which he lost in 2004. Dissatisfaction with the national GOP and with the Iraq war also is behind one of the nation's closest congressional races.

At the same time, Donnelly, a well-spoken Mishawaka businessman and former State Election Board member, brings many positives of his own to the table, including sound, moderate positions on extrication from Iraq, immigration control and taxation. While Chocola in his brief tenure has established himself as an advocate for small business and fiscal sense, Donnelly is the better choice between two worthy candidates.

Indiana 8th District

The "Bloody Eighth" District in Southern Indiana is living up to the nickname it has earned in a succession of close and bitter elections over the years. Will the outspoken maverick Rep. John Hostettler survive to see a seventh term?

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth is the strongest Democrat so far to take on Hostettler, and their race has drawn national attention, with the dollars to match. The incumbent hopes his base of social and fiscal conservatives will carry him through once again; but Ellsworth should have broader appeal, thanks not only to his more congenial persona but also to his stands on key issues.

Ellsworth astutely presents himself as an alternative to the incivility and partisanship that have afflicted Congress and colored some of Hostettler's rhetoric. Ellsworth would be more likely to embrace the compromise efforts on immigration that Hostettler rigidly opposes. And he vows to bring to Washington the budgetary discipline he has had to observe in local public office. He deserves the opportunity.

The other endorsements weren't much of a surprise...

IN-1 - The Star endorses Pete Visclosky

Preserving jobs in industrialized Northwest Indiana and promoting education for a high-tech future are natural priorities for a 1st District member of Congress, and Rep. Pete Visclosky has attended to that business through his 22 years in the seat. He deserves a 12th term.

IN-3 - In a backhanded endorsement, rather than endorsing Souder, The Star said Hayhurst hasn't shown enough why they should't vote for Souder.

Souder's Democratic challenger, pulmonologist Tom Hayhurst, has experience on the local level as a Fort Wayne City Council member and as an activist for veterans' issues. He's been unable to show, however, why voters should deny Souder a seventh term.

IN-4 - No surprise... Endorsement for Steve Buyer.

Sanders, a Purdue University professor, is an intelligent, passionate advocate for his positions on the political left. But it's Buyer's work on veterans issues, along with his fiscal conservatism, that wins The Star's endorsement.

IN-5 - Another backhanded endorsement for Burton... This one says there are so few Democrats in the district they can't field a competitive candidate.

The congressman, a member of the International Relations Committee, has done little to distinguish himself in the past two years. But without a well-qualified opponent to challenge Burton, voters should once again return him to Washington.

IN-6 - Strong endorsement to Pence...

The incumbent is opposed by Democrat Barry Welsh, a Methodist minister who is running to Pence's right on immigration. Welsh has run a respectable grassroots campaign but isn't a match for Pence's depth of knowledge or experience. The Star strongly endorses Mike Pence for a fourth term.

IN-7 - Another "we'd like to recommend the other guy but..." endorsement for Carson.

Dickerson, a Marine veteran, is in many ways a stronger candidate than the incumbent. He offers a reasoned, moderate approach on major issues, including the war in Iraq. He has a strong background in business and could bring fresh energy to the 7th District seat. But he stumbled badly in responding to the revelation that he had been arrested on domestic violence charges. It's a mistake the challenger, a political newcomer, couldn't afford. With deep reservations, The Star recommends Carson for one more term.

IN-9 - Relatively strong endorsement for Sodrel.

Sodrel, after only two years in office, has shown solid growth in the position. He's earned a second term.

Warner drops out before even starting...

2006-10-12T12:57:00.001-04:00

Mark Warner announced today that he would not be seeking the Democratic nomination for President in 2008. Warner cited his family as the main reason for not running. "I know these moments are never going to come again. This weekend made clear what I'd been thinking about for many weeks that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge at this point, I want to have a real life."

So... where does that leave everyone else, especially Senator Bayh? Two words... Sitting pretty.

Let's take a look at the other candidates...

I'm going to skip Edwards, but honestly I don't think this affects him much. He still has his base and message...

I still don't think Hillary will run... I think she's smart enough to realize what would happen if she did win the nomination.

I think Kerry will either not run or start and bow out early when he realizes that a lot of the people who supported him won't come back under his tent.

Vilsack I think will come to his senses and realize if he can't even get better than 3rd place in his own state he doens't have a chance anywhere else...

That leaves Clark, Richardson, Biden, Gephardt and Bayh (and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone else)... but of those only Bayh has the money to buy the name recognition needed to increase his numbers. And with Warner out, I'm sure the All America PAC staff is burning up the phone lines securing Warner's financial backers to dump more money into his coffers...

Regardless of whether or not you agree with 100% of his views, you HAVE to admit this is a HUGE bonus for Bayh.

But don't take my word for it... Let's see what other people are saying...

Political Derby:

Who benefits the most? That’s a no-brainer, and I have one word for you, Evan Bayh. ProFlowers.com. Time to send Warner some chocolates, a few nice Mylar balloons and one of those giant thank you cards. The center of track has just become a heckuvalot less crowded.

The Fix:

The most obvious winner from the Warner news is Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. Bayh and Warner shared much of the same ideological territory -- moderate, consensus builders elected in red states. After helping Gov. Tim Kaine (D) win the governorship in 2005, Warner became the "it" boy of national politics -- the candidate seen as most likely to emerge as the alternative to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D).

Warner's ascent came at the expense of Bayh, who found much of the air sucked out of his candidacy. No longer. Party insiders say that there was a major behind-the-scenes fight for donors and activists between Bayh and Warner.

Not surprisingly, the first statement from a prospective 2008er on Warner's decision came from Bayh, who praised the former governor as "exceptional public servant, a great leader, and an influential voice in the Democratic Party." You can expect Bayh to be on the phone today to some of the money men who had sided with Warner in hopes of locking them up for his own bid.

OvalOffice2008.com:

Taking Warner's place in the third spot is the person who I believe may benefit most from Warner's departure - Indiana Senator Evan Bayh who rises from fifth. Russ Feingold stays in fourth, with everyone else moving up one place to fill the gap left above them.

League of Conservation Voters Scorecard

2006-10-11T15:36:00.000-04:00

The League of Conservation Voters has released their scorecard for the 2006 Midterm elections...

Our own Sen Bayh was one of 19 Senators so score a perfect 100%. Lugar scored a 14%.

Not surprising, 6 of the 7 GOP representatives from Indiana scored a big fat 0%. Sodrel was the only one that didn't score a 0... he got a whopping 8%. For the Dems, Julia Carson scored a perfect 100% and Pete Visclosky scored 92%.

So for those keeping score...

Indiana's Democratic Delegation - 97.3%
Indiana's Republican Delegation - 2.8%

Bayh campaigning in Indiana

2006-10-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh returned to Indiana during the Fall Recess to campaign for Indiana's Democrats. Focusing mainly on the Indiana Three (Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill), Bayh attended events with all three.

On Oct 6th, Bayh attended an event with Sheriff Ellsworth at the Evansville Regional Airport to call for the implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. "America doesn't expect perfection, but it does expect us to do the best job we can," Ellsworth said. "We're not doing nearly enough, and that's got to change," Bayh said. "... We have to do better than that - and, with Brad Ellsworth's help, that's what we're going to do."

Up in Mishawaka, Bayh paid a visit to his old friend Joe Donnelly. Evan and Joe stopped by the United Steelworkers hall to talk about legistlation to keep US jobs in the US. Later they visited the AM General Humvee plant. Bayh recently announced that $2.2billion had been approved to pay for armored Humvees.

In addition to campaigning for the Indiana Three, Bayh announced that All America PAC was donating $100,000 to the Indiana Democratic Party to help out all Democrats in Indiana.

All of this is coming on the heels of some great months for the Indiana Three. All three races have jumped into the top tier of races most likely to turn over. In Chris Cillizza's most recent House Line he had them placed at 13th(IN-9), 10th(IN-2) and 6th(IN-8). National Journal has them ranked at 9th(IN-2), 8th(IN-9) and 5th(IN-8).

But Bayh and All America PAC stressed that this is NOT the time to get complacent and pull out the champagne... As Ryan on All America PAC states, "...we've made it pretty clear that we cannot take this election for granted. We cannot hope to just sit back and watch the Republicans self-destruct."

Five Questions with Katherine Carr

2006-10-06T13:06:00.000-04:00

Katherine Carr is taking on her old nemesis, Dan Burton, once again. Playing David to Burton's Goliath for the third time, Carr is ready for the challenge of running for the Indiana 5th Congressional District seat. One look at her website and it's abundantly clear that Carr prides herself in her patriotism, faith and dedication to both Indiana and the United States.

A longtime community activist, Carr has been involved in numerous community groups, including the Marion County Citizen Alumni Association, St. Patrick Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary, as well as many years teaching.

Mrs. Carr was kind enough to answer my 5 questions...

1. What is the greatest challenge that is facing citizens in Central Indiana and how can their Representative help them in that?

Jobs, education, healthcare and Social Security. I can help by making the right votes and not backing down.

2. What do you think is your strongest asset in running for Congress?

That I am a moderate/conservative in a primarily conservative district. I believe all the people in the 5th are important.

3. When you are elected to Congress, who do you think youÂ¢ll be most like when developing a political style?

Sorry, I can give them to you in order, but get these 5 to work together and you can't lose. I feel that each of these have something about them that I share or want to share in my own makeup.

Bayh-coolness, thinking through what he does, bipartisan, moderate, caring for all, listening to all, able to see ahead and reach across the aisle. ( Don't you think Susan would make a great First Lady?)

Hillary-the passion she has and her ability to draw people to her point of view. She's strong and brilliant.

Casey-his commitment to his beliefs and values.

Biden-a great stateman, stands up for America.

Murtha-a passionate man who sticks to his guns and what he believes in.

4. What has been the biggest challenge while running for Congress?

It might not be good to print the next one, but it has been the most difficult. However, it keeps me centered as I know I should be. I am a definite moderate.

The opposition, fighting an uphill battle with Democrats (those Democrats who run the party) as well as Republicans.

5. The 5th District has some very different demographics, from the suburbs of Indianapolis to small farms. What will you do in Congress to ensure that all of your constituents are treated equally and fairly?

I will have people with the knowledge and ability to represent these groups on my staff and advise me.

Hill and Sodrel debate

2006-09-02T16:18:00.000-04:00

In what may be one of the closest House races in the nation, Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel faced off with Libertarian Eric Schansberg.

9th District candidates face off - Indianapolis Star
9th District debate focuses on war in Iraq, energy - Louisville Courier-Journal

This is the third time that Hill and Sodrel have faced each other in the IN-9 race. In 2002, Hill defeated Sodrel. In 2004, Sodrel beat Hill by less than 1,500 votes.

Sodrel continued to be out of touch with Indiana voters as he firmly stated that there was no real crisis with regard to the US energy policy stating that the 1973 Oil Embargo was much worse. I guess he should talk to 100+ DaimlerChrysler workers in Kokomo who were just laid off because of high fuel prices.

When Sodrel couldn't attack Hill, he took to attacking Nancy Pelosi. He said that the Republican Speaker of the House is from Illinois, "the Heartland". If Democrats retake the House, Pelosi would likely be Speaker, "from San Francisco, California." Ooooo... nothing like trying to scare voters with the thought that someone from EEEEEK San Francisco would be Speaker. Hill thoughtfully countered by saying that voters should look at individual candidates and who would represent them the best. "This is not about the political parties," he said. "It's all about you {the voters}."

Neither candidate said we should pull out of Iraq, but while Sodrel wanted to blindly continue on a road that is leading Iraq into civil war, Hill said that they can't continue to "stay the course" and remain in Iraq indefinately. Hill, who voted for the authorization of force bill in 2002, said that he was lied to by the Bush Administation about the need to go to war.

Finally Baron Hill continued to challenge Sodrel to future one-topic debates. Sodrel said that he wouldn't debate on a single subject, that the voters wouldn't get to hear all of the candidate's views. So unless they can come up with something this may be the first and last debate for the two.

Donnelly getting noticed

2006-09-02T13:44:00.000-04:00

As we've been saying for months, Joe Donnelly is doing great and he's finally getting noticed in the national press.

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post has vaulted Joe Donnelly and the IN-2 from not being ranked all the way up to 6th in his latest Friday Line. Here's what he had to say:

No race has collapsed quicker for Republicans than this one, where Rep. Chris Chocola (R) finds himself in very serious trouble against 2004 Democratic nominee Joe Donnelly. The root of the incumbent's problems appears to be the unpopularity of the president and governor, but Chocola seems to have also taken his re-election for granted -- a cardinal sin for a Republican in this type of environment. Can Chocola come back? Republican strategists are very skeptical.

That's a bigger jump than any other race in his rankings with the exception of the crazy TX-22, Tom DeLay's old seat.

The IN-8 and IN-9 races were also featured in Chillizza's rankings. The IN-9 race dropped from 6th to 12th as Sodrel preps his dirty attacks that knocked out Baron Hill 2 years ago. In the IN-8 race, Chillizza raised the ranking from 10th to 5th citing Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth nice ideological fit and Hostetler's poor campaigning skills.

DNC adds South Carolina and Nevada to early primary/caucuses

2006-08-20T11:08:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, the DNC approved the recommended early primary/caucuses schedule for 2008. They added Nevada in between Iowa and New Hampshire and added South Carolina immediately following New Hampshire.

So the schedule for 2008 is as follows:

January 14 - Iowa Caucus
January 19 - Nevada Caucus
January 22 - New Hampshire Primary
January 29 - South Carolina Primary

The DNC also enacted "stiff" penalties for states that did not abide by this calendar by saying their delegates would not be counted at the National Convention, thus eliminating their role in the nominating procedure.

Needless to say the NH delegation was not pleased. New Hampshire state law mandates that their primary be the first in the nation and while this schedule does maintain that it certainly diminishes the importance of the New Hampshire Primary. NH Gov John Lynch said "The DNC did not give New Hampshire its primary, and it is not taking it away." The New Hampshire Secretary of State said that he sets the date for the New Hampshire Primary, not the DNC. "That's going to be based on state law, and it will be a date that honors the tradition," Democratic NH Secretary of State William Gardner said. "It appears that he's in the driver's seat taking the Democratic National Committee on a collision course with the New Hampshire tradition."

Some have said that the DNC's penalties are toothless. After all, New Hampshire isn't about delegates anyways, it's about momentum. New Hampshire sends 27 delegates to the National Convention, that's less that 1% of the over 3500 delegates available. Is New Hampshire willing to risk it? Many experts say yes and even hint at New Hampshire moving its primary to December 2007. And they say that it would be worth it for candidates to campaign there because the momentum a good showing in New Hampshire gives them is worth A LOT more than the measly 22 delegates up for grabs in the primary (there are 5 "super delegates").

Stay tuned for future developments...

On Vacation

2006-08-04T16:51:00.000-04:00

Well I'm off for a vacation with my family. It'll be our first time camping which should be interesting with an 8yr old, a 3yr old and a 6yr old autistic girl. Wish us luck. Our main vacation will be camping at Lake Rudolph Campground while we visit Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

After vacation I'll be back with more columns, probably in a week or two.

Have fun!

Camp Bayh invades Iowa

2006-07-25T19:39:00.000-04:00

Tucked away in a sidebar in the Des Moines Register was this little nugget:

Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat taking steps toward running for president, said his political action committee will pay for 23 campaign staffers to help Democratic candidates in Iowa in this fall's elections.

Bayh's All America PAC has held training sessions for more than 100 campaign workers, with the idea that they would also be willing to work for Bayh, should he move forward with a presidential campaign next year.

"We thought this was in some ways better than just giving people a check," Bayh said.

Bayh is among eight prospective presidential candidates, Democrats and Republicans, who have operatives on the ground in Iowa. Iowa is expected to host the leadoff nominating caucuses in January 2008.

So while Warner and Feingold have 1 or 2 operatives on the ground... Sen Bayh is sending 23. From what I heard the Camp Bayh Full Immersion was slated to accept 50 interns, sending them out across the country to assist in campaigns. So 23 of them are going to Iowa, and you have to figure a significant portion are going to stay here in Indiana to assist the Indiana 3: Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill. So that'll leave... maybe 10 interns for other states... Three guesses what states they'll go to? New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

2nd Quarter Campaign Finances

2006-07-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

June 30th was the end of the 2nd Quarter which means campaigns are sending into the FEC their campaign finance reports. Here's a synopsis (courtesy of the FEC and OpenSecrets.org)

Cash on hand

1st Congressional District
Dem Peter Visclosky (I) - $1,168,760
Rep Mark Leyva - $231 1Q - 2Q not filed yet.

2nd Congressional District
Dem Joe Donnelly - $435,215
Rep Chris Chocola (I) - $1,554,483

3rd Congressional District
Dem Tom Hayhurst - $147,758
Rep Mark Souder (I) - $68,358

4th Congressional District
Dem David Sanders - $5,920 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Steve Buyer (I) - $311,848

5th Congressional District
Dem Kathrine Carr - $243 date unknown - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Dan Burton - $924,588

6th Congressional District
Dem Barry Welsh - $2,909 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Mike Pence - $714,466

7th Congressional District
Dem Julia Carson (I) - $301,621
Rep Eric Dickerson - $367

8th Congressional District
Dem Brad Ellsworth - $676,475
Rep John Hostettler (I) - $195,146

9th Congressional District
Dem Baron Hill - $973,305
Rep Mike Sodrell (I) - $1,138,911

US Senate
Rep Richard Lugar - $4,011,244

Dem Evan Bayh - $10,363,520
All America PAC - $1,303,341

Money Raised

1st Congressional District
Dem Peter Visclosky (I) - $1,243,454
Rep Mark Leyva - $7,025 1Q - 2Q not filed yet.

2nd Congressional District
Dem Joe Donnelly - $592,397
Rep Chris Chocola (I) - $1,924,963

3rd Congressional District
Dem Tom Hayhurst - $206,989
Rep Mark Souder (I) - $171,247

4th Congressional District
Dem David Sanders - $250 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Steve Buyer (I) - $445,492

5th Congressional District
Dem Kathrine Carr - $1,731 date unknown - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Dan Burton - $385,741

6th Congressional District
Dem Barry Welsh - $$22,832 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Mike Pence - $1,152,522

7th Congressional District
Dem Julia Carson (I) - $208,514
Rep Eric Dickerson - $32,032

8th Congressional District
Dem Brad Ellsworth - $1,036,348
Rep John Hostettler (I) - $284,142

9th Congressional District
Dem Baron Hill - $1,171,727
Rep Mike Sodrell (I) - $1,741,804

US Senate
Rep Richard Lugar - $5,216,408

All America PAC - $2,845,646

Money Spent

1st Congressional District
Dem Peter Visclosky (I) - $1,168,760
Rep Mark Leyva - $7,413 1Q - 2Q not filed yet.

2nd Congressional District
Dem Joe Donnelly - $151,848
Rep Chris Chocola (I) - $567,663

3rd Congressional District
Dem Tom Hayhurst - $59,230
Rep Mark Souder (I) - $125,976

4th Congressional District
Dem David Sanders - $233 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Steve Buyer (I) - $328,769

5th Congressional District
Dem Kathrine Carr - $1,571 date unknown - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Dan Burton - $438,598

6th Congressional District
Dem Barry Welsh - $19,922 1Q - 2Q not filed yet
Rep Mike Pence - $634,134

7th Congressional District
Dem Julia Carson (I) - $208,920
Rep Eric Dickerson - $20,813

8th Congressional District
Dem Brad Ellsworth - $359,873
Rep John Hostettler (I) - $90,553

9th Congressional District
Dem Baron Hill - $208,231
Rep Mike Sodrell (I) - $626,961

US Senate
Rep Richard Lugar - $1,614,119

All America PAC - $1,925,648

Five Questions with Barry Welsh

2006-07-14T09:06:00.000-04:00

Running against a conservative icon can't be easy. But it's a challenge that Barry Welsh has taken on with dedication and vigor.

Barry Welsh is running for the Indiana's 6th Congressional Seat. Barry is currently the pastor at the Laurel United Methodist Church and previously was a high school teacher at New Palestine and an on-air personality at WIFE 100.3FM in Connersville. As a pastor, Barry is committed to serving the people of his community and congregation which has increased his knowledge and compassion with those less fortunate. "Nobody likes to be poor, nobody wants to admit that they are poor... Seeing how the dignity of people is compromised by situations beyond their control is heart-wrenching and motivating." As a former public school teacher Barry knows the importance of our public school system and the problems facing it. "Public Schools are the springboard of opportunity for any kid who has a dream."

Barry was nice enough to take the time to answer Five Questions... so here they are.

1. What is the biggest issue facing citizens of the 6th District and what can the US Representative do to help?

The single biggest issue facing citizens of this district is the price of fuel. As this cost goes up and more funds are required to go toward the gas tank, those funds are not there for discretionary spending in many cases, and in some extreme cases, some of the necessities of life.

The current representative could have voted to enforce price gouging legislation and to remove the tax breaks and corporate welfare given to big oil. He chose to vote for the oil companies and against the people. I would have made the opposite choice and listened to the citizens.

2. Which US Congressman do you think you'd most be like when you're elected?

When I am elected this November, the people of this district will find that I share the traits of many fine Indiana Democrats; I have the same priority for the future of our planet that Former Representative Phil Sharp holds, that I share the concern for Homeland Security that Former Representative Lee Hamilton voices, that I have the genuine best interest of the people as my focus as does current Indiana Representative Julia Carson, and that the Working Familes of Indiana must be protected and strengthened which is a Bayh Family legacy.

So the people will find that I am yet another in a long line of compassionate, caring, committed, public servants to represent our great state.

3. Much has been said about the Democrats lack of a voice in Washington, since they hold neither the House, Senate nor the White House. How can Democrats do a better job at getting their message out and their goals accomplished?

That's a great question Rob, as are all of these. We must take back the House and the Senate and put true oversight back into the vocabulary of the Washington D.C. daily language. Our first goal as a party on the national level has to be to bridle the current administration's all out War on the Middle Class.

During the time leading up to this election, they will show moderation, but we can not trust that to extend past election day without taking back the one branch of government where it is possible, the Congress.

The Democrats have many voices, Our own Senator Bayh among them, and all of our voices will be heard between now and 2008.

4. DNC Chairman Howard Dean recently paid you a visit. Did he give you any advice for your campaign?

I want to be above board on everything Rob, and Governor Dean did not visit me individually, but rather visited the state, and spent some time one on one with me. He told me to keep doing what we were doing, and that is to take what he started in 2004, and tailor it to our district. It was good advice and it is working.

5. Mike Pence has been in the news recently for his immigration proposal. What do you think is the best and worst part of his proposal?

I am glad you asked that Rob, and that I have a chance to speak about this.

I understand the desire for a better life, and the chance for a new beginning. America offers that, and many enter legally and take advantage of this land of freedom and dreams. The problem is some did not wait their turn and came across the border in violation of the law. This has been going on for a number of years and only when it is out of control does it draw attention. This in itself speaks volumns about the priorites of the Corporate Republicans.

I believe we need real border security, and the Bush/Pence plan does not come close to adaquately addressing this. I believe the Bush/Pence plan gives a blanket pardon to Big Business which provides the incentive through illegal employment opportunites to encourage illegal immigration. These businesses are undermining our economy and the future of our children and they should not be fined, they should not be allowed to do business any longer.

I believe the Bush/Pence plan and the proposal for foreign "Kelly Services" type stations that advertise jobs available in America will increase illegal traffic, not stop it. LEGAL immigration should be allowed and is a vital part of our nation's history and thus it's future, but to punish the legal immigrants that play by the rules by rewarding those that chose illegal activity is not just.

The best thing about the Bush/Pence plan is that it does not call for the mass deportation of those that are here. I do not agree with the Bush/Pence amnesty masked in carefully crafted words, but amnesty none the less. But I do not agree with mass deportation either. We must take away the incentives for being here illegally and begin to humanely turn back the tide.

The Associated Press on Bayh

2006-07-08T07:10:00.000-04:00

The AP has published two articles in the last few days which has been picked up by papers across the country.

The first article, Indiana Senator Bayh keeps strong presence in Iowa, was seen in the Boston media. The second, Sen. Bayh seeks edge in Democratic field, has been seen in places like Roanoke, VA. Mike Glover is the author of both articles.

The first article talks about how it's Sen Bayh's 5th visit to Iowa and mentions his support for Sen Lieberman (which is probably why it's in the Boston Globe).

"I've raised money for him and I've supported him," Bayh said. "If Joe asks, I absolutely would go up there" to campaign for Lieberman.

Democrats who have supported Lieberman will face a tough choice if he loses in the primary. Lieberman has taken steps to run as an independent if he loses, which would put him against another Democrat in the election.

Bayh would not say what he would do in that case.

"That's a hypothetical question that I think isn't going to happen," Bayh said. "I think that Joe is going to win. He has a good record and a progressive record on many issues."

It's nice to see Sen Bayh being nice to his friend but f course anyone with half a brain can tell you what he would do if Lieberman lost.

The article also has a quote from the Iowa Republican Party Executive that tries to paint Sen Bayh as a liberal, something the liberals in the party would howl at.

Iowa Republican Party Executive Cullen Sheehan said Bayh repeatedly voted against Bush's tax cut proposals and supports an estate tax.

"The fact that Sen. Bayh supports these measures proves that he is out of touch with what the people of Iowa want," Sheehan said.

Obviously Mr Sheehan hasn't heard anything that Sen Bayh has said about the estate tax and is just parroting Republican talking points.

The 2nd article is by far the more interesting one. It talks about Sen Bayh is starting to make inroads in Iowa.

In a quiet, methodical style reflecting his Midwestern roots, Sen. Evan Bayh is laying the foundation for a presidential campaign and prompting some Democrats to talk about a candidate with a realistic shot.

"The chatter that you hear is that he's a good guy and nice and he has that honest, Midwestern feel to him, kind of like Harry Truman," said veteran Democratic strategist Dane Strother. "That's all appealing."

...

Bayh's close attention to retail politics has earned him high marks as Iowa Democrats head into a competitive election with an open governor's race, toss-up House races and a legislature that's virtually tied. Bayh planned to attend eight events raising money for local candidates.

"He is making inroads here," said former Iowa Democratic Chairman Gordon Fischer. "He is doing what it takes to be successful in the Iowa caucuses, and that is a lot of retail politics."

Tom Courtney, a state senator from Burlington, Iowa, was getting some help from Bayh.

"When I'm around town, I'm starting to hear Bayh's name mentioned," Courtney said. "Democrats are looking for somebody who is new and fresh."

The Lieberman Question

2006-07-07T12:30:00.000-04:00

"The Lieberman Question" or "What do you do when your friend tries to rebel?"

It's no secret that many Senators, including Senator Bayh, are good friends with Senator Lieberman. Because of this friendship it is only right to expect that they would back him during his current primary battle with Ned Lamont. It's a matter of being loyal to your friend during his primary campaign.

But what if Lieberman loses the primary and then goes and tries to run for the seat as an Independent? Where should loyalties lie? Should they stay with the friend who is not rebelling against the system or should they stay with the party who has selected someone else as the standard bearer?

In my opinion the loyalties MUST remain with the party, the general public and the person they've selected to be their candidate. To do otherwise would be to completely undermine the primary system for selecting candidates.

I wish Joe Lieberman the best and I support his candidacy. But like any good Democrat, after the primary votes are counted we must rally around that candidate regardless of our personal loyalties. That is what the primary system is all about. Any true friends Joe has should be taking him aside and telling him as much. "Joe, I love you man, but this run as an Independent is just crazytalk. I'm sorry but I have to respect the wishes of the electorate and support whoever wins the primary." If they not saying it now, it's probably out of respect for Lieberman. But if he tries to play the sore-loser and run as an Independent, don't expect that to carry over.

The President and the Baron

2006-07-06T06:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay and the poor quality of the pictures...

Yesterday I had the privledge of attending the fundraiser for Baron Hill featuring former President Bill Clinton. The fundraiser at the Marriott downtown featured Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, Representative Julia Carson (D-IN 7), the candidate himself and of course former President Bill Clinton.

After nice light lunch the speaking program began. Mayor Peterson was the first to speak. He thanked everyone there for coming out to support Baron and staying involved in the political process. He then talked about how what made President Clinton a great President is that he did things that work. He used a policy of common sense rather than being one of the "51% people", people who only want to please just enough people to get them 51% of the vote to get re-elected.

"True leaders believe that they are elected to represent everybody, including the folks and maybe even especially the folks that didn't vote for them."

Mayor Peterson then went on to talk about Representative Julia Carson, praising her as the best thing to happen to Indianapolis and described her as the next "Mailman" (a la Karl Malone) because she delivers for the City of Indianapolis. Mayor Peterson then went on to talk Baron Hill. He talked about how Baron Hill brought common sense to the 9th District. "Things just seemed in control when Baron Hill was in office."

Julia Carson was then introduced. The emcee for the event talked about how he'd been watching the World Cup and knew that you can't achieve superstardom until you're known by only one name. Based on the yardsigns he's had in his yard, Julia, is truly a superstar. Representative Carson came on to talk about how she isn't apologetic to "have the unmitigated gall to say No" to the Iraq War resolution in 2002. She doesn't hate George Bush, but she hates his policies. She then went on to praise Baron Hill as one of the best Congressmen she's ever served with. She talked about how Baron Hill knew the difference between right and wrong and how could see right through Republican election year tactics of bringing up same-sex marriage and the like.

Baron Hill and President Clinton were then introduced. Baron Hill spoke for a couple of minutes. He said that President Clinton was the first Democratic President to come to a political event in Indiana since John F. Kennedy. Baron talked about how he had the privledge to support President Clinton's fiscal policy which resulted in balanced budgets, budget surpluses and tax cuts. But then the fiscal policy changed and the surpluses vanished and deficits ballooned.

Baron introduced the President who thanked the crowd for the warm welcome. He thanked various people in attendance, Joe Donnelly, Judy O'Bannon and Julia Carson.

President Clinton talked about how people ask him about his economic plans. It seems President Clinton the revolutionary idea of "arithmetic". "We had this dumb idea that if 2 and 2 was 4 in Little Rock and Indianapolis, it probably was in Washington." He said that he admires Baron Hill because even though in HS he was a track star, in Congress he was the marathon man, never giving up. President Clinton talked about how Hillary had come to Indiana in 1976 to campaign for Jimmy Carter. He talked about how the omlete principle should apply to Iraq, if you are given some eggs and you break them, it's your responsibility to try to make an omlete. It's our responsibilty to try to make democracy work in Iraq. He said he supported the Reid-Biden amendment to have some framework for a withdrawl.

President Clinton said that Washington Republicans are very different than the Republicans that you and I know, they're a narrow slice of the Republican Party that have been in control of the Government since 2001. In the 8 years that President Clinton was in office, the Democratic Party was dedicated to opportunity for every responsible citizen, an inclusive community and an America working with other country to build a world with peace, freedom, security and prosperity. We believe that the middle class is the key to the economic prosperity and our national greatness. We believe that we should be prepared to act alone, but whenever we can build relationships to work together. We believe in a government that is open and accountable. We believe that we must take some time to invest in our future. We believe that evidence is more important than ideology. We believe that compromise is an honorable thing. Consider the difference between that and the philosophy of the government since 2001. Their values are not equal opportunity, shared responsibilty and inclusive community. They believe in concentrated wealth and power in the hand of the right wing elite. They believe in a divided community in which both have been deprived. They believe that the key to economic growth and national greatness are the wealthiest Americans. In foreign policy, they believe we should act alone whenever we can because we're a great country and we got the juice. In politics, they favor ideology over evidence and attack over argument.

President Clinton talked about the 1% Solution, the theory that if there is even a 1% chance of something could happen you have to plan for it, and how people who subscribe to that theory call people like President Clinton "reality-based". The 1% Solution says that if you take action on that 1% you can change reality. Well that might be fine for something, but it shouldn't be a basis for everything. The people who believe this really do believe that concentrated wealth and power is a good thing. They believe that a secret unaccountable government is a good thing. They believe that we should be fully unencumbered by alliances and cooperative organizations as much as possible. They really do believe that ideology is more important than evidence.

President Clinton talked about how you can protect the environment and grow the economy. With regard to the tax break for alternative energy techology, he said that he told Newt Gingrich that one of his greatest accomplishments was finding a tax cut that he opposed.

President talked about how the deficits in our country are being financed by people we can't trust, China and Saudi Arabia. Yet these are the people who we're buying from hand over fist. He talked about the "Bill Clinton" tax cut (he calls it that because people in his tax bracket are the ones getting the tax cut) and how even though he supports the troops (and told a story of a friend who is a veteran with sons about to be deployed) he isn't supporting them because of the Bill Clinton tax cut. He talked about how supposedly one of the priorities of the Republicans was national security, yet they blocked the Democrat's attempt to invest in technology to scan every cargo container in our ports which would cost about $600mil. Yet the first priority of the Republicans was repealing the estate tax, which cost $200bil over 10 years. So we can afford to repeal the estate tax for 1% of the population, but we can't afford to protect 300 million American.

President Clinton then went into talking about how ridiculous the Medicare drug plan. It's illegal for Medicare to bargin with drug companies for bulk discounts, even though the Veteran's Administration and just about every major company does so.

When people say that Democrats don't stand for anything, don't believe it. It's hard for you to get the message out when the Republicans hold the White House, the House and the Senate.

This next election is about our children and grandchildren.

After President Clinton finished the mass of people crowded the rope line where he and Baron Hill shook hands. I was able to get my obligatory "across three people-no look-grab any hand" handshake.

I wanted to thank Chris for getting me and thank Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell for being welcoming at the table.

President Clinton works the ropeline

Baron Hill

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson

President Clinton greets a supporter

Five Questions with Joe Donnelly

2006-07-03T18:21:00.000-04:00

Two years ago Joe Donnelly waged a great campaign against incumbent Chris Chocola in the Indiana's 2nd Congressional District. Despite being on the losing side of a Republican wave, Joe only lost 54%-45% in an election year that saw Indiana lose the State House, the Governor's Mansion and the Indiana 9th.

Joe's back this year and given the current climate in Indiana, the Indiana 2nd is ripe for the picking.

Joe was gracious enough to answer Five Questions...

1. Why do you want to be a Congressman?

I want to be a Congressman because we need change in Washington. I will be an independent voice who will represent the people of the 2nd district - not the wealthy oil and pharmaceutical companies that have bought our Congress and are running our country. We need leaders who will stand up for good jobs, a better prescription drug plan for our seniors, and a real energy plan that will work to drive down skyrocketing gas prices.

2. You lost to Chris Chocola 54%-45% two years ago. What has changed in the last two years that makes you confident you'll win this year?

People across the district and across the country want change. They have had enough of the Washington style pay-to-play politics and policies that benefit only the wealthiest Americans. In the last two years, we have seen more jobs leaving Indiana, more seniors struggling to pay for the prescriptions they need to stay healthy, and more families struggling to fill up their gas tanks. As average Hoosiers struggle, the GOP controlled Congress continues to prove they are out of touch. The people of this district have had enough of these policies and will elect a Congressman who represents their values. I am confident I will win in November.

3. What is the biggest thing a Congressman can do for residents in the 2nd District?

The most important thing I will be able to do in Congress is to listen to the people and vote based on what I know is right. I will stand up for Hoosier values and represent the voters of the 2nd district, not party leaders or special interests.

4. What do you think is the worst bill to come out of the House in the past term? What do you think is the best bill?

Joe's still working on this question. I gotta admit it's not the easiest off the cuff answer. I'll update it when I get the answer.

5. What has been your best experience so far in the campaign?

My experience on the campaign trail has been encouraging and rewarding. What I enjoy most is meeting voters at their doors or out in the community. This is a diverse and interesting district and I learn more about what the voters want in their representative everyday.

News Items

2006-07-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

Thurgood Marshall Jr has joined All America PAC as a senior advisor. Marshall, son of the legendary Supreme Court Justice, has served as a cabinet member in the Clinton administration and was legistalative director to ex-VP Al Gore. National Journal's Hotline broke the story.

Maureen Groppe of Gannett News has written a story regarding bloggers supporting Sen Bayh. So far the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Indianapolis Star have run the story. Yours truly is mentioned in the article...

And OvalOffice2008.com is running a poll based on how many buttons have been purchased for various candidates. Sen Bayh is running second to....... Rep Matt Santos of NBC's The West Wing. To be perfectly honest, I'd probably vote for Santos of Sen Bayh too...

Five Questions with..........

2006-06-29T18:29:00.000-04:00

I'm going to try to start a new semi-regular feature, Five Questions with... where I ask 5 questions to various people in politics. I know it's not a very original idea or title, but hey, I'm a blogger, not a creative writer.

In any case, shortly I should have my first Five Questions up and we'll see how it goes.

PS... I'd like to thank Chris and Ryan for their support in my endeavour. BTW Chris, you more than just seem like a cool guy...

Everyone said there'd be days like these...

2006-06-27T18:46:00.000-04:00

As much as you like any candidate, there will be times when you disagree with him/her. Today is such a day. Today Sen Bayh cast a vote in favor of the Constitutional Amendment banning the desecration of the American Flag. That is a vote that I wholeheartedly disagree with.

As much as I abhor the desecration of the Flag, I also understand that one of the reasons I wore an Army uniform is to protect the freedoms that our Constitution provides to us, including the freedom to desecrate an American Flag.

I'm sorry Senator Bayh, but I can't agree with you on this vote.

Moments ago the Senators cast their votes. The Amendment failed 66-34, by 1 vote.

Let Freedom Ring.

Sen Bayh tours Katrina-ravaged Louisiana

2006-06-25T01:39:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh was the first out-of-state member of Congress to visit Katrina-ravaged Slidell LA on Friday. Sen Bayh was in Louisiana with a delegation invited by Sen Landrieu. Thanks to Paul Rioux at Healthcare for Peace for the description:

Nearly 10 months after Hurricane Katrina swamped southern Slidell, Mayor Ben Morris on Friday welcomed the first out-of-state Congress member to tour the damage: Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, who is considering a run for president in 2008.

“He’s the first one to come here, and I sure hope he won’t be the last,” said Morris, who has lamented that Slidell’s plight has been overshadowed by the devastation in New Orleans.
...
“I just want to help,” Bayh said. “That’s what neighbors are for.”
...
The tour also made stops at Salmen High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Before boarding a helicopter bound for New Orleans, Bayh said he was encouraged by signs of progress in Slidell.

“A lot of good work has been done, but there’s a lot more to do,” he said, adding that the federal government should play a continued role in the rebuilding process.

Bayh said he supports a proposal backed by Landrieu and other Louisiana lawmakers to give the state a share of offshore oil and gas revenue to finance projects to restore the state’s dwindling coastline and wetlands.

“We’re more than just a collection of 50 states; we’re one country,” he said.

Of course going there is one thing... doing something to help is another. That is why Sen Bayh is backing a plan to transfer up to 75% of off-shore drilling royalties from the Federal gov't to the Gulf Coast states to help in their rebuilding. WNOL-TV wrote this:

Louisiana U.S. Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu spent a day off from Capital Hill with friends in tow, Vitter, with Republican Senator George Allen of Virginia and Landrieu, with Democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana.
...
"This is more than just a test for Louisiana or for Mississippi, the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast is a test for America," said Bayh. "We need to be there for you at this critical hour."
...
The state congressional delegation is pushing for a new law that would give coastal states up to 75-percent of offshore energy royalties, now going to the federal government.

"There has always been strong support in the Senate. The last bill that we had, had 72 signatures on the bill," said Senator Landrieu. "But, we've had to get leadership to move. But, I'm here to say the republican leadership is poised to move."
...
"That deep sea exploration will be good for energy security for our country, but it will also for you all, not have to worry about an appropriation bill every year out of the Senate and it will allow people of Louisiana to use that money as they see as a priority," said Senator Allen.

"I support that as well, so that you can restore you wetlands to serve as the first line of defense, something Mary brought to my attention and I'm pleased to support," said Senator Bayh.
...
"You got two Democrats and two Republicans," said Senator Bayh. "Washington is too divided unfortunately, that's a fact. It's regrettable that it takes a natural disaster sometimes to bring us together."

Sen Bayh was one of only 15 Senators to vote to transfer funds from the Bridge to Nowhere to repair the Twin Spans Bridge connecting Slidell with New Orleans.

At the appropriate place, add the following: Section 144(g)(1) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``for the construction of a bridge joining the Island of Gravina to the community of Ketchikan in Alaska'' and inserting ``for the reconstruction of the Twin Spans Bridge connecting New Orleans, Louisiana, and Slidell, Louisiana'';

On a completely unrelated note... my long suffering Tigers have become the first team in the Majors to reach 50 wins with 2-out double in the 10th inning after scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie. Go Tigers!

Electability

2006-06-20T14:35:00.000-04:00

A new CNN poll is out... and it's confirming what we've been saying all along. Clinton, Kerry and Gore might be great Democrats and we might like them personally, but they won't be facing an uphill battle to win a general election, it'll be a climb up Everest.

The poll asked the question "Would you: Definately vote for, Consider vote for, or Definately vote against" various candidates (Sen Bayh wasn't one of them).

For the Republicans they chose Guiliani, McCain and Jeb Bush...

Guiliani got a 19% Definate for, 30% definate against and 45% consider
McCain got 12% definate for, 34% definate against and 48% consider
Jeb Bush got 9% definate for, 63% definate against and 26% consider

For the Dems they chose Clinton, Gore and Kerry and it didn't look pretty for any of them...

Clinton got 22% For, 47% against and 28% consider
Gore got 17% for, 48% against and 32% consider
Kerry got 14% for, 47% against and 35% consider

In all three cases, nearly half of all polled said they would definately not vote for the Democrat. Not a good sign guys... Not a good sign.

Which just shows that we need more fresh blood. We need someone who doesn't divide people, but rather unites them. Simply winning the same voters we won in 2004 is not going to be enough. This is why we need someone like Evan Bayh.

Fatherhood

2006-06-19T11:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Father's Day and I have to start by thanking my wife and kids for a great day. I got a new hammer (complete with "World's Best Daddy" written on it), a book to read (The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan) and an icecream cake (Yum!).

Also yesterday was an op-ed piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer written by Sen Bayh and Sen Obama. The op-ed piece focuses on absent fathers, how to get them more involved, how to help the ones that are truly trying and how to punish the ones that aren't.

Children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime. They are nine times more likely to drop out of school, five times more likely to commit suicide, and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. They are more likely to have behavioral problems, to run away from home, and to become teenage parents themselves.

So the question is: What do we do as a nation to solve this problem? How do we make sure that these boys start acting like men?

...

The American family is the foundation of our society, and strengthening that foundation is in the best interest of all of us, regardless of race, gender, class or political party. It is not a subject you may see reported on the nightly news or argued about on the Senate floor, but it is critical to many Americans struggling to raise their families.

As fathers ourselves, we know the tremendous pressures facing American families today. But our nation's future is only as secure as our children are, and promoting fatherhood is essential in making sure that every child has the chance to thrive. As we think about our own fathers and grandfathers, let this day mark the beginning of a new commitment to fatherhood in America - a commitment that brings families together and makes men of boys.

Fatherhood is one thing that has always been important to Sen Bayh. You can see it from his book, From Father to Son: A Private Life in the Public Eye, where he talks about growing up as the son of a famous father as well as raising his twin sons in the public spotlight. You can see it when he honors "Outstanding Hoosier Dads" who were nominated by their kids with essays (Congratulations to Dennis Mansfield of Fort Wayne and Frederick Richards of Churubusco who were among those honored). You can see it when he talks about his sons.

I am very proud of my father and I'm very proud to be a father.

I am also very proud to say that Sen Bayh truly understands the importance of fatherhood and is working to strengthen it.

Thank you Sen Bayh.

MSNBC on Mark Warner

2006-06-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

MSNBC has done another profile on potential 2008 contenders and this one was on Mark Warner.

IMNSHO (as are all my opinions) this article was much less kind than the one done on the Senator. First off, look at the title of the article - "Warner looks left, looks right, looks toward '08". The title to me says "Warner is looking to anyone who he can pander to for support in 2008".

The article does say some nice things about his accomplishments as Governor of Virginia, but then goes into his shortcomings.

Warner attended this years Yearly Kos, but wasn't well received.

“He’s not the favorite (of the bloggers). But I think he’s getting a good hearing, and I think it’s the fact that he was the first candidate to commit to a conference that nobody was taking seriously,” said Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, the founder of Daily Kos web site.

and

It was striking that in his speech to the Yearly Kos convention, when Warner discussed Iraq, he did not use the line that he used the previous weekend at the Democratic state party convention in Manchester N.H.: “Going out (of Iraq) without a plan is just as bad as going in without a plan.”

A Warner aide said the line was omitted because the Las Vegas speech was edited for length.

and

The Kos crowd remained silent when Warner said “we are all glad” to have seen al Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed last week by a U.S. air strike.

The crowd also sat silently during the part of Warner’s speech in which he discussed the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

On top of the luke warm response from the Kos crowd Tom Curry lists some unresolved questions about Warner:

Is one term as governor too thin a resume for a war-time presidential candidate?
How credible is Warner’s claim that he knows how to win in the South? After all, the northern Virginia counties of Arlington, Loudon and Fairfax, and the city of Alexandria, where Warner did so well in the 2001 election (far outperforming Al Gore’s showing in those same places in the 2000 election), are culturally indistinguishable from the suburbs of Chicago or Denver, partly because so many non-Virginians like Warner have moved there.
Is Warner vulnerable to the charge that he is too calculating in becoming whatever voters want him to become?

Bayh on Road to the White House

2006-06-16T15:56:00.000-04:00

Bayh on Road to the White House? Is he thinking of running for President or something? Hmpf...

Anyways... Sen Bayh's Depauw University commencement address will be featured on C-SPAN's Road to the White House on Sunday evening. You'll have 3 opportunities to catch it, 6pm EDT, 9:30pm EDT and 12:30am EDT. And then if you still haven't seen it, C-SPAN usually has it on it's website in a couple of days.

The Cult of Kos

2006-06-12T14:41:00.000-04:00

I'm going to say right off the bat, I'm not a fan of Kos.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate everything he's done to stimulate the Democratic Party. I love it when the left gets motivated! But he seems to have forgotten the warning that Uncle Ben gave his nephew Peter: "With great power comes great responsibility."

Kos and his band of merry men seem to make it a sport to try to tear down any Democrat who doesn't fit the mold they've established. If you don't think the same way they do in any number of different areas then you aren't a "true Democrat".

Ana Marie Cox wrote an article in the recent issue of Time... Inside the Cult of Kos... it's worth a read.

Kos says he doesn't care what other people think of him (not true, imnsho). Well in my opinion that's a problem. Like or not he's a leader now. And as a leader you have to act responsibly and not say things like:

Let the people see what war is like. This isn't an Xbox game. There are real repercussions to Bush's folly.
That said, I feel nothing over the death of merceneries. They aren't in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.

when US citizens are murdered and their burnt bodies hung from a bridge.

I'm a moderate. The Democratic Party is about inclusion, not exclusion. I'm sure I believe 90% of the same things Kos does, but I consider myself a moderate. I don't believe we should pull out troops out now. I don't believe that Bush should be impeached unless we have ironclad concrete proof he's violated a law. I believe Evan Bayh, Harold Ford and other moderate Democrats ARE good Democrats. Because I believe those things I don't fit into Kos's Democratic Party. That's sad.

The Democratic Party is America's last, best hope to bridge the divisions of class, race, region, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We will succeed if we continue to govern by the same principles that have made America the greatest nation on earth — the principles of strength, inclusion and opportunity.

Contenders and Pretenders - Iowa polls

2006-06-12T13:29:00.000-04:00

The Des Moines Register had it's first poll of the '08 season and it yielded some surprises.

Who is the front runner for the nomination? Better not crown Hillary just yet because it was fmr. Senator John Edwards who finished first in the poll. Hillary was second followed by Kerry and Vilsack. Polls this early in the campaign are just a guage of name recognition. All 4 of those people should have no problem with name recognition in Iowa. That being said it's gotta be hard for the Kerry and Vilsack camps to have such a poor showing. Kerry won Iowa in 2004, and now he finished 3rd. Vilsack's spin is trying to claim that he hasn't campaigned yet in Iowa so "No Iowan has had that opportunity with Tom Vilsack at this point..." Uhhh... come again? He's been their frackin' governor for the last 8 years! This poll clearly showed that even Iowans don't want Vilsack as President.

As for the rest of the field... Everyone else is going to need some serious cash to buy some name recognition in Iowa. The question is who has the cash and who has the ability to raise the cash. Obviously Hillary has it. Bayh has it, at last count ~$10mil in his campaign account and another $1mil in his PAC account, and we also know he's been working his ass off putting supporters in line. Warner's PAC is raising a lot of cash, but the PAC money can't be converted to Presidential Campaign money so that may be a problem, but I don't think he'll have any problems. That leaves Biden, Dodd, Feingold, Clark and Richardson (did I leave someone out?). While Feingold may be the darling of the Kos-ites, he only gathered 3% in the Register poll. Hardly close to the 40% he regularly gathers in Kos's polls. Kos may be able to raise some money for him, but will Feingold be able to match the cash totals of Sen Clinton and Sen Bayh? Personally I doubt it.

For the record...

John Edwards - 30%
Hillary Clinton - 26%
John Kerry - 12%
Tom Vilsack - 10%
Tom Daschle - 3%
Russ Feingold - 3%
Mark Warner - 3%
Evan Bayh - 2%
Wesley Clark - 2%
None/Other - 3%
Not Sure - 6%
+/- 4.9%

Bayh in NH

2006-06-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Ryan at AAP for keeping us updated on the Senator's trip...

So far he's talked about his vote on the estate tax:

Bayh said that when the federal budget was in surplus, he voted to eliminate the death tax “because it does hit small businesses and farmers. People have to pay a lot to take out insurance policies so that the business can stay in the family.”

Bayh said the Bush administration or its successor must develop “a plan to restore our nation’s finances so we can make the investments we need and begin to reform the tax code in ways that will make it better, like repealing the death tax.”

Zarqawi:

Bayh called the death of Iraqi terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi “a step in the right direction” in the war on terrorism, but said, “He’s only one bad person.”

He said the U.S. must eliminate Zarqawi’s entire network in Iraq, but “even then, al-Qaida in Iraq is only a small part of the problem.”

Future of the US in Iraq:

Bayh said he fears that the United States “may still be there in force” when the next President takes office in 2009.

“We have to do better than that,” he said, by pressuring feuding Iraqi factions to reconcile and unify.

“If (feuding Iraqi factions) don’t want to live in the same country together, there’s nothing we can do about that,” he said.’

He said the United States must “focus like a laser on the security situation so that they can provide for their own, so that we don’t have to,” he said.

“We need to leave Iraq,” he said. “We need to leave it in a way that makes it as stable as we possibly can.”

And NH's role in the primary process:

Bayh was the first potential Presidential candidate to clearly oppose a Democratic National Committee move to place additional caucuses between Iowa’s leadoff caucus and the New Hampshire primary in 2008. The proposal is now being weighed by the DNC’s rules committee.

“I don’t have a representative on that committee,” Bayh said. “Obviously, I can share my opinion with them. I have done that, and I’m willing to do that again.

He said if the proposal goes before the full DNC, he will also “share my opinion” with Indiana’s DNC members, and, “hopefully they will take it into account in terms of how they are going to vote.”

John DiStaso from the Union Leader is providing great coverage.

The Trouble with Telemarketing

2006-06-09T15:26:00.000-04:00

Matt Tully of the Star had a very humourous column today...

I say not only because is was the Indiana Republican Party that was on the receiving end of it, but because it was just plain old funny. I sure if it was the Democrats who'd committed the faux pax it'd still be funny... just not as much so.

Anyways... For those of you who don't know... Matt Tully is the political columnist for the Indianapolis Star. Well it seems that the Indiana Republican Party send his work number along with all the other "supporters" numbers to a telemarketer in Wisconsin. So the telemarketer proceeded to call Matt up to try to get some money out of him. Matt, being the intrepid reporter that his is, let the poor sap go through his schpeel. Hilarity ensues.

But back to my new friend Lawrence. As he worked for my $600, I asked if he could name Indiana's House speaker.
"I don't know," he said.
Then I asked a question about Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton. Lawrence had never heard of him.
He did, however, know the name of the Colts' quarterback.
"Come on," he said. "You know it's Peyton Manning."

Matt finished the column by telling us he asked the Indiana Republican Party about the call. The Indiana Republican Party fired the telemarketing company.

Bayh favors eliminating Estate Tax ONLY when Budget is under control

2006-06-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

The next thing on the agenda is another pet project for the Republican Party, the Estate Tax.

It seems the Republicans are bound and determined to give the wealthy every opportunity to shirk taxes, even when we are experiencing severe budget deficits.

Sen Bayh, who voted for repealing the estate tax in 2001 when we had a budget surplus, has issued a statement saying that he will oppose repealing it this time around.

During times of surplus, I’ve voted to eliminate the estate tax. Unfortunately, today we face mounting deficits and would be forced to borrow more money from China and ask our children to pay it back with interest. That is not a responsible course.

Bravo! I really can't understand why the basic concept of budgetting is completely foreign to most Republicans. They claim they are for fiscal responsibility, yet in a time of severe budget deficits they are constantly raising expenditures while reducing income.

That is something that Sen Bayh has always been, fiscally responsible. Well done Senator.

UPDATE:
The Senate rejected the cloture motion to end debate on the Estate Tax repeal 57-41. Democrats who voted for cloture: Baucus (MT), Lincoln (AR), Nelson (FL), and Nelson (NE). Republicans who voted against cloture: Chafee (RI) and Voinovich (OH). Rockefeller (WV) and Schumer (NY) didn't vote.

Slight of Hand

2006-06-08T09:54:00.000-04:00

Note: I wrote this yesterday, but Blogspot was having problems...

Republicans are the master of this and we are witness to it again today in the Senate. Instead of dealing with the critical issues of the day (Iraq, Homeland Security, Health Care, Energy or Disaster Preparedness), the President and Senate Leadership want to debate Gay Fracking Marriage.

Please. Is there an issue that is LESS important? Not only is it not important, it's a dead issue. The GOP leadership can't get 50 votes in the Senate, much less the 67 votes needed to pass a Constitutional Amendment.

They say they're protecting the sanctity of marriage.

First off I have a problem with the Government protecting the sanctity of anything. Sanctity is defined as "holiness". Since when did our government start protecting the holiness of things? When did our government start decided what was holy and what wasn't?

Secondly, do we really need to protect the institution of marriage? Seriously, according to the Census Bureau, there are on average 2.2 million marriages performed in the country each year. On average there 54%-57% of adults in the US are married. Do we really need to protect something this prolific? I heard someone compare it to the EPA putting crabgrass on the endangered species list.

Fourthly, if they were truly interested in protecting the sanctity of marriage they really try to protect it. Outlaw divorce or make marriage harder. In September of 2005, there were over 70,000 divorces in the US (not counting a half dozen states that didn't report them).

Finally, if your marriage is hurt by two people exchanging rings and pledging to love each other, then perhaps the problem isn't with the gay people getting married, but maybe the problem is in your own marriage. I've been married for coming up on 10 years now and NEVER has anyone else's marriage affected the way I feel towards my wife and the way she feels towards me.

Update:
Well the Senate voted on the cloture motion of end debate and vote on the Amendment. They needed 60 votes to invoke cloture. They got 49. Yes this is a good use of the Senate's time.

Bayh in New Hampshire

2006-06-05T16:54:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh will be travelling to New Hampshire to support local Democrats there... *wink*wink*nudge*nudge*

If you happen to be in the area... here's his schedule:

The Carrol County Democrats will be holding their 11th annual Grover Cleveland dinner on Friday June 9th. The doors open at 5:30 with dinner at 7. The event will be located at The Grand Summit Hotel, Rte. 302, in Bartlett, NH, and the cost is $40 per person. Visit the Carrol County Democrats website to print out an invitation.

Carrol County Democrats

On Saturday, June 10th, Senator Bayh will speak at a reception honoring State Senator Iris Estabrook in Rollinsford, NH. The event is slated to begin at 10:30, and is being hosted by the Strafford County Democrats.

For RSVP information, please visit the Strafford County Democrats website.

Also on Saturday June 10th, Senator Bayh will attend a campaign kickoff event with Molly Kelly, the State Senate district 10 candidate. The event will be held in the Keene City Green Gazebo on Main St. in Keene, NH and will begin at 4:30.

Return of Liberal Fundamentalism

2006-06-03T17:43:00.000-04:00

Democrats are rightly enthusiastic about the opportunities afforded in this fall's midterm elections to recapture control of Congress and reverse the narrow Republican advantage of the last two electoral cycles. But there's an undertow that could undermine the potential Democratic tide: efforts by some Democratic activists and organizations to introduce ideological litmus tests for elected officials and intimidate or even purge those who do not meet a narrow definition of what makes a "real Democrat." These efforts not only threaten party unity and divert attention and resources from the broader goal of defeating Republicans; they also signal an intolerance toward dissent and diversity that can repel voters and make an enduring Democratic majority more difficult to achieve.

This phenomenon is best illustrated by the nationally driven campaign to deny re-nomination to Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), with MoveOn.org and Democracy for America (an organization founded by DNC chairman Howard Dean and now run by his brother, Jim) playing an especially active role in recruiting money and volunteers for the challenger, Ned Lamont.

We deplore this purge effort because Joe Lieberman is an outstanding and respected U.S. Senator. He is a man of utmost integrity who speaks and governs by his values and principles, even when they lead him against the popular tide -- as he did when he went to Mississippi to fight for civil rights in 1964. He is a man who always puts his country above his party or his personal interests. Those are qualities we should cherish, not disdain, in today's far too polarized politics. We need more, not fewer, people with Joe Lieberman's character in the Democratic Party.

Lieberman served as DLC chairman for six years, handing over the gavel to Sen. Evan Bayh after the 2000 presidential elections. But opposition to this kind of intra-party purge is also a matter of tradition for us: One of the major reasons for the DLC's founding in 1985 was to resist what we called "liberal fundamentalism," a conformist tendency to stifle dissent among Democrats and require adherence to litmus tests devised by interest groups and ideological advocates. The Democratic Party today is far more unified in its basic values and policy positions than it was two decades ago, and also urgently needs to expand its electoral and geographical base. There's less of an excuse than ever to indulge in liberal fundamentalism, litmus tests, intimidation of dissenters, and purges, and much more to lose from shrinking the party's big tent.

But that's exactly what the national movement to purge Joe Lieberman represents. Comparing him to apostates like Zell Miller is crazy. As Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid points out in a recent letter endorsing him, the most recent independent analysis of Lieberman's voting record shows him in solidarity with Democrats 90 percent of the time, about the same as Reid's own record. He's a recognized leader among progressives on issues ranging from the environment and labor to taxation and fiscal policy. He was a loyal partner of Al Gore's in the bitter 2000 presidential election, less than six years ago.

Some Lieberman foes, dubbing him "Holy Joe," are angry at him for championing the _expression of religious faith in the public square, and for standing up against corporate-sponsored trash culture on behalf of families struggling to control their kids' values and upbringing. But his main sin appears to be his staunch and very consistent belief that the war in Iraq was and is right, even if that means occasional agreement with a Bush administration that he criticizes on almost every other issue.

As it happens, we don't agree with Lieberman's views on Iraq in every particular, but we respect his point of view. It is especially odd that some liberal activists who are forever telling Democrats they should stand up for their principles without regard to polls and fashions are now determined to purge this senator for doing exactly that, as part of a divisive intra-party revisiting of the original war resolution. That's why Harry Reid said of Lieberman: "Very few people I've known in my lifetime are as principled and decent as Joe Lieberman. I don't agree on every position he takes, but he has an unquestionable commitment to the progressive principles that make our Party great."

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, whose liberal credentials no one could doubt, has also endorsed Lieberman despite a strong difference of opinion over Iraq, saying: "We must focus on the vast number of differences we have with our Republican opponents. While you may not agree with Joe on everything, he is truly a leader on women's rights, the environment, education, health care and so many other issues that concern our families and define our party."

Sen. Hillary Clinton was even more blunt about Lieberman's value to the Democratic Party: "We have the chance to put Democrats in control of the Senate and the House, to curb the excesses of one party Republican rule and hold Republicans accountable for their actions. Keeping Joe Lieberman in the Senate is an important part of that victory plan."

In many respects, the purge-Lieberman movement is more a test for its proponents than for its object. Internet-based liberal activists have a lot to offer the Democratic Party: energy, fundraising prowess, a commitment to open debate, and a healthy skepticism about the orthodox liberal interest groups and consultants who rarely look beyond the Beltway.

But if they want to be a serious and permanent element in progressive politics, they should resist the temptation to indulge themselves in mean-spirited vengeance against Democrats like Joe Lieberman who proudly defend the Clinton legacy and warn against counter-polarization as the sole answer to Karl Rove's polarization strategy. And they should understand the signal that the effort to purge Lieberman sends to voters with serious doubts about the party, especially on the national security and cultural issues he is so identified with.

Sen. Barack Obama perfectly captured the dangers of liberal fundamentalism last fall, in a diary he posted on the DailyKos blog site, a hotbed of anti-Lieberman sentiment:

[T]o the degree that we brook no dissent within the Democratic Party, and demand fealty to the one, "true" progressive vision for the country, we risk the very thoughtfulness and openness to new ideas that are required to move this country forward. When we lash out at those who share our fundamental values because they have not met the criteria of every single item on our progressive "checklist," then we are essentially preventing them from thinking in new ways about problems. We are tying them up in a straightjacket and forcing them into a conversation only with the converted.

Beyond that, by applying such tests, we are hamstringing our ability to build a majority.

We couldn't agree more. A party with no room for Joe Lieberman -- or for that matter, such occasionally lonely dissenters on the left as Russ Feingold or Bernie Sanders -- is a party with no prospects for a majority. It's the worst possible time for Democrats to make that choice.

Orginally published at New Dem Dispatch, June 2, 2006

Reception for Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill

2006-06-02T08:45:00.000-04:00

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a reception in honor of 3 of Indiana's Congressional candidates. Joe Donnelly who is challenging for the 2nd District seat, Brad Ellsworth who is challenging for the 8th District seat and Baron Hill who is trying to take back his 9th District seat. All three are hotly contested races which are getting national attention.

Senator Bayh and his All America PAC served as the host for this evening's event. He thanked everyone for supporting All America PAC which gave him the opportunity to support quality candidates. Supporting All America PAC also gave him to opportunity to travel to such exotic locations such as Iowa... and Iowa... and Iowa. The Senator gave a brief introduction and then introduced each candidate.

The Senator talked about how we needed Joe, Brad and Baron to combat the divisiveness that plagues Congress and Washington as a whole.

First up was Baron Hill. Baron Hill was elected to Congress in Indiana's 9th District in 1998 and served for 3 terms before being ousted in the 2004 Indiana Republican Landslide. The Baron is Back!

Baron talked about how nasty politics can be and how we need to work to rise above that. Baron's a good man and the hatchet job of a campaign that was run against him in '04 is a shame. Baron needs to be vindicated.

Senator Bayh next introduced Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth.

Brad is the current Sheriff of Vanderburgh County in southern Indiana (Indiana's 3rd largest city, Evansville, is in Vanderburgh County) and has been in the Sheriff's Department for 24 years. In 1998 he ran for Sheriff of Vanderburgh County and won in a landslide. 4 years later he ran again unopposed.

Brad talked about how he's proud of the fact that when someone needs his help in Vanderburgh County, they pick up the phone and call for help and as Sheriff he responds. Being a Congressman is no different, people are still looking for help and he wants to be the one to help them.

Finally Senator Bayh spoke about Joe Donnelly, who is running for the 2nd District seat.

Joe is running for the 2nd time for the 2nd District seat. In '04 he competed very well in his first campaign for office, coming up just short in a year that saw Democrats get defeated on all levels in Indiana (Notable exception of course was our own Senator Bayh). This year Joe is back and more determined than ever.

Joe talked about how his opponent has already turned negative running a negative TV commercial in May. Joe noted that this commercial came out just after there was a Republican poll conducted in the area. Is the fact that they've already started to attack him a sign that their poll wasn't to their liking? You be the judge.

Following the remarks by the three candidates there was lots of general schmoozing.

Fmr Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett (We miss you Joe!), Bob McKinney of Bose, McKinney and Evans and Joe Donnelly

Senator Bayh speaks with Brad Ellsworth

Baron Hill and Joe Donnelly talk strategy

Brad and Beth Ellsworth

Senator Bayh

You can view more pictures from the reception on Flickr. A special thanks to Chris for getting me in the door and to Katie from the Donnelly campaign and Abby from the Hill campaign for making me feel welcome there.

BBC's take on '08 contenders...

2006-06-01T15:41:00.000-04:00

I always like to look at the international media to get a fresh perspective on US politics... the BBC has posted their review of '08 contenders. Here's what they have to say about Sen Bayh:

Who is he? Two-term senator from the solidly Republican state of Indiana in the Midwest, and its governor for eight years before that.

Why take him seriously? On the (as-yet undeclared) campaign trail in the key state of Iowa, he has emphasised his ability to win over voters in traditionally Republican states - which any Democrat hoping to capture the White House must do. Liberals are likely to respond well to his voting against Bush nominees to the Supreme Court, and conservatives may appreciate his principled defence of the Iraq war.

What's going to stand in his way? Sen Bayh does not set crowds alight with his passion, to put it mildly. His style has been described by admirers as folksy - and by critics as ho-hum, nondescript and boring.

Did you know? Evan Bayh's father Birch Bayh also represented Indiana in the Senate, from 1963 to 1981.

Obviously they're still working using the old Sen Bayh profile and haven't seen him recently...

NAY I say!

2006-05-26T10:50:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh showed that he holds civil liberties dear by casting his vote in opposition of Gen Hayden's nomination for CIA Chief. Sen Bayh was one of only 15 Senators to vote No.
Of course undoubtably those on the right will call him an ultra-liberal while those on the left will continue to claim that he is a Republican in Democratic clothing.

He's neither. He's a moderate Democrat who believes we don't have to trade liberty for security.

Bayh and the Bloggers

2006-05-24T09:59:00.000-04:00

Senator Bayh met with about a dozen Indiana-area bloggers on Monday to talk to them directly. IMNSHO the Senator needs to do more of this and often. The mainstream media may be where a majority of the public gets their information... but they're not the ones who generate buzz about a candidacy. It's the blogosphere. We can see the evidence of that by looking at the presumptive candidacy of Sen Feingold. Feingold is liberal, or rather he's LIBERAL. Personally I don't think that's a bad thing, I think Sen Feingold is a great Senator. But President, I don't think so. But look at any online poll out there and Sen Feingold will be at the top, most notably DailyKos.

The Blogosphere won't break a candidate... it won't make a candidate either. 3 years ago the blogosphere was all a twitter about Gov Dean and that propelled him to the front of the race for the nomination. But it couldn't sustain him. A healthy candidacy needs to capture the imagination of the Blogosphere as well as do all the things a conventional candidate does.

Ok... I seem to have strayed a little bit from my orginal topic... Monday's Blogger's Luncheon. As fate would have it, I was unable to get off of work to attend (I'm still rather peeved... Brian, Andy and Chris!). Advance Indiana, In The Agora, Bilerico, Indiana Barrister, Left of Centrist, Taking Down Words, Fort Wayne Observed, Indiana Blog Review, Indiana Progressives, Shakespeare's Sister , Torpor Indy , Reverent and Free and HoosierPlew...

I'm not going to go into a review of the meeting, it would be presumptuous of me to assume I could do a better job than the above bloggers did, especially considering I wasn't even there. But I think it's outstanding that the Senator would take time out of his day to meet with us. Shows he's forward thinking.

As a side note... at least one member of the MSM is maybe a little jealous... WISH-TV's Jim Shella...

Noticing a trend...

2006-05-22T13:23:00.000-04:00

I've been noticing a trend with people writing about their experiences at a Bayh event. More often than not the writer tells how it was his first experience seeing Senator Bayh in person and how he was pleasantly surprised with the Senator. Most recently it was The Jackal of The Woodbury Democrat:

I wasn’t prepared to be so impressed.

I figured Evan Bayh had something going for him. He had served two terms as governor of Indiana and was easily re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 even though President Bush clobbered Kerry in the state. But I thought a large part of his career might stem solely from being the son of a political icon, Birch Bayh, who served in the U.S. Senate and ran for president in 1976.

But Evan Bayh made the most of his first impression in Sioux City Saturday night, speaking as part of the Woodbury County Democratic Party’s Truman Club.

He played to the crowd, pointing out that he knows things have reached bottom because the other day he saw a “Never Thought I'd Miss Nixon” bumper sticker. He came across as more of a political heavyweight than namesake lightweight as he explained his stance on issues from Medicare to national security to Iraq. And there was no question that he has the charisma for the national stage.
...
And the best news for Bayh is that he accomplished his mission Saturday. Most people left the gathering impressed. It would not be hard to imagine Bayh on the national ticket.

He's not the first one to say similiar things... Brad Levinson at the AIPAC Dinner:

But I was truly, pleasantly surprised by Evan Bayh. Before I saw him speak, I've gotta say that I thought he wouldn't get anywhere in the primaries. After this, i feel like I've truly got to re-evaluate.
...
What struck me the most was his polished presence. Eye contact, correct hand gestures, and a really natural feel to his delivery. Even when the stage lights went out and the lighting staff had to put up intense exit lights directly onto him, he didn't flinch. Elizabeth, my girlfriend didn't even notice that technical difficulties had occurred because Bayh didn't hesitate for a second on continuing his speech. He remained completely uninterrupted.
...
Most importantly -- he stayed. Greeted people as we were all walking out, took pictures, everything. He shook my hand, and I told him that I could very well wear my "Bayh! 2008" after that speech. "Bless your heart," he replied.

CH Truth at Coldheartedtruth:

Yesterday I watched Indiana Senator Evan Bayh on Fox News Sunday. Bayh (who is running for the Democratic nomination) was a breath of fresh air in a party that usually has me choking on their collective fumes. He was just so refreshingly un-shrill about pretty much every subject that Chris Wallace brought up that it made me wonder if he is really a Democrat?

Chris Woods at Polical Forecast:

Oh, and let me pass along this little bit of gossip and say that the House Democrats were very impressed with Sen. Bayh. Though I’m sure they were before his arrival because of his 21st Century Scholars program which they want to emulate in Iowa.

Andre at Georgia Politics Unfiltered:

Finally came the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, where Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) was the keynote speaker. There are several articles in the papers about his speech, last night, and I can honestly say that Sen. Bayh sounded like a man running for President and he impressed me. He gave about a 30 to 45-minute speech without using any notes or a teleprompter. Now I know when we're talking about being President, the ability to give a speech "off the cuff" is meaningless, but I'm going to keep an eye on Sen. Bayh because I could see him with a spot on the national Democratic ticket.

GTTIM at Better Inhale Deeply:

Evan Bayh gave the Keynote Address. Wow! Very impressive. First he spoke highly of Max Cleland, telling how days after "that disgusting and horrible" election battle with Saxby Chamblis, Max asked for permission to come speak with Bayh. Bayh wanted to tell him how sorry he felt for him. Cleland wanted to talk about how Bayh could prevent that from happening to him and any other Democrat in the future.

Bayh discussed running against the GOP by confronting them on national security, the budget and values. He feels we can win by attacking them on these. He sold me, and is my top primary contender right now. He spoke about how Georgia and Indiana are very similar and how he won by a higher percentage in 2004 than Bush did. I think he is nailing it.

Camp Evan Bayh

2006-05-17T16:00:00.000-04:00

What a busy weekend… This past weekend saw two great events for us political junkies in Indiana.

First was Camp Evan Bayh. Senator Bayh’s All America PAC established Camp Bayh as a means to train campaign workers to take back Indiana and the rest of the country. It was a three day workshop which taught all the important facets of campaigning. There were three different tracks in Camp Bayh, one for future candidates, one for veteran campaigners and one for future professional campaigners. I chose the future professional.

The future professional track started off with training on how to develop your campaign plan and message on Friday night. On Saturday, it focused on fundraising, earned media (setting up press conferences/media events), volunteer recruitment, election law and how to handle crisis situations. It also featured a presentation on the Camp Bayh Full Immersion program… more on that in a sec.

At the end of the day on Saturday Senator Bayh came and spoke to us. He remarks were actually short and then he opened it up to questions. The questions ranged from personal (Did Susan and the boys come?) to the current NSA dustup to state rights vs Federal Gov’t. Sen Bayh kept answering questions until he was running late, even after they were telling him it was time to go. “Nyah, I got time for a couple more questions…”

After the Senator’s Q&A, I high-tailed it over to the Indiana State Jefferson Jackson dinner, which was the second event of the weekend. I’m not going to go into detail about that because I already did once for All America PAC’s blog. I’ll just say I had a great time. Thanks Chris!

Sunday’s Camp Bayh was more about campaigning… How to canvas a neighborhood, what it’s like to be on a campaign, how to run phone banks and GOTV.

All in all it was an outstanding experience. I would encourage anyone who is able to sign up for the next Camp Bayh in South Bend from July 7-9.

The other really exciting thing they talked about was the Camp Bayh Full Immersion program. All America PAC will select 50 people to go through this program. The program consists of a 2nd 4-Day workshop followed by a 3 month paid internship in an important campaign somewhere across the country. Following the internship there will be a 2 day debriefing/job fair with Senator Bayh to get you started on your new political career. Wow. I only wish I was 10-15 years younger… I’d be all over that like… well I’d be all over it for sure.

Bayh and China... part deux

2006-05-11T12:43:00.000-04:00

Last November the Treasury Department warned China that they didn't meet the technical definition of a currency manipulator, but if they didn't shape up and make some changes they would next go around...

Well 6 months later and what has China done? Not a whole lot. But rather than piss China off for screwing us over... the Treasury Department again declined to add China to the list of currency manipulators. If they say that China has made "far too little progress", why don't they do something rather than just shaking their finger at them and telling them to shape up. It's like when I tell my 8yr old to clean her room and she doesn't. What am I going to do, ground her or just sigh and say that I hope she does it next time?

Sen Bayh picked up on this again and came out swinging... From Bloomberg:

Evan Bayh, Democratic Senator from Indiana, said Treasury's report ``flies in the face of the reality experienced by workers and businesses'' and accused the administration of being soft on China because it's the second-biggest holder of U.S. debt.

Couple of notes...

2006-05-08T10:45:00.000-04:00

Couple of items from the weekend... There was a story in the Star about Sen Bayh lending a hand in Iowa and how they're grateful for his help...

When Bayh makes his fourth trip in 10 months to Iowa on May 19-20, much of his time will be spent serving as a draw at fundraisers for Reasoner, Shomshor and the Democratic organizations in the Des Moines and Sioux City areas.

...

Reasoner and Shomshor said their fundraisers came about after Bayh's last visit to Iowa, when he offered to help state House Democrats get the majority.

"Senator Bayh is the first of the potential (presidential) candidates who has asked to come to my part of the state," said Reasoner, who does not yet have a Republican opponent.

Which led to the question, who else is Bayh doing favors for? Looking at the most recent FEC filing for All America PAC we see donations to the following:

Leonard Boswell - IA 3rd District Challenger
Robert Byrd - WV Senate
Bob Casey - PA Senate Challenger
Kent Conrad - ND Senate
Brad Ellsworth - IN 8th District Challenger
Harold Ford Jr - TN Senate Challenger
Baron Hill - IN 9th District Challenger
Paul Hodes - NH 2nd District Challenger
David Loebstack - IA 2nd District Challenger
Claire McCaskill - MO Senate Challenger
Bill Nelson - FL Senate
NJ State Democratic Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Congressional Black Caucus PAC

Senate challengers (racking up favors for future Senate colleagues), Indiana races and Iowa and NH races. Very nice...

The other news o' the day was a letter that Sen Bayh issued to the Chairman and ranking Dem on the Armed Services Committee requesting additional funding to SOCOM, Special Operations Command, to get another squadron of Predator UAVs.

Boosting Socom's intelligence-gathering capabilities should be one of the top priorities, said U.S. Sen.Evan Bayh, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee's emerging threats and capabilities panel.

In an April 28 letter to the chairman and senior Democrat on the committee, Bayh said additional moneywould pay for a second squadron of Predator unmanned aerial vehicles.

...

Socom's senior leaders also have said they need more special operations forces, Bayh's letter said, and he has asked the committee to determine how many more commandos are needed to handle future requirements.

"I am concerned there are regions and countries that might be stable today, but could become critical areas in the war on terrorism in the future, including in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia," Bayh wrote.

If we continue to back down from the national security debate, the myth that Democrats are weak in defense will never be exposed. To steal a quote...

"Bring it on!"

Bayh and Labor

2006-05-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

National Journal has a nice overview of Sen Bayh's relationship with organized labor. Contrary to the beliefs of some in the blogosphere (*cough*cough*Sirota*cough*), Bayh is not the anti-Christ supporting Free Trade and shunning organized labor. On the contrary, the labor movement leaders think very highly of him...

Some highlights...

In discussions with reporters and union leaders, Bayh comes off sounding like an eager student of labor history who's just aced his final exam. Over the past year, he's met privately with the heads of at least a dozen major unions in both the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win coalition. There's another dinner planned for May 24. He's developed a labor-friendly stump speech that regularly receives applause. His outreach effort was "spearheaded by and with advice from his long time friends in labor," an adviser said.

...

Bayh's career AFL-CIO rating is 91. And his solidarity with labor extends to those public employee unions who've become the DLC's biggest bugbears. He's scored a perfect 100 rating from the American Federation of Teachers for three consecutive legislative cycles. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, as of 2004, gave Bayh a 90 percent rating.

...

Here's Bayh, speaking before the UAW: "We ought to slap a countervailing tariff on all the products coming out of China and level that playing field to do right by our working men and women." For one well-known labor-connected adviser to presidential rival, that line was astonishing. "It was an enormous leap for him on trade," said this person. "Before that speech, he was basically a free trader."

...

Bayh traces his bonds with labor to 1980, the year his father lost his Senate seat to Dan Quayle. Speaking to the United Auto Workers in Washington earlier this year, he recalled his father's visit to a local Ford parts plant on a chilly November morning after his father's defeat. "You know, this is kind of a walk down memory lane for me," he told the labor crowd. "Several of the Hoosiers here on my way in said, 'Evan, we love your father, and I said, 'me too!' My father â€¦ would be the first one to say, he never would have had that opportunity if I it hadn't been for the UAW." The UAW and other unions provided critical support to Bayh's gubernatorial election. He reciprocated in office. Bayh recalls a promotional banner at a Terre Haute, IN airport touting Indiana's super-low workers' compensation rates. The anecdote now features in Bayh's stump speech to labor.

...

This year's UAW legislative conference in Washington was sober. The union has been locked in a no-win battle with GM and other companies. But Bayh had an easy time with the audience, dropping the names of at least a dozen Indiana and national labor leaders during the first two minutes of his speech. (Every union official interviewed for this article referred nonchalantly to the senator as "Evan," as if he were no less one of the guys than an assembly like worker named Mike Shamansky.) Bayh paused at several points to rope in the dignitaries as valuators. "Mike, do you remember that?" he said of Republican efforts to overturn Davis-Bacon laws. "Hey Tommy, do you remember that?" he said to an Indiana labor leader who supported his executive order as IN GOV to allow the state's workers to bargain collectively . The union members gave him a standing ovation when he finished.

The Fix's Friday Line

2006-05-05T10:50:00.000-04:00

Chris Cillizza offers his analysis of the '08 election again... He says that the Dems have as many as 7-8 contenders, while the Republicans only have about 3.

The Fix says that John McCain, George Allen and Mitt Romney are the three contenders for the GOP, with Frist, Huckabee, Brownback, Hagel, Pataki and Mark Sanford listed as also rans. He does note that Guiliani is getting close to jumping in and if he does he'll vault into the contender status.

For the Dems, he has the usual top 5... Hillary, Edwards, Kerry, Warner and of course Evan Bayh. Here's his take on Sen Bayh.

The Fix's dark horse in the presidential field, Indiana's Evan Bayh is working as hard as any other candidate in terms of his travel schedule and getting face time with key donors. He's also less conservative and less dull than most people think. Plus, Bayh will end 2006 with at least $10 million (and probably several million more) in his Senate campaign account, which he can transfer directly to a presidential committee. Bayh's challenge is to win, place or show in the '08 Iowa caucuses, since he has a natural geographic appeal there and has already been spending considerable time courting the state's voters. If Bayh doesn't make a strong showing in Iowa, it's hard to see how he stays competitive in New Hampshire and beyond. (Of course, it remains to be seen what state or states will be added by the Democratic National Committee to hold their primaries between Iowa and New Hampshire -- an X-factor in every Democratic hopeful's calculations.)

Two things to note... "Less conservative"... Bayh is consistently called both a liberal and a conservative at the same time. Conservative Republicans always say he's "in bed with Kennedy and the left wing" while Liberal Democrats always say "he might as well be a Republican"... I'm constantly amazed by the dicotomy.

Second... "Less dull than most people think"... I can't tell you the number times I've heard (or rather read) people say that when they saw Sen Bayh in person he was nothing like they thought. How he always impresses them with his oratory skill... Once he starts campaigning for real people will see the real Evan Bayh.

MSNBC weighs in...

2006-05-05T10:04:00.000-04:00

Ding Ding Ding... Ladies and Gentlemen... Let's get ready to RUMBLLLLLLLLLLE!

MSNBC has decided to go with a boxing theme for their '08 Presidential Rankings... for the record they rank them as Heavyweight as being a strong candidate, Welterweight is a moderately strong candidate, Lightweight is a moderately weak candidate and Flyweight is a weak candidate...

Democrats (in alphabetical order)-

Evan Bayh - Heavyweight - May have the right combination of conservativism in personal style and on foreign policy, and liberalism on social issues, to be the Hillary alternative.

Hillary Clinton - Heavyweight - A marquee name with marquee money.

Al Gore - Heavyweight - He says he's not going to run in '08, but if he changes his mind...

John Kerry - Heavyweight - But do Democrats want a rerun?

Joe Biden - Welterweight - If he runs, Biden will be the consumate veteran of the Democratic field. He will also test listeners' endurance.

Tom Daschle - Welterweight - He's got a high profile among Democrats, but can he raise money and overcome any perception that he's yesterday's man now that he is out of office?

John Edwards - Welterweight - He knows the ropes, has the money and is from the South.

Russ Feingold - Welterweight - A brainy, earnest, hardworking reformer suited to do well in Iowa and New Hampshire. His appeal in the Bible Belt remains problematic.

Bill Richardson - Welterweight - As a governor, and former UN Ambassador, congressman and energy secretary who comes from the Southwest and is Latino, he's got leverage.

Mark Warner - Weltherweight - The right combination of money, charm, location and personality.

Wesley Clark - Lightweight - A smart, articulate and fiercely disciplined military man, but has no experience in elected office.

John Vilsack - Lightweight - A strong voice on the economy, but untested on national security or foreign affairs.

I do have a couple of problems with some of their analysis...

First, I think calling Clark "articulate and fiercely disciplined" is being generous... he showed in the '04 campaign that he can be a loose cannon which for a politician is NOT good.

Second, while I agree that Al Gore would be a strong candidate if he decided to run, he's made it abudently clear so many times that he's not running, why even bother?

For the record... MSNBC only ranked 1 Republican as a heavyweight... John McCain.

In the news...

2006-04-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh continues to get a mention in CNN.com's The Situation... he's mentioned as one of the DLCers who's going to speak in the national DLC Convention in Denver.

Sen Bayh was annointed the Democratic nominee by the UVa Cavalier Daily's Josh Levy. It's notable because he picks Bayh over fmr VA Gov Mark Warner (his pick for VP).

National Journal has their latest WH '08 Rankings out... They compare Sen Bayh to the tortise (as I've done MANY times). We remember who won the race between the tortise and the hare. They have him ranked at #3 (up from #4).

Finally it's getting to be commencement season. DePauw University's seniors have selected Sen Bayh to give their commencement address. DePauw University is a small, prestigious liberal arts university in Greencastle, IN. DePauw ranks high in a number of categories in US News and World Report's annual rankings of colleges.

Five questions with Senator Bayh

2006-04-26T13:07:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Indiana senator puts focus of '08 election on practicalities
Posted: April 22, 2006

Indiana senator and possible Democratic presidential candidate Evan Bayh will hold a private political fund-raiser in Milwaukee on Monday. He spoke with Craig Gilbert, chief of the Journal Sentinel's Washington Bureau.

Q: What's your message to Democrats who want to win back the presidency?

A: We need to make the election about the future, about the challenges that face the American people. That deals with national security during these uncertain times and decreasing our energy dependency. It involves getting our fiscal house in order, creating good jobs . . . (It's to) not make it about left versus right. Make it about practical things that matter in people's lives.

Q: What was the biggest lesson of the Democrats' defeat in 2004?

A: That in a post-9-11 world, we've got to be both tough and smart on national security. We can't change the subject or run from that debate. We need to make the case that this administration has damaged our national security, but we can do better.

Q: What does a Democrat learn from being elected in a red state?

A: Out of the last 17 presidential elections, Republicans have carried my state 16 times . . . Winning California by more and New York by more is not going to get us where we want go. It's going to take winning the Wisconsins and the Indianas. You've got to be a good steward of our nation's security. You've got to be fiscally responsible. You've got to understand that good jobs and a growing economy is the foundation on which we build everything else. And, finally, on some of the cultural issues, you can't be condescending and elitist in your approach.

Q: Wisconsin has another potential '08 candidate, your colleague Russ Feingold. What do you think of Feingold's proposal to censure the president?

A: I share his deep concerns about the policies of this administration . . . I don't think (censure) will change the administration's policies. I understand the thoughts and emotions that motivate it, and I share his ultimate objective. I just don't think it will help us win the November election. On the contrary, I think Karl Rove will use it to fire up the (GOP) base.

Q: If all else failed to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, should the U.S. consider using military force?

A: I think it's premature to make that decision today. . . . What I think we need to do with regard to Iran is try and work with allies to freeze their financial assets, have a travel embargo, an embargo of important commodities in their economy, to try to get them to change their minds without having to resort to force . . . If that doesn't work, you have a hard decision to make. I think a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable.

Pragmatic politics of Indiana

2006-04-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

Excellent read from the Philadelphia Enquirer...

Pragmatic politics of Indiana

Understanding Hoosiers may be key for national Democrats.

By Paul Nussbaum
Inquirer Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosiers finally changed their clocks this month, after decades of year-round standard time. Now, will they change their voting habits?

The last time Indiana voted for a Democrat for president was 1964, in the Lyndon Johnson landslide. And the time before that was 1936, when Franklin D. Roosevelt carried every state but Maine and Vermont.

But as national Democrats search for enough red-state votes to win the White House in 2008, there may be lessons to learn from this deeply crimson Midwestern bastion of Republicanism.

After all, Indiana voters handed Democratic senator Evan Bayh 62 percent of their vote in 2004, even as they gave President Bush 60 percent.

Bayh, who is trying to become a viable presidential contender for 2008, says the political alchemy of turning red voters blue is something that Democrats can master.

"If the voters know you and trust you, they'll vote for you regardless of the party," Bayh said. "People in Indiana care about practical things... they want to know, 'How does this affect my life?' "

A Democrat who understands the pragmatic sensibilities of Indiana may be able to appeal to red-state voters elsewhere.

"You want to disavow labels and project centrist attitudes," said former congressman Lee Hamilton, a Democrat who represented a southern Indiana district for 34 years, then served as vice chairman of the 9/11 commission. "Hoosiers pride themselves on being people of moderation and common sense."

What plays well here: God, country, civility, and an economy of emotion and pocketbook. Hunting, fishing, and auto racing are almost as popular as basketball.

What doesn't play: taxes, daylight saving time, change, unseemly ambition, showiness.

With deep rural roots, even though most of its residents have left the farm behind, Indiana is suspicious of big-city flash. Even the booming Indianapolis area is more a big small city than metropolitan giant.

Indiana's conservatism - like that of much of the Midwest - is different from conservatism in the South.

"It's very dissimilar to a Southern red state," said Billy Linville, a national political consultant who grew up in Indiana, graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, and now lives in Atlanta.

"Southerners focus on the social hot-button issues, like abortion and gay marriage," Linville said. "But Indiana, like Iowa or Wisconsin or Ohio, is more interested in the traditional Republican issues - balancing the budget, integrity in government. It's a much more humble kind of state."

Gary Crawley, a political science professor at Ball State, said strident candidates of either party don't fare well here. "Hillary Clinton wouldn't... and if you have a Jesse Helms type, that wouldn't sell so well in Indiana."

For voters such as Bob Kessler, 37, of Bloomington, competence is more important than any single issue.

"I could possibly vote for a Democrat for president - if a Democrat could not be extreme to the left but more of a moderate," he said, taking a break from shopping in the College Mall. "But I don't know if a Democrat could get the party stamp and still be somewhere in the middle."

Ruth Masiongale, a hospital administrator in Marion, said she usually votes Democratic. Her husband, David, a self-employed contractor, always votes Republican. Well, not always.

"I voted for George Wallace," he said. "He was Democrat, wasn't he?"

She thinks a Democratic presidential candidate could win here, "somebody who could connect with all levels of society." No way, said her husband.

Sarah Wilson, publisher of the Rochester Sentinel, a 5,000-circulation daily newspaper in northern Indiana, said a Democrat's chances "would depend on who the Republican was." She said, "If Hillary Clinton was a Republican, a Democrat would have a chance."

William A. Blomquist, a political science professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, said a moderate Democrat like Bayh or former Virginia governor Mark Warner could have a fighting chance of carrying Indiana, though he put the odds as "less than 50-50."

"The biggest danger the Democrats have is nominating somebody the Republicans could paint as some kind of a nut," Blomquist said. "Evan Bayh doesn't seem like a nut."

Bayh, 50, the son of former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, served two terms as governor before winning his father's old Senate seat in 1998. He has succeeded in red-state Indiana by being tough on national security (he voted for the war in Iraq), tough on taxes (he didn't raise taxes during his eight years as governor) and successful at budget-balancing and job-creation.

He supports abortion rights but voted twice to ban so-called partial-birth abortions. And he has not strayed far from the middle on anything - the most oft-used adjective to describe him is "cautious."

"He's more comfortable taking the layup than the three-pointer," said Brian Howey, who publishes a political newsletter here. "He doesn't go out on a limb."

Howey said there "is a suspicion in the middle of the country about coastal liberals." He said, "Bayh and others from the middle of the country may have a better feeling for the gray areas... they're not as polarizing."

Bayh says it's vital for Democrats to seek common ground with Republicans and to be seen as strong on national security if they want to do well in Indiana or other red states.

"If people don't trust us with their lives, we don't even get to have a debate about the other issues. We have to demonstrate we're fiscally responsible... we need to prove we understand people work hard for their money.

"And there are some attitudinal things... too many national Democrats have a whiff of moral superiority about them. They come across as condescending. People will never vote for you if they think you're looking down your nose at them.

"And they have to show that they understand that people of faith are not monolithic. People of faith care about jobs, schools and health care... they're not just one-issue voters."

But the very things that make Democrats like Bayh palatable to red-state voters are likely to work against him with the more liberal Democratic faithful who vote in the party's primaries.

"He personifies the conservatism of the Midwest... and those qualities are the qualities that harm him in the Democratic race for president," Linville said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EB at the Harvard Business School

2006-04-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

Senator Bayh Stresses Need For Unity

“Washington has just broken down,” says Indiana Democrat at HBS Speech

Senator Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat and potential 2008 presidential candidate, emphasized the importance of bringing together the American people across party and ideological lines in a speech at the Harvard Business School (HBS) yesterday afternoon.

The senator told a room of over 100 onlookers that “Washington has just broken down—it is verging on the dysfunctional.”
...
For America to address these issues, Bayh said that the federal government must reduce its partisanship “because America is at its strongest and its best, not when it is divided in red and blue states but when it is united.”
...
“Frankly, [Republicans] are better at scaring people than we are,” he said.

One HBS student asked about Bayh’s views on the Massachusetts bill passed last week, establishing nearly universal health care coverage.

“I’m inclined to think it’s a good thing,” he said. “Massachusetts may not be exactly analogous to the other 49 states, but I think it is a step in the right direction.”
...
“He took questions at face value,” said Patrick Connelly, a second-year joint JD and MBA student.

Bayh in Michigan!

2006-04-11T14:29:00.000-04:00

Sen Bayh was the keynote at Michigan's JJ Dinner this past weekend...

Bayh addresses Michigan Democrats

Hoosier says GOP has been lax on security and trade
issues.

DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press Writer

DETROIT -- Michigan Democrats assembled Saturday to
gear up for the November election, getting
encouragement from the party's top state leaders and a
potential 2008 presidential candidate.

"The Republicans and the Bush administration have got
to be swept out of power this November," U.S. Sen.
Carl Levin said during the Democrats' annual
Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner at Detroit's Cobo Center.

In the keynote speech, Sen. Evan Bayh, of Indiana,
urged Democrats to tell voters about their strengths
on national security, saying President Bush and the
Republican Party have used the issue more for
political gain than sound policy reasons.

"While they may have won some elections, the American
people have lost valuable ground," Bayh said.

Bayh has said he is seriously considering a run for
the White House, and he is expected to make a decision
after this year's midterm elections.

The two-term senator and former Indiana governor also
accused Republicans of being lax in enforcing trade
laws and giving China an unfair edge over domestic
automakers.

Bayh said Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co. --
which may sell models in the United States as early as
2007 -- copied a Chevrolet vehicle designed by General
Motors Corp.

"If that's true, those Cherys can sit on the dock and
rust," he said.

GM and Chery last year settled a dispute in which GM
had accused Chery of pirating the design of its Spark
minicar, which looks similar to the Chery QQ. The
company also has agreed not to market its vehicles
under the name Chery in the United States.

The $150-per-person fundraiser also featured speeches
from Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie
Stabenow, first-term Democratic officeholders who are
up for re- election this year. Democrats want to hold
onto those offices and win enough seats from
Republicans to take control of the Legislature.

About 2,000 people attended the dinner.

Jobs and the economy have been the leading issue in
Michigan, which has one of the nation's highest
unemployment rates and has lost about 180,000
manufacturing jobs since 2000. The U.S. auto industry
has been in the midst of a restructuring that is
expected to ripple through the state's economy for
years.

"Democrats are the ones fighting to keep jobs here,"
Granholm said in her speech. "Democrats are the ones
fighting for fair trade."

Republicans blame Granholm for the state's economic
woes, arguing that heavy manufacturing states like
Indiana and Pennsylvania have started to rebound while
Michigan's unemployment rate remains high.

"This is a great opportunity for the governor to
explain to the people of Michigan why we're losing one
job every 20 minutes," state GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis
said Saturday. "At some stage, she's got to accept
responsibility."

Anuzis also defended Bush's record on national
security.

"Everybody is doing the best job they can getting the
war on terror under control," Anuzis said. "The
Democratic solution is basically to complain. They've
offered no new proposals. It's very easy to take cheap
shots."

Granholm's likely opponent in November, Republican
businessman Dick DeVos, already has spent more than $2
million on air time for television ads since Feb. 16,
according to the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance
Network.

Granholm said DeVos does not represent average people,
and she noted that Democrats led the push to increase
the state's minimum wage -- the first raise in nine
years.

"We are not highfalutin' millionaires, we are
middle-class families," she said.

At the end of his speech, Bayh sought to portray
himself as the kind of conservative Democrat who could
win conservative-leaning states. He talked about how
Bush won Indiana by 21 percentage points in 2004,
while Bayh defeated his opponent by 24 percentage
points.

Bayh in New Hampshire

2006-03-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

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.”
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
"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."
...
"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."

Sen Bayh at the Georgia JJ Dinner

2006-03-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

The reviews are starting to come in on Sen Bayh's keynote address at the Georgia State JJ Dinner...

From GTTIM:

Evan Bayh gave the Keynote Address. Wow! Very impressive. First he spoke highly of Max Cleland, telling how days after "that disgusting and horrible" election battle with Saxby Chamblis, Max asked for permission to come speak with Bayh. Bayh wanted to tell him how sorry he felt for him. Cleland wanted to talk about how Bayh could prevent that from happening to him and any other Democrat in the future.

Bayh discussed running against the GOP by confronting them on national security, the budget and values. He feels we can win by attacking them on these. He sold me, and is my top primary contender right now. He spoke about how Georgia and Indiana are very similar and how he won by a higher percentage in 2004 than Bush did. I think he is nailing it.

From the Macon Telegraph:

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, who is weighing a run for the White House, told Georgia Democrats on Monday night that the party needs to focus on national security and family values if they want to beat Republicans in November.

Bayh said the GOP has been "a heckuva lot better at national security politics than national security policies."

Bayh, a two-term senator and governor from Indiana, sought to portray himself as the kind of conservative Democrat who could win in a red state such as Georgia.

"There is no doubt in my mind that we can carry a state like Georgia," Bayh said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Andre at Georgia Politics Unfiltered said:

Finally came the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, where Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) was the keynote speaker. There are several articles in the papers about his speech, last night, and I can honestly say that Sen. Bayh sounded like a man running for President and he impressed me. He gave about a 30 to 45-minute speech without using any notes or a teleprompter. Now I know when we're talking about being President, the ability to give a speech "off the cuff" is meaningless, but I'm going to keep an eye on Sen. Bayh because I could see him with a spot on the national Democratic ticket.

Sen Bayh's address to AIPAC

2006-03-09T18:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Smithers at All America PAC for getting this out to us...

Check it out... it was a homerun!

Senator Evan Bayh
Address to the AIPAC Annual Policy Conference
Washington, DC
March 6, 2006
As Delivered

Thank you for that warm welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I look around the room this evening and I know that I am with a room full of friends, for that I am most grateful. I am also grateful for Tim’s very kind introduction. I have learned to not to take it for granted during my career.

As Tim mentioned, I was elected Governor of our State at a very young age, at the ripe old age of 33. In 1989 shortly after taking office, we had a reception at the Governor’s residence for a very prominent group of Americans from across the country. And Susan and I, she was 29 at the time she became our first lady, we were standing on the landing of our residence talking to the delegations. And along comes the delegation from Tennessee, and I extend my hand in greeting and I say “good evening sir, welcome to the Governor’s residence.” The head of the delegation looks me up one side and down the other and proceeds to put his coat on my outstretched arm, looks me in the eye and says “Thank you very much, young man, I will pick this up when I leave.” So what else could I say but “yes sir, we will take good care of it.” So Tim, I am grateful to you for no cases of mistaken identity this evening.

I am privileged to be with my colleague and friend, Susan Collins. You know, the United States Senate would be a much better place if we had more Susan Collins’. In a city that is all too often driven by strident partisanship and ideologies, Susan has always been a voice for reason and consensus. I want to recognize someone else who has already been mentioned already in the audience, but first by way of preface. When I ran for the United States Senate in 1998, from time to time, journalists would ask me, they would say, “Evan, of all the members of the United States Senate, that you have had the privilege of seeing, who would you most like to emulate?” I thought that it was a difficult question because there are many prominent members of the Senate, but I would always say, “when it comes to integrity and moral courage, I would be honored to be like Joe Lieberman.” In eight years now, I have seen nothing in Joe to change my mind.

A word or two about my friend, Howard Friedman, you are blessed to have Howard’s leadership. I have been to his home and met his family, we’ve taken our children to Orioles games together. We have been good friends for many years. He is a good dad, a great leader, and AIPAC needs him at this critical hour.

And a word or two about your organization at this important time. I know the topic of lobbying reform is very topical in Washington today, as it should be. Joe Lieberman is helping to lead the charge on what will soon come. Our government has fallen into low regard for too many the Americans. We need to do whatever it takes to rehabilitate their faith and confidence in our government. But at the same time, we need to make sure that the free flow of information continues so that those of us who make public policy can make sure we are making those choices in informed and intelligent ways. And in that regard, I want to say how vitally important and beneficial the role of AIPAC has been. How much is like is, this is to Israel, the role of AIPAC has strengthened America, it has strengthened the US and Israel’s relationship, it has strengthened America’s place in the world, and the educational role of AIPAC must continue.

My own relationship with the State of Israel goes back many, many years and is, in some ways, hereditary. My first visit to Israel was as a college student at Indiana University, with my parents, when my father was privileged to serve in the Senate. I know he would want to give you all his warmest regards tonight. I remember we spent 10 days. We stayed at a kibbutz near the port of Eilat; traveled across the country; saw the gunnery places, the Jordanian gun emplacements on the West Bank, the closest to Israel, where on a clear day you could almost see across the nation to the Mediterranean ocean. That had a profound and lasting effect on me, the physical intimacy of the place, the special national security concerns that are born of that intimacy. I have been privileged to be back on many occasions, flew up the coast with an Israeli Colonel to have lunch with several Israeli generals and looked out across the plane where Syrian tanks invaded in 1973. Then came back down the Jordan River Valley, where you can see hilltop to hilltop and an Arab village or Israeli settlement. You can see the difficult security situation that confronts the State of Israel, right there with my own eyes. Just a year ago January, I was privileged to take Susan with me for the first time. Most people who follow the Israeli economy told me there was a brief spike in retail activity during the time of our visit. I was informed that Susan was always welcome to return, and I hope that we can and take my young twin ten-year-old boys someday. It would be a special visit for our family in many ways.

Just this January as a part my role as a member of the Intelligence Committee I visited Israel, the day after the Prime Minister was stricken. He remains in our prayers this evening. I met with other intelligence and military individuals and with their own representatives to see what we could do to strengthen our cooperation in the common war against terror. All of these experiences have convinced me that the relationship between the United States and Israel is not based on temporary expediency, but is instead founded on something far more profound and deeper than that. The very values and principles that go to the core of the founding of our two nations: the embrace of democracy and freedom that secures people’s aspirations, their hopes and their dreams. The embrace of free-market capitalism and personal innovation as the best path towards prosperity. The recognition that tolerance and diversity are ports to truly fortunate societies. All of these things make the United States special. All of these things make the State of Israel special. And it is these things that will make our bonds everlasting, strong, and enduring in good times and in bad.

Of course, it also these things that have led both of our nations to be challenged today. These are difficult times. We saw that when 3,000 innocents were slaughtered on 9/11 by suicide bombers enraged because of radical jihad. We have seen it repeatedly in Israel throughout the years where hundreds of innocent men, women, and children have lost their lives.

We’ve seen it in London, in Madrid, in Amman, in Bali. We see it across Iraq each and every day. It is a dangerous world and to stand together and prosper within it, the United States and Israel need policies today to ensure our security that are both tough and smart.

Let me begin with Hamas – and let me be clear, Hamas is a terrorist organization. It has sworn to destroy the State of Israel, it is responsible for the deaths and woundings of thousands of innocent civilians. Until Hamas recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist, until it renounces the use of terror not only in word but in deed, until it recognizes the agreements that have already been struck on behalf of the Palestinian people, it should receive not one penny, not one penny from the United States of America.

Many hope, as we all must, that Hamas will change what it fundamentally is. But mark me down as a skeptic. The embrace of Hamas of the destruction of Israel in its founding doctrine is prefaced upon its radical interpretation of the Koran. People may negotiate about many things, they may compromise on many things, but is highly unlikely that they will negotiate or compromise on their core religious convictions. I simply am unpersuaded that there is such a thing, or can ever be such a thing as a moderate suicide bomber or a pragmatic killer of women and children.

They are who they are, and must be dealt with as they are, not as we all wish they might be. It is tragic what has happened to the Palestinian people. Never has there been a people more in need of responsible leadership, never has there been a more important historic junction and the need for a reconciliation. A reconciliation among the Palestinians that embraces the future and jettisons their illusions. A reconciliation that embraces the difficult but necessary process of building a state with schools and roads and jobs and hospitals, and gives up the illusions and the embrace, as Senator Collins so eloquently put it, of the culture of suicide and death. That is something for which we must hope. But we must not be diluted by our hopes. Nor can we afford to be diluted by the role that Iran is playing today. In my recent travels across the Middle East, I visited Israel, I visited Iraq, I visited Afghanistan, I visited Pakistan, and in each and every one of these countries, the malevolent role of Iran was mentioned. They are not our friend, they are not freedom’s friend, and they must be dealt with in a serious, tough, and smart way.

Iran is the world’s foremost sponsor of terror. They have sworn to destroy the State of Israel. They have slaughtered Americans in Lebanon, in Saudi Arabia, across Iraq today, they enable our enemies. And their President, not too long ago said, to an audience of 5,000 in Tehran, “just imagine a world without the United States of America.” And now these people, led by radical theocrats and an apocalyptic president who envisions the end of time, seek nuclear weapons. Well, to that I say, “Not on our watch.”

We have waited at our peril and can afford to wait no more. Iran must be presented with the concrete facts of enforceable, comprehensive economic sanctions: cutting off their flow of imported petroleum refined into gasoline for which they require 40% of their petroleum needs, cutting off the import of machinery that makes their economy go, cutting off the other things that provide for their economic progress. They must be confronted with a complete and total travel ban. They must be confronted with a complete freeze of their financial resources and assets around the world. They must be cut off culturally and diplomatically and be turned into a pariah state if they do not to agree to change their ways.

Of course, no discussion of Iran can be complete without a discussion about the critically important need for our country to achieve energy independence. We need to devote urgency and commitment, and sacrifice to this issue. Because until we free ourselves from imported oil from the Middle East, we will be subject to blackmail from places like Iran and Saudi Arabia, but also unstable places like Venezuela and Russia and we must not allow that to continue.

Until we find alternative fuels for both ourselves and the rest of the world, it will be difficult to convince China, India, and others to do what must be done to isolate the radical Iranian regime. Until we do what it takes to liberate ourselves from petroleum imports, we will find ourselves in a tragic and intolerable position of funding both sides - both sides - of the war against terrorism, and that must stop.

Fortunately, there is a vehicle for accomplishing these objectives. It has a very catchy name. It’s called the Bayh, Lieberman, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera Act. I recommend it to you. I don’t know why, it just kind of has a resonance. Here’s what it will do: the President in his of the State of the Union Address was right in his call to reducing our imports of petroleum from the Middle East by 75% over the next 20 years. Under the approach that Joe Lieberman and I have endorsed along with six Republican colleagues and six Democratic colleagues, we would completely eliminate imports of petroleum from the Middle East in half that amount of time and that is the kind of urgency we need.

Building the next generation of high-mileage vehicles with American workers right here in the United States of America, producing more ethanol and bio-fuels so that America’s farmers can produce America’s fuel, research into things like hydrogen and other fossil fuels that will truly set our country free. I firmly believe this is vitally important because it’s in our economic interests, our financial interests, our energy interests, but above all else, it is what it takes it set our children free. That is the challenge of our generation.

Let me conclude by saying this. I am optimistic that we will ultimately prevail in the great struggle in which we are now engaged. Not because I believe it will be easy, on the contrary, I know it will be difficult. But it’s the work of a generation. I’m optimistic not because I believe it will be without sacrifice. Far from it, too often the days ahead are likely to involve great tragedy and sorrow. But I am optimistic that we will ultimately prevail in our cause because the United States of America and the State of Israel stand on the right side of both human history and human nature. I am reminded of something that Abraham Lincoln once said
during of some of America’s darkest times. He said that “a house divided cannot stand,” and that “America could no longer endure as a country half slave and half free.”

As I look around the world today, and I see the process of global integration where ideas transcend the globe with the click of a computer key. Commerce flows around the planet, weapons of mass destruction and possible pandemics respect no national borders. I know that the time has come where it will no longer be possible for eighty percent of the world’s people to labor under the yoke of tyranny and degradation, while those of us blessed to be right here tonight seek to celebrate our own freedom. It can no longer be us that cause the freedom and liberty throughout the world. It’s not only the right and idealistic thing to do; it is also very much in our self-interest. It is also in the heart of human nature because I believe there are
breakthroughs that we are championing here tonight, friends of America and friends of Israel. I believe that truth is more powerful than deceit, that knowledge will eventually triumph over ignorance, and that love is more noble than hate. I believe, deep in my heart, that the United States and Israel are exceptional nations; and, have been placed upon this earth to achieve humanity’s highest aspirations. And if we do not tire, if we do not cease, if we carry on with our labors through thick and thin, it is my deepest conviction that one day we will know the blessing of a benevolent God, known by many names in many faiths and many traditions. That he will bless both us and our children with joy and tranquility and peace yet again. This is what has brought us here this evening. It is what animates the policy of our great nation and that of Israel. It lies in the heart of AIPAC. It is the cause that we struggle for together. With your help, and God willing, I know that one day we will prevail.

With friends like these....

2006-03-08T11:18:00.000-05:00

The Cato Institute recently had a panel discussion... Two conservative authors, Former Reagan aide Bruce Bartlett and conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan, were extremely critical of the Bush Administration...

Bartlett is the author of "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and betrayed the Reagan Legacy" and called the Bush Administration "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept."

Sullivan, author of the upcoming book "The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It; How to Get It Back," called the President "reckless" and "a socialist," and accused him of betraying "almost every principle conservatism has ever stood for."

In other news... the House Republicans have set up a showdown with the White House over the Ports deal. “We believe that the U.S. should not allow a government-run company to operate American ports,” said Ron Bonjean, a spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert. President Bush has vowed to veto any bill that would block the sale.

I guess we really can't say that the Republicans are marching in lockstep with the White House, can we?

Rolling Stone approves of Sen Bayh's Iran stance

2006-03-07T20:23:00.000-05:00

Ok... so it isn't the Washington Post, Time Magazine or the Economist... but hey, they're no dummys at Rolling Stone. Tim Dickinson penned this short essay about the Democrats and Iran.

As a side note... Kudos to Steve at BayhPartisan.com for getting the shoutout from Rolling Stone.

Democrats and Iran

If the Democrats had the sense God gave geese -- and I have my doubts -- they would lock the entire congressional caucus, as well as every prospective 2008 presidential candidate, in a room and not come out until they'd developed an aggressive, coherent, unified approach to dealing with Iran -- preferably along the lines outlined here by Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.

As in the past two national elections, Karl Rove has declared he's going to make 2006 all about national security, painting the Democrats -- once again -- as appeasing pussies with a "pre-9/11" mindset.

If you're Bush & Co., the way you assure that national security is the front-burner issue come November -- bigger than the Medicare fiasco, Jack Abramoff, and all the GOP corruption scandals combined -- is to provoke a crisis with Iran.

You don't actually have to march on Tehran, mind you. You just have to go through the saber-rattling motions: Paint the maniac mullahs' nuclear ambitions as an intolerable threat. It isn't hard, because, this time, it's true.

You carefully stoke fears of an Iranian A-Bomb in the New York subway, and then stage another Congressional force-resolution vote -- in GOP crafted language that will be intolerable to the Democrat's dovish base. Democratic congressmen -- and particularly the 2008 hopefuls -- will hem and haw, before some sizeable faction of the party leadership vote with Bush. The MoveOn/Deaniac base will be demoralized. The Republicans will present a unified front. Swing voters will break to the right. It's 2002 all over again.

This isn't rocket science. In fact, it looks from this story like the stagecraft has already begun.

The only defense the Democrats have on this issue is a good early offense, which in this case is a unified and credibly muscular stance on how to stare down the mullahs. The issue is still just sitting there. The GOP hasn't defined its position. Democrats need to beat them to the punch.

This is the essence of international statecraft: How do you disarm Iran without making it a "killing field"? Like the Cuban Missile Crisis, there's no easy answer. But the Democrats would do well to ask themselves this question, WWJD? -- What Would JFK Do?

First hand account of Bayh's AIPAC speech

2006-03-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

Brad Levinson attended the AIPAC dinner last night, head-lined by Sen Bayh and Sen Susan Collins. He gave the following report:

But I was truly, pleasantly surprised by Evan Bayh. Before I saw him speak, I've gotta say that I thought he wouldn't get anywhere in the primaries. After this, i feel like I've truly got to re-evaluate.

I was most impressed with his stance on renewable energy. Until now, I haven't heard any politician mention not only truly working for energy independence, but the potential economy and economic value of investing and employing workers in this industry. For the longest time, it's baffled me as to why nobody's mentioned this. If Bayh hammers away at this, he's got not only the benefits of energy dependence in the frame of national security, but for economic populism as well. I really believe that this can take him VERY far.

What struck me the most was his polished presence. Eye contact, correct hand gestures, and a really natural feel to his delivery. Even when the stage lights went out and the lighting staff had to put up intense exit lights directly onto him, he didn't flinch. Elizabeth, my girlfriend didn't even notice that technical difficulties had occurred because Bayh didn't hesitate for a second on continuing his speech. He remained completely uninterrupted.

Most importantly -- he stayed. Greeted people as we were all walking out, took pictures, everything. He shook my hand, and I told him that I could very well wear my "Bayh! 2008" after that speech. "Bless your heart," he replied.

Well Brad, I do have to say that I'm jealous you got to hear Sen Bayh speak... and we'll be happy to add you to the list of Bayh supporters!

The Friday Line: Hillary, McCain in a Class of Their Own

2006-03-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Friday Line: Hillary, McCain in a Class of Their Own

The last time we dedicated the Friday Line to the raw horse race politics of Campaign 2008 was way back in December. Much has changed since, most notably the solidifying of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) as the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

As the Post's Dan Balz noted a recent story, McCain -- along with chief political adviser John Weaver -- has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to recruit key operatives who supported President George W. Bush to his increasingly likely 2008 bid.

On the Democratic side of the ledger, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (N.Y.) fundraising machine continues to churn ($17 million in the bank at the end of 2005) -- further cementing her as the favorite for her party's nomination.

Today's Friday Line separates Clinton and McCain from the rest of the Republican and Democratic fields, placing them in a "frontrunner" category of their own because they are far ahead of the other potential candidates at the moment. "The Field" category represents candidates who can make a legitimate case for dethroning McCain and Clinton come 2008 but just aren't there yet.

Reminder: The Fix's rankings of the 2008 race are just a snapshot in time. As always, your thoughts are welcome in the comments section below. Let's get started:

DEMOCRATS

The Frontrunner: Hillary Rodham Clinton

What more can we say about Clinton? Republicans have proven decidedly inept at fielding a solid candidate against her this November, ensuring that her Senate reelection race can serve as an uninterrupted pre-cursor to a national bid. And don't forget that whatever cash Clinton retains in her Senate campaign account after this year can be transferred to a presidential account. We've heard whispers from other Democratic camps that Clinton will decide not to run for the White House. But that seems like wishful thinking. She starts with a double-digit lead in every early state and could well have double the dollars of her nearest challenger. How does a politician turn down a race with that sort of firepower?

The Field

Evan Bayh: Bayh is the tortoise of the Democratic presidential field. He has adopted a "slow-and-steady" approach to the process of fundraising and campaigning that is likely to keep him from emerging as the buzz candidate anytime in the near future. But that approach also should keep him in the conversations of Democratic insiders for months to come. Bayh will never match Edwards in charisma, but he has gotten markedly better -- more animated -- over the past year. It's still hard to see where Bayh goes for votes if Warner continues to be seen as the chosen candidate of those who prize electability in their nominee. But it's also impossible to predict the operating dynamic of a race where the first votes won't be cast until January 2008.

John Edwards: Edwards is taking an entirely different tack at winning the nomination in 2008 than he did in 2004. In his first national race, Edwards lavished state parties and local candidates with money from his leadership political action committee in hopes of currying favor. He has done considerably less of that as he looks ahead to 2008. Edwards has used his advocacy on the poverty issue to emerge as a spokesman for workers' rights -- witness his work on behalf of a number of minimum wage ballot initiatives that will be on the ballot in several states this fall. While Edwards's fundraising has not impressed so far this cycle (he ended 2005 with just $23,000 on hand in his One America PAC), he is clearly the most charismatic candidate on the Democratic side. No longer tied to the Senate could also help Edwards, since no sitting senator since John F. Kennedy in 1960 has been elected president.

Al Gore: Yes, that Al Gore. As I outlined in a recent Fix post, Gore can make a legitimate case for the nomination. He is the only candidate who has shown that he can raise the $50 million (or more) necessary to compete against Clinton for the nomination, and he's the only one who has been unequivocally against the Iraq war from the start. From what we hear, Gore is not interested in participating in the nitty-gritty politics necessary to run and win the 2008 nomination, preferring instead to be drafted -- who wouldn't! Still, until Gore formally says no, he belongs on the Line.

John Kerry: The positions of Kerry and GOP Sen. Bill Frist are remarkably similar at the moment. Both are largely dismissed by the chattering class inside the Beltway but continue to demonstrate an ability to raise vast quantities of money. Kerry's remarkable Internet fundraising operation, which has raised $1 million for Democratic candidates over the past six months, keeps him as a viable 2008 candidate. Democrats, both rank and file and the party elites, tend to be skeptical of a retread candidacy for president (see "Gore, Al"), and Kerry may eventually decide that he'd rather be one of the key powerbrokers in 2008 than the candidate himself. Until then, The Fix is inclined to leave him on the Line.

Mark Warner: Warner's "It Boy" status seems to be wearing off somewhat -- the first dip of the inevitable roller coaster ride of insider opinion that he must endure between now and 2008. Much of that slowing momentum appears to be the result of his low-profile in the last month or so as he focuses heavily on courting the big-dollar donors he will need to challenge Clinton for the nomination. Still, Warner remains the smart money bet to emerge as the anti-Hillary candidate. His second-place showing in a Charleston (South Carolina) County Democratic straw poll late last month seems to back up that perception.

Two Items from the National Journal

2006-03-06T09:43:00.000-05:00

First off... they have their first rankings of the potential '08 candidates... They do have a place were you can rank them yourself so I encourage to go and show your support...

1 Clinton - Her fundraising advantage is going to be unprecedented and will likely keep some very good Democrats from running (particularly if she has $50 million in the bank by January 2007). What we’re trying to figure out is whether the latest round of GOP "attacks" on her are simply attempts by Republicans to rally their own base, or if it’s some Machivellian effort to rally Democrats to Clinton so the party really does nominate her (because Republican attacks on Hillary actually improved her poll standing this month). If the strategy is that latter, the GOP should beware: Democrats were ecstatic in ’80 when the Republicans nominated someone widely thought to be "too conservative" – Ronald Reagan.

2 Warner - The now- former Virginia governor is still basking in the afterglow of Tim Kaine's victory. But as a congressional staffer reminds us, Kaine isn’t on the ballot every month between now and ’08 nomination day. Of the four categories we’re using to evaluate the contenders, Warner is arguably scoring higher on "buzz" than even Hillary right now. For the "all we want to do is win" Democrats, Warner is the candidate, despite his not having to take any major positions yet or go through any real scrutiny. In fact, Warner’s probably been through less scrutiny than any of the major contenders on either side. The biggest problem for Warner right now? Getting too much attention.

3 Edwards - Surprised that we have the '04 VP nominee ranked so high? Well, there’s probably no one traveling the country more than Edwards, and his travels have a purpose. He wants to be the labor candidate without the labor baggage. He's very aggressively helping recruit members for the hotel workers union, and he's trumpeting various minimum wage initiatives whenever possible. Toss in his ability to once again tap into trial lawyer money and his already decent poll numbers and his national experience, and it's clear Edwards has the stuff to hang with Hillary. He’s not "new" anymore, so he's down in "buzz," but he's also the only major candidate who seems comfortable going to Hillary's left.

4 BAYH! - Watching Bayh go through the motions reminds us of the early Bill Bradley days (and we’re not just writing that because of Anita Dunn’s involvement in both candidacies). Bayh is being very methodical; he doesn’t spend one day in Iowa, he spends three. He doesn’t just raise PAC money or hard money, he does both. While we’ll admit we have a hard time figuring out where Bayh fits in should the field include the above three, plus a couple of others (after all, how many "I'm electable" campaigns can the Dem primary take?), being methodical always gets rewarded at some point in this process.

5 Richardson - Too high? Don't count on it. There’s just something about Richardson’s resume and drive that has us believing he’s going to be for real. The big question we have is over money. But given his constant travels around the country on behalf of the DGA, Richardson should be able to put himself in front of the right people to fix any financial woes. Yet, we almost didn’t rank him in our top tier due to the recent Diageo/Hotline poll, which showed less than a third of Americans believed the country was "ready" for a Hispanic president. Has the immigration issue created a temporary glass ceiling for Hispanics with national ambitions?

Secondly... they've released their review of which Senators are liberal/conservative... I couldn't find it on their website but the IndyStar did their traditional biased review of it... What the article did say was that Bayh was more conservative than 30 of the other 43 Senate Democrats and the closest to the center of the 5 Senators believed to be running in '08.

J-Mac's Meaningful Message for Autism

2006-03-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

My daughter is autistic. If watching the video of this will make the most hardened soul teary, imagine what it would do to the father of an autistic child.

J-Mac's meaningful message for autism

By Wayne Drehs
ESPN.com

It took four minutes. Four measly minutes for high school senior Jason McElwain to morph from a relatively unknown student manager of the Greece Athena basketball team into a nationwide inspiration.
In those 240 seconds, the 5-foot-6 kid with autism, in his first-ever appearance in a high school game, scored 20 points and tied a school record with six 3-pointers.

The grainy video clip of his jaw-dropping accomplishment -- and the pandemonium that ensued in the gym -- has made its way from Greece Athena in Rochester, N.Y., to "Good Morning America," "SportsCenter" and CNN. And as much as it tugs at the emotions of sports fans all across the country, its most significant impact might be felt within the autism community, where doctors, parents and educators are still buzzing about what this all could mean for the treatment of this disease.

"A lot of us feel like this is our gift to have this happen and to have it receive so much nationwide publicity," said Dr. Catherine Lord, a professor of psychiatry and the director for the University of Michigan's Autism and Communications Disorders Center. "There are thousands of Jasons out there, carrying the net for the soccer team, keeping statistics for the baseball team, playing the drum for the school band. This serves as a reminder to give these kids a chance whenever possible."

The timing perhaps couldn't have been better. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, autism, a disease that affects an individual's ability to relate socially to others, is growing at a rate of 10 to 17 percent a year, making it the fastest-growing disability in the country. The disease cuts across all racial, ethnic, social and economic lines, yet it affects boys four times more often than girls.

When most people think of autism, their minds immediately race to Raymond Babbitt, Dustin Hoffman's character in the film "Rain Man." But the disease is far more complex than that, imposing wide-ranging effects on its subjects. Some are left speechless or entirely unable to communicate, while others face miniature hurdles each day that often aren't readily visible to those on the outside.

There is no known cure.

"There are thousands of families across the country, getting a diagnosis of autism for their 3-year-old; they took at Jason and have tears in their eyes," said Dr. Susan Hyman, an associate professor for pediatrics at the University of Rochester's Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities. "Because the image they have in their minds isn't of some strapping young teenager making baskets from half court.

"The hope and the promise this provides -- it's priceless."

But hope is only the beginning. For many in the autism community, McElwain's story provides a much-needed template for the right way to integrate a special-needs child into the mainstream community.

When Lee Grossman, president of the Autism Society of America, first saw the clip of McElwain's magical night, he was blown away -- not by the frequency of 3-pointers swishing through the net, but by the frenzied students who jumped up and down and waved their arms back and forth and held up pictures of McElwain. Before he had even checked into the game.

"For me, that was enough right there," said Grossman, whose son, Vance, has autism. "It was absolutely thrilling. That's what we as advocates strive so much for -- to have kids included so they can live a relatively normal life. By providing them with those experiences, they can excel at a much greater level than if they were isolated."

That's one of the reasons the buzz about McElwain's success spread so quickly through the autism community. Even before the story went national, Grossman said the inbox of his e-mail account filled up. Dr. Lord also received "countless" e-mails. Autism Listservs, message boards, hotlines … they've all been flooded with McElwain questions. At Greece Athena, secretaries have been taking calls from parents of autistic children, seeking advice.

"The lesson that people need to get from this is why this worked," Hyman said. "You're going to have people looking at the school, the team, the kids, the family. There are a lot of positive interactions there that will hopefully point towards ways to get a similar end result."

The impact could be potentially groundbreaking. Dr. Lord, who in 2001 chaired a National Research Council committee on educational interventions for children with autism, has already begun pointing to McElwain as an example to the families of her patients.

"One of the things we're always negotiating is how to get autistic kids around other kids in a situation that's positive," Lord said. "[Jason's story] is just such a good example of persistence paying off. It produces motivation for the parents who argue it's too hard, they don't want to put their child through this.

"We can tell them, 'Look, there is a place where this did work. Not just because he made great baskets, but because the team and the school accepted him.'"

Before McElwain's sharpshooting, high-profile role models for children with autism were few and far between. Sure, there is the occasional child who grows up to earn his Ph.D. and have a family or become a top-selling artist, but there aren't many whom those inside the autism community can relate to.

McElwain's story -- and the flood of publicity that followed it -- has changed that. Grossman is hopeful that the McElwain experience will inspire schools across the country to increase the number of no-cut sports programs that are offered. Hyman agrees that those 240 seconds can greatly increase the opportunities for others.

"This is about looking at what sports do for kids in America," she said. "You see kids with special needs on the sidelines, not involved, while their typically developing peers are playing. I think the good to come of this is that people will look at the novel ways all members of a community can participate.

"It's wonderful that he got all those points. But what's most wonderful is the circumstances around it. It's bigger than all those baskets."

Memo to Democrats: Get in the game

2006-03-02T09:40:00.000-05:00

I need to buy Mark Joseph a beer... he's hit the nail on the head with a few of his points in his latest column on TownHall.com...

Note, especially #4 and #6...

Nobody enjoys a football game where one side is running up the score while the other side self-destructs. In the interests of bi-partisanship and an exciting and fairly matched presidential campaign, here are some suggestions for how Democrats can make '08 a real contest. As things stand now and unless they come up with a Plan B quickly, Hillary Rodham Clinton is going to have her clock cleaned by George Allen. But there is still hope for the Democrats and plenty of time for them to change course. Here's how Democrats can get back in the game:

1) Pray really hard that the Republicans give you an opening by nominating Rudy Giuliani or another left-leaning Republican for president. This will alienate the GOP's base, whose members will not be able to bring themselves to vote for him. When millions of devout churchgoers stay home on election day 2008, the White House will be yours again...provided you don't energize them by nominating Sen. Clinton.

2) If the Republicans nominate John McCain, this too may be a win for you. Once he's their nominee, spend part of your advertising budget running commercials quoting McCain trashing various conservative Christian icons. Reminding these voters of McCain's attitude toward many of their leaders will depress turnout.

3) Change your platform on abortion and make the party officially neutral on this hot-button issue. Use some vague, noncommittal language like "we respect the views of all Americans on this divisive issue, and understand the heartfelt concerns of those who believe in a woman's right to choose and those who believe in the unborn child's right to life. There is room in our party for all points of view and we leave it up to each member of our party to follow their conscience on this difficult and divisive issue." In a flash you'll win back the hearts of millions of conservative Democrats, moderate to liberal Evangelicals, and suburban housewives who may be pro-choice but want some limitations. Remember, Billy Graham, the famed evangelist, is still a registered Democrat, though he hasn't voted with you in some time. This will put the votes of the Billy Graham's of the country back in play.

4) Nominate Indiana Senator Evan Bayh for President. Bayh learned from the 1980 defeat of his father, Senator Birch Bayh, how to present liberalism with a mainstream face. He's your man. If he's the nominee, you win and the Republicans lose.

5) Engage the conservative churchgoing audience, don't ignore them. Do your best to hide the condescension you feel for them. Meet with their leaders. Go on their talk shows. Tell them about the change in your party platform on abortion. Don't sneer or condescend. Remember, these are voters you are trying to win over to your side and insulting voters is always a bad idea.

6) Don't hesitate to criticize the president, but do it respectfully. Fifty-one percent of the country voted for him. When you call him names, his voters take it personally. Remember that each time you call him an idiot, you're also calling his voters idiots-not a good idea if you're looking for their votes. Whenever you can, flummox your opponents by criticizing the President for not being conservative enough on issues related to national security. You're already doing this on the Ports issue; do it on other issues like immigration.

7) Do something crazy to shake things up. Propose a flat tax that exempts those earning less than 20K a year or use that Social Security proposal of Robert Wexler's and make it your own. Anything will do, just show the country that you have a pulse and can do more than say no.

8) Begin softening up Allen, the likely GOP nominee now. This guy smells like Reagan, and will be serious trouble for you if he makes it out of the primary. Right now he seems smart, tough, genial, firm and gracious. You will have to provide voters with an alternative interpretation: Coach's son who had everything handed to him in life, intellectual lightweight, blow-dried preener who wants too much to be president-the choices are yours. They may be slim, but if you don't come up with something, he is going to take '08 in a 55-45 cakewalk.

There's still time. Nobody likes a blow-out. Remember the Whigs. Get back in the game

What the Republicans are thinking...

2006-02-25T17:08:00.000-05:00

From Hunt For Red October
Captain Ramius: [in Russian] You speak Russian.
Jack Ryan: [in Russian] A little. It is wise to study the ways of ones adversary. Don't you think?
Captain Ramius: [in English] It is.

So... I like to visit the Republican sites... of them being FreeRepublic.com. Here's a nugget from their site regarding Sen Bayh's prospective candidacy...

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This guy is what Democrats used to be like and should be like.

He could win the White House, if he gets the Dem. nomination.
---
If Bayh runs, he wins. Repubs are going to have a tough time keeping the presidency.

Bayh will take my state (Indiana) easily. The swing voters in the other states will pick him because he's handsome and friendly, and that's what the swing voters like.

The only way the pubs win is if the dems run a far lefty who can't disguise his or her far lefty-ness.
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If Bayh gets the nomination he will win the Election by winning Indiana, Ohio and all the existing Blue States.
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Hillary is 2008's Howard Dean. She'll charm the Democratic base, get all kinds of internet cash, but Bayh will trounce her in Iowa. The Dems are very, very tired of losing and they will not nominate another northeast liberal.
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It would not be that big but he would run the Table in the Midwest and the GOP would not have a chance in IN, MI, WI, OH and WV each of which have been at least in play.
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I don't think it'd be Reaganesque (that would probably come with Bayh's 2012 reelection) but I do think he'd sweep the Midwest and Southwest, obviously on top of the Northeast/Pacific liberal bastions, and he'd even cut into the South (AR, LA, FL and maybe VA, NC, TN).
---
Bayh would trounce Romney or especially Frist, IMHO. He would beat Jeb (who isn't running anyhow) and surely beat Condi and Cheney I think. I'm not so sure about Sen. Allen. I think Allen v Bayh would be another tight one. McCain would beat Bayh I think, but I dunno if he can get the nomination or who'd be worse for that matter. LOL
---
I can't decide who has a better chance of winning, Bayh or Clinton. The media much prefers Clinton, which may inflate her apparent ability to win. Bayh represents the direction that the Democrat party should turn in order to remain in existence, but Bayh has less name recognition. Clinton has the edge for now, but I wouldn't rule out Bayh.

Brazen Piracy by Sen Evan Bayh

2006-02-24T13:51:00.000-05:00

Brazen Piracy

Intellectual property theft by foreign companies is hurting the U.S. economy and undermining crucial support for global trade.

By Evan Bayh

A South Bend, Ind., company that makes industrial adhesives and lubricants, ABRO Industries Inc., lost more than $10 million in business to a Chinese competitor in 2004. When the final tally is in for 2005, the company expects to see even greater losses.

The problem is not that ABRO doesn't work as hard as its competitor, or that it isn't as innovative. The problem is that the Chinese company, Hunan Magic Power Industrial Co., steals ABRO's ideas and sells knock-off products in virtually identical packaging with little threat of punishment. Repeated attempts to stop the Chinese company through trade complaints have proven fruitless.

Unfortunately, ABRO's story is not unique. Across the country, American businesses are losing work and American workers are losing jobs because of intellectual property theft by foreign companies. This brazen piracy hurts our economy, threatens our public health and safety, and increasingly weakens our national security, but little is being done to stop it.

The idea that through hard work, ingenuity, and persistence, every American has an opportunity to get ahead is at the heart of the American promise. But when we allow foreign countries to steal our ideas at the cost of American jobs, that opportunity to succeed disappears, too.

In my travels across the country, I've sensed a growing anxiety about the future and a deep concern about the loss of this promise. As our capacity to innovate increasingly determines our competitive position in the global economy, the risk of intellectual property theft will continue to grow.

The American people have a right to expect their government to do something about that. We must address the issue of intellectual property theft to reassure the American people about the future and to restore the promise of America.

If we can stem the flow of counterfeit goods, we can make a material contribution toward correcting our budget deficit and our current trade imbalance, strengthening our national security, and protecting American jobs.

Intellectual property theft is costing American jobs and undermining crucial support for global trade. Statistics show that the United States has lost 750,000 jobs because of intellectual property theft; the FBI estimates that it costs American businesses between $200 billion and $250 billion per year. The global trading system isn't going to work very well if we buy from other countries when they have a competitive advantage, but they simply steal our ideas and hard work when we have a competitive advantage.

Intellectual property theft also threatens our public health and safety. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that more than 500,000 parts installed on airplanes each year are counterfeit. Counterfeit drugs make up 10 percent of the pharmaceutical market, endangering thousands of patients who depend on sensitive doses of medication to maintain their health. Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in San Francisco seized 51 shipments of counterfeit Tamiflu pills. Lab tests revealed that the counterfeit drugs contained only trace amounts of the active ingredients for Tamiflu, the drug that may help fight outbreaks of avian flu.

The fight for America's economic future is also a fight against global terrorism and terrorist financing. There is alarming evidence that al Qaeda, Hamas, and other regional terrorist organizations are deriving an increasing part of their financing from intellectual property theft and counterfeiting. According to U.S. News and World Report, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center was partially financed through the sale of counterfeit goods, particularly fake Nike T-shirts sold by a store on Broadway in New York City. Interpol has reported that seized al Qaeda training manuals are recommending the sale of fake goods as a revenue source for the organization's illegal activities.

The Bush administration's strategy for combating intellectual property theft has produced few results and offers little encouragement for cooperation among agencies in charge of intellectual property investigations. Most importantly, the current initiative doesn't include key agencies that could help us combat the threat that intellectual property theft poses to our national security.

To treat this threat with the urgency it deserves, I have introduced legislation with Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) that will aggressively fight the intellectual property theft that hurts American businesses and costs American jobs.

First, our legislation calls on the federal government to create a coordinated response to intellectual property theft. Essentially, we're going to give this the same priority and determination that we have already brought to the battle against money laundering and terrorist financing. We will create one organized task force to coordinate activities to stamp out intellectual property theft by the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and Treasury, with the leader of the task force working in the White House to ensure that this problem gets the attention it deserves. We will add Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to the task force, in recognition of the danger intellectual property theft poses to our national security.

We will also bring that same focus and determination to our global efforts. Under our legislation, the United States will be charged with taking the lead in bringing the world community together to fight global intellectual property theft, in the same way we already fight money laundering. Finally, we are going to require an annual report to Congress, with updates on the progress of this coordinated effort.

From terrorism to lost jobs, intellectual property theft affects Americans in almost every aspect of their lives. It's not often that in a single step you can help strengthen the U.S. economy, protect Americans' health and physical safety, and dry up terrorist financing. But the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Act would do exactly that. Globalization and trade can be good things. They offer new economic opportunities for American businesses and workers. But no country should be allowed to compete with an unfair advantage. The Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Act will help restore a level playing field and renew the promise of America.

Evan Bayh is U.S. senator from Indiana.

Sen Bayh takes a leadership role in the Ports Sale Debate

2006-02-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

As usual Sen Bayh has stepped up and taken a leadership role in the Ports Sale debate...

"We have to stop outsourcing our homeland security," Bayh, D-Ind., said in a statement issued by his office.

"The Dubai takeover is a symptom of a much larger problem. Again and again, the current system for overseeing foreign takeovers has undermined our national security interests by rubber stamping deals like this one."

Bayh's release said his legislation would ensure that "national security takes priority in all future business deals, whether they involve port security or any other homeland security concern."

The senator's proposal would require the Director of National Intelligence, rather than the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to approve sales.

A 2005 Government Accountability Office report requested by Bayh and two other senators found that CFIUS uses such a narrow definition of national security that it approves too many questionable takeovers without sufficient review, Bayh's office reported.

Political Derby Update

2006-02-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

Political Derby is a fun little website that shows how candidates are doing in the 2008 election... here's their latest update...

1 Hillary Clinton - Previous Ranking - 1, 2 and 3
For the first time since the rankings debuted, Hillary has horses in her rear view mirror. She's let her tongue out of the cage lately and it's punished her with a few significant faux paus. Nevertheless, she can still walk down any street in any major American metropolis and democrats practically throw their wallets at her. We still predict about the only thing that could derail her would be a former lover coming out on Larry King with details of a scandalous affair.

2 Mark Warner - Previous Ranking - 4
Warner has become the "it" guy on the PAC circuit and is generating more buzz than Bode Miller at a pre-race kegger. Though he's still an unknown across most of the country, the self-made gazillionaire won't have problems buying his way onto the backstretch of the 2008 race. But will four short years as Virginia governor and a career in cell phones ignite the base? Just imagine the campaign rallies, "Can you hear me now? Gooood."

3 Evan Bayh - Previous Ranking - 5
There may not be a more popular member of the Senate. His approval ratings are so astronomical they make even the Pope envious. If he can remind voters he was a successful two-term governor before joining the Congressional morgue, Bayh has a legit shot to challenge Warner as the anti-Hillary candidate.

4 John Kerry - Previous Ranking - 6
Though he continues to boast a remarkably loyal following and his volunteer network remains strong, it's almost impossible to imagine democrats giving the Frenchman another shot at the brass ring. Besides, will voters put someone with "hoof in mouth" disease in the White House?

5 John Edwards - Previous Ranking - 7
The younger half of Team Kedwards appears to be biting at the bit and rearing to go. Insiders say he may have learned more in 2004 than originally thought. He's courting unions 'round the clock and is uniting with Lethal Weapon's Danny Glover to protest low worker wages for trial attorneys.

6 Bill Richardson - Previous Ranking - 9
You would think that a governor having his "least productive [legislative] session ever" would be having a harder time gaining momentum. But Richardson has managed to turn his legislative defeats into political capital by championing tried and true party issues such as healthcare and minimum wage. Could his record on the issues save him from his record on his resume?

7 Tom Vilsack - Previous Ranking - 8
Who can argue against a guy fighting for the common man? Although Rocky Balboa he ain't, this Governor has run up the capital's steps calling for an end to all that threatens "working families." Although his policies are about as well understood as the Italian Stallion after a face full of Russian knuckle, he seems to be gaining some momentum.

8 Wes Clark - Previous Ranking - Unranked
Teaming up with Verizon and T- Mobile may not seem like the most typical political maneuver, but with the spotlight on privacy this ex-general has skillfully maneuvered his career with the finesse that would make Sun-Tzu proud. Clark is also butting in on Hillary's territory by staking out a stance on Iraq that criticizes the war without being defeatist.

9 Joe Biden - Previous Ranking - 10
Gotta love Joe; he has no problem speaking his mind. He has already acknowledged Hillary as the one to beat and is formulating a strategy to do just that. Given his popularity in the media, if a hearing about domestic eaves dropping does occur, expect to see the world tour of the Biden Talking Head.

10 Tom Daschle - Previous Ranking - Unranked
Being an ousted party leader tends to dent one's political ambitions. But apparently that won't keep this former Senate leader from giving a go at the White House. For now his only constituency seems to be media outlets who couldn't wrangle their first, second or seventeeth choices. In the end, democrats may have higher expectations than a more genial Oliver Twist pleading "please sir, I want some more."

Others receiving votes:

Howard Dean - something's wrong; it's been too long since he said something wacky

Russ Feingold - starting to dance with Ms. Momentum, but still a national unknown

Dianne Feinstein - could enough democrats decide she's a better choice to top the ticket than HRC?

Al Gore - even if global warming became a key issue, Gore wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell

Barak Obama - not ready for the top of the ticket, but a "stay out of the way" strategy could make him an attractive #2

Sen Bayh on FoxNews Sunday

2006-02-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

Sen Bayh spent the morning on FoxNews Sunday with Chris Wallace... here are some excerpts...

Sen Bayh on the Cheney Hunting Incident:

Video of U.S. REP. NANCY PELOSI, D-CALIF., MINORITY LEADER: This is yet again another manifestation of the arrogance of power of the White House. They don't come clean with the American people, or they think they're above the law and above accountability to the American people.

WALLACE: Senator Bayh, above the law, arrogance of power — isn't that the kind of talk that makes Democrats look silly?

BAYH: Well, Chris, this was mostly a personal tragedy. This man got shot, was in the hospital, had a heart attack. I think more than anything, it goes to show how out of touch Washington is with the rest of the country.

We've got deep problems in this country — economic, national security, financial — and I think most folks understand this for what it was, a hunting accident. Now we ought to get on with the business of addressing the major problems that face the country.

WALLACE: So you think that the House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is out of touch?

BAYH: Well, I would have a respectful difference of opinion on the magnitude of this issue. And to get to your question, look, should the information have been disclosed quicker? Yes, no question about it. Should they be more forthcoming? Yes.

But I think we need to pivot, then, and address the major issues, not make a mountain out of a molehill. When we do that, I think we run the risk of damaging our own credibility with mainstream America.

Sen Bayh on Security:

WALLACE: Senator Bayh, you said recently that Democrats shouldn't be afraid of talking about national security, shouldn't be scared off by Republicans. But you acknowledge that since Vietnam — and let's put it up on the screen — Democrats have been viewed by the American people as congenitally weak, too soft to be entrusted with our national security, as concerned with protecting Americans from our own government as from suicidal terrorists.

When Democrats disagree with the president about the NSA wiretaps, about the Patriot Act, about the conduct of the war in Iraq, shouldn't voters continue to see them as too weak and too soft?

BAYH: No, Chris, I don't think so. And the perception is one that is inaccurate. But if it's a perception that most Americans perceive, it's one we've got to address. So, look, we can go down these issues that you've mentioned one at a time. We need to do what it takes to listen to Al Qaeda operatives, to know where they're calling from, to protect this country, period.

But there's no reason why we can't do that — and Senator Graham would agree with me on this — while also providing the American people some checks and balances to ensure that our civil liberties are being protected. It's a false choice.

If we only choose one as Democrats, not the other, then we run into trouble. The gist of my speech, as you know, was we've had an administration that's been tough for five years, but tough alone isn't enough. We need to be tough and smart. Too often we Democrats are viewed as being weak. We need to be both tough and smart.

WALLACE: But, Senator Bayh, I just — I mean, you, obviously, as an individual senator can take any position you want, but the fact is that your Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, said at a news conference we've got the tape, we killed the Patriot Act.

It was Nancy Pelosi who talked about getting out of Iraq. I mean, this isn't image or spin. These are positions taken by the leaders of your congressional party.

BAYH: Well, we're about to reauthorize the Patriot Act. There was an attempt to filibuster it this week. It was defeated. I think only three votes supported that. So the vast majority of Democrats, Chris, are in favor of protecting this country.

We know that it is a dangerous world. We know that sometimes you have to use force to protect this country. But we need to do it in a way that is both tough and smart. You have to do both to truly provide for our nation's security.

And the irony of all this is, Chris, this administration has done so much to actually undermine our nation's security, whether it's Iraq, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, energy dependence, on and on and on.

Our problem, Chris, is that we want to, you know, hide from this issue. We want to try to change the subject. We have got to take it head on and reassure the American people that we have what it takes in a dangerous world to protect this nation.

Sen Bayh on the NSA Wiretapping and Congressional Oversight:

WALLACE: Senator Bayh, how do you feel about congressional oversight? How do you feel about court oversight? And do you think the White House will go along with it?

BAYH: It's nice to have some bipartisan agreement on your show here this morning, Chris. Look, we need to do what it takes to protect this country, period. There have been some technological changes that have taken place over the last 30 years that means that we need to go about that a little bit different way, and this program is doing that.

But at the same time, I've seen no reason, as Lindsey pointed out, that we can't do what it takes to protect America while also safeguarding our civil liberties. If there are some practical problems, the administration needs to come to us and tell us what they are so we can work with them to address those.

But it is in the administration's best interest to ensure there is some neutral party overseeing this to make sure that it's done right. Otherwise, you're going to have a number of Americans out there who incorrectly think that J. Edgar Hoover has been brought back to life and that there could be abuses taking place. And we don't want people to have to think that.

Sen Bayh on the Sale of US Port Operations to a company from the UAE:

WALLACE: Let me ask you both about another program that just really sort of bubbled up to the surface this week. The Bush administration has just approved a company from the United Arab Emirates called Dubai Ports World buying and taking over some of the operations, as you can see there on the screen, of six of America's biggest ports.

Some of your colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, say that this is potentially a serious security breach.

Senator Bayh, should this sale be blocked?

BAYH: I think we've got to look into this company, Chris. I think we've got to ensure ourselves that the American people's national security interests are going to be protected. And frankly, I think the threshold ought to be a little higher for a foreign firm. There can't be a choice between profits and protecting the American people.

We have to do, even if it costs us a couple extra bucks, what it takes to protect this country. I'll give you one little example. About 80 percent of the magnets that make our smart bombs go are now made in China. It's not smart to rely on China to produce important weapons systems for this country, just like it's not smart to outsource our port security if there's any doubt.

So, look. We have to do what it takes to protect America. When in doubt, if it costs us a little more money, well, that's the price of freedom.

WALLACE: Would you like to see a congressional investigation of this?

BAYH: I think we need to look into it to reassure ourselves, yes.

Finally the obligatory Sen Bayh on the 2008 election:

WALLACE: Senator Bayh, one last area I want to get into with you. It's no secret that you are actively considering a run for president in 2008. Last year, a senator from Indiana, you visited 22 states. By the end of the year, you had about $10 million in hand.

But let's take a look at the polls, if we can. According to the Cook Political Report, in a Democratic horse race, Senator Clinton, as you can see there, is way ahead. Senator Kerry is next. And you're back — here you come — in eighth place at 3 percent. With all due respect, sir, why isn't this a waste of your time and money?

BAYH: Chris, I care about the future of our country more than I do the polls. And I'm deeply concerned about the direction in which we're going, and I'm deeply concerned that this city that we're in today, Washington, D.C., is broken and rather than being an instrument for addressing our challenges has become an obstacle.

So I'm thinking about what role I might play in doing something about all of that. And it involves something more important than reading public opinion polls. You know, you do what you think is right. The politics tends to take care of itself.

WALLACE: Senator, one last question in this regard. You talked about the fact that Democrats, fairly or not, are viewed as soft.

BAYH: You'll give me credit for managing expectations well, Chris?

WALLACE: Yes. Yes. I would agree that nobody is overestimated at this point.

You talk about the fact that Democrats are viewed as being soft on national security. Given people's perceptions of her, fair or not, wouldn't be it a hard sell for the frontrunner in those polls that we just saw, Hillary Clinton, to persuade people that she can be tough on national security?

BAYH: Oh, I don't think so. If you're referring to her agenda, Chris, I think that's irrelevant.

WALLACE: I wasn't referring to her agenda.

BAYH: Well, OK. No, look. This is a general perception for our party. It is an inaccurate one. It's one that we need to take on. It is a threshold issue for a future commander in chief. Can we be tough enough and smart enough to protect this country?

Anyone who's going to be the nominee of our party and the president of the United States needs to meet that threshold first.

After Sen Bayh and Sen Graham were on, Fmr Sen Alan Simpson came on and added this postscript:

SIMPSON: I just want to tell — let me just say, it was very interesting hearing Lindsey and Evan Bayh. Evan Bayh won't be in eighth place when the race narrows up. That's a very splendid man, and I served with his dad. Enough of that. And I know Lindsey, too. Go ahead. Shoot the works.

The Many Travels of Evan Bayh

2006-02-19T10:16:00.000-05:00

Sunny Florida is a source for funds

With Congress in recess this week, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., has plenty of time to continue raising money and support for his potential 2008 presidential race.

Bayh heads to Florida on Sunday for a dinner hosted for him by attorney Mitchell Berger, a longtime Democratic donor and fundraiser.

Berger was a top fundraiser for Vice President Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign and worked on Gore's Florida recount effort. Berger raised money for the 2004 presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., after first supporting Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., in the primary.

After Florida, Bayh heads to Los Angeles on Monday and will be there through Friday morning for more meetings with potential supporters.

Campaign contributions generated either during the trip or in the future will go into Bayh's Senate campaign fund or his political action committee. The Senate funds can be rolled over into a presidential campaign if Bayh decides to run. The PAC money helps him travel the country and build a potential campaign team while deciding.

The team recently got a little larger. Bayh's PAC has hired Chris Hayler as a regional political director. Hayler, who worked on Kerry's Iowa campaign staff, helped set up Bayh's trip to Iowa last weekend.

Bayh's PAC has five full-time and three part-time employees though has not yet replaced Steve Bouchard, the New Hampshire native who was the PAC's executive director last year.

Bayh's Iowa trip was his third in the past year, and he has a third trip to New Hampshire planned for March 26-27. His agenda includes speaking at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for local Democrats.

Bayh also has trips planned to Georgia and North Carolina.

Sen Bayh on TV this weekend!

2006-02-17T16:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks Smithers!

Please watch Senator Bayh appear on Fox News Channel's Fox News Sunday program, this Sunday, February 19th, at 9:00am ET. He will be discussing recent events including the post-Katrina reconstruction process and Dick Cheney's hunting incident.

Later on Sunday, watch footage from Evan Bayh's recent trip to Iowa on C-SPAN's Road to the White House program, first at 6:30pm ET, with a repeat at 9:30pm ET.

Check your local television listings for exact times in your area.

Who knew he was a comedian?

2006-02-17T08:50:00.001-05:00

Sen Bayh gets the best one-liner of the day at yesterday's Senate Banking Committee hearing with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke...

Bernanke garnered compliments from the senators, as he did from House members the day before, for his clear speaking style when discussing financial issues.

"Congratulations on being able to speak in plain English and not move the markets," said Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.). "That's quite an accomplishment."

Sen Bayh in Iowa

2006-02-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

For a guy who's not running for President, he's sure spending a lot of time in Iowa... *wink*

Anyways... he's generating a lot of headlines...

Visiting senator calls for more leak details - Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh said in Des Moines on Monday that if Vice President Dick Cheney urged a subordinate to leak classified information for political gain, "We've got to get to the bottom of it."

Bayh To Visit Statehouse - Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is making another visit to central Iowa.
Bayh is scheduled to visit with members of the House Democratic Caucus at the Statehouse Monday afternoon.

Bayh pledges help to Democratic candidates - DES MOINES, Iowa - Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh met privately Monday with Democratic lawmakers, pledging his support throughout the fall campaign to help them regain control of the state Legislature.

Senator Evan Bayh doing intra-state work - Indiana senator and possible democratic presidential candidate, Evan Bayh wrapped up a three-day trip to Iowa Monday.
He pledged his support to help democratic lawmakers there regain control of the state legislature.

Bayh gives Iowa lawmakers lesson in bipartisanship - U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat who is considering a run for president in 2008, gave Iowa lawmakers a lesson in bipartisanship Monday at the Statehouse.The former Indiana governor talked with Democrats in the Iowa Senate in a closed-door meeting about the challenges of working in an evenly divided legislature

Presidential hopeful Bayh urges Iowa Democrats to focus on terrorism - CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Sen. Evan Bayh said Saturday Democrats shouldn't shy away from confronting President Bush on terrorism and national security because Republicans may be surprisingly vulnerable those issues."I believe for both substantive and political reasons we ought to take them on on that issue," Bayh said. "I believe they are vulnerable."

Bayh says Democrats must be able to prove they can keep U.S. safe - Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, who plans to visit Iowa today, on Friday discouraged fellow Democrats from making the Bush administration's use of wiretapping a campaign issue."This should not be a political fight," Bayh, who is weighing a campaign for president in 2008, said in a telephone interview.

Responses to Sen Bayh's Iran stance

2006-02-16T10:16:00.000-05:00

Mr Smiley from Indianapolis took exception to Sen Bayh's column...

In Sen. Evan Bayh's Feb. 12 My View, "Time to take a hard line on Iran's regime," he says that Iran is actively seeking to obtain nuclear weapons and proposes isolating Iran economically, politically and culturally. But this policy of U.S. bullying through economic sanctions has caused the rest of the world to hate America. I agree with Bayh that the current reactionary regime in Iran is playing a foolish political game, but Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. The U.S. and our European allies are using the situation to advance colonial policies in the Middle East.

Instead of encouraging confrontation, Bayh should demand the Bush administration and the Iranian regime return to the negotiating table with the object of conflict resolution instead of empty rhetoric. Indeed, the Democratic Party must not allow the Bush administration to dictate the terms of negotiations with Iran.

Well... that's all well and good and in a world where the sky is blue and all eyeglasses are rose-colored that may work. But we've been "demanding" they talk for a long time... and they say that they want to use it for "peaceful purposes" while at the same time saying that one of their neighbors should we wiped off the face of the Earth. Do YOU trust Iran? I sure as hell don't.
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Mr. Byers of Carmel wrote in:

Bayh couldn't lead Dems to be tough on terror

I'm not buying Evan Bayh's presidential posturing. In his My View on Feb. 12 he tried to convince voters he could be tough with Iran today by reaching back more than 40 years to the Cuban missile crisis for an example of Democratic toughness in standing up to bullies. Is that the best he can do? Unfortunately for Democrats, I think it is.

Bayh is a great guy, but if he were to be a tough president in the war on terror, he would be out of step with the rest of his party. He has to convince us what he would do now to stop Iran, not just criticize the Bush administration for waiting too long to use diplomacy.

Is Bayh capable of leading his party to support a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities when, in all likelihood, the United Nations and other diplomatic posturing fails? I might be able to convince myself that a President Bayh would have what it takes to make these decisions. I have no faith he can convince enough Democrats to follow him. That's why in his run for the White House, I'm not Bayhing.

Did Mr. Byers read the article? Sen Bayh listed 3-4 things he would do... And he's trying the lead the Democrats out of the pit of "soft of security"... He seems to think Sen Bayh is right, but no one will follow him. Well I'm standing behind him and I know a lot of other people are too. Here's a hint. Someone can't be a good leader if you aren't willing to follow. If you like what he's staying, stand up and get behind him and be an example.

Evan Bayh on Iran

2006-02-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

February 12, 2006

My View: Evan Bayh

Time to take hard line on Iran's regime

For 13 days in October of 1962, America was confronted with a hostile and aggressive nation attempting to place nuclear weapons a mere 90 miles from our shore. During that time, the so-called doomsday clock -- the world's indicator for impending nuclear war -- was the nearest it has ever been to midnight. The world now finds itself nearing a similar situation with the radical mullahs of Iran seeking to obtain nuclear weapons.

Fortunately for the United States and the world, the Kennedy administration reacted promptly and forcefully, using every means possible short of military force, while keeping the use of such force on the table, to resolve the situation peacefully. We need that same foresight, resolve and decisiveness today to avoid the unacceptable choice of using military force or accepting a nuclear Iran.

Unfortunately, those exact characteristics have been conspicuously absent from the Bush administration's Iran policy. Their approach has certainly been damaging to our national security. It is good that Iran's case is being sent to the United Nations Security Council, but there is no guarantee the council will do any more than it did when North Korea's case was sent to the world body three years ago. That is, nothing.

Iran has called for the destruction of Israel; its president has asked the Iranian people to envision a world without the United States and Israel; the regime fosters terrorism across the world and is actively supporting groups hostile to the United States. It is working on technology capable of delivering missiles long distances. And now it has resumed pernicious nuclear activities that present the gravest threat to the United States in decades.

If we had marshaled world opinion in 2002, we would not be here today. We have wasted valuable time, diverted resources, and ignored this problem at our peril. No one wants to forestall the need to use military force more than I do. But if we are to do so, we must act now. Time is of the essence.

First, the administration should focus on convincing the U.N. Security Council to actually take up Iran's case and to put in place strong, multi-national economic, political and diplomatic sanctions against Iran when it meets in March. If politics thwart U.N. action, it may be appropriate to look at other forums, such as NATO, to take hard steps against the clerics in Iran. We cannot afford to wait. The Iranian government must understand that if its nuclear activity continues, it will be treated as a pariah state. We must lead this charge.

Second, supplies of refined gasoline to Iran should be cut off. Iran may be one of the world's largest exporters of oil, but it does not have the refining capacity to make the gasoline necessary to make its economy run. Iran currently imports 40 percent of its refined gasoline from abroad.

Finally, Iran must be isolated diplomatically, financially and culturally. Their delegations should no longer be welcomed in countries around the world. Iranian assets should be frozen and financial and banking ties severed. Travel to and from Iran should be cut off and international flights should not be allowed to land or originate from Iran. Iran should also be banned from world events like soccer's World Cup and the Olympics.

We should be clear; our adversaries are not the Iranian people. We must make common cause with the Iranian people against a regime that threatens the world's and their people's best interests. Most Iranians are as disillusioned with their government as the rest of the world.

We should expect repercussions and retaliation from Iran, which will be exacerbated because of the administration's delay, but the downside of doing nothing will be far worse. Iran has threatened to suspend its oil exports. It may well. But it would be doing grave damage to its own economy. Oil exports keep the Iranian economy afloat. How long could the regime sustain itself without oil revenues? Not long.

No doubt Tehran would use its terrorism surrogates. They may strike our embassies and step up activities across the globe, but we cannot be bullied into allowing such a regime to have nuclear weapons. Just imagine what kind of blackmail Iran could exert on the world then.

The opportunity we have to avoid the choice between military action and a nuclear-capable Iran may be fast approaching. It's up to all of us -- Democrats and Republicans -- to make sure we don't learn what could have happened with different leadership in October of 1962.

No bias here... of course not...

2006-02-13T11:31:00.000-05:00

The IndyStar is at it again... Sen Bayh recently spoke before the UAW National Convention and everyone says he did a smashing job... But that was before they had a chance to do their "analysis"...

Once they had time to consider it more they realized that maybe it wasn't THAT good of a speech, after all, Hillary got more attention. Well DUH... of course she got more attention, she's by far the more well known of the two. Look deeper! Look at the content of what was said, not just how many times someone said "We love you Hillary!"

Why Bayh?

2006-02-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

Well this is my first Blog... I decided to join the online Blogging for Bayh movement... First up is something I wrote a while ago about why I'm backing Bayh in 2008...
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Why I’m backing Bayh in 2008

“The Democratic Party has an important decision to make. Do we want to vent or do we want to govern?” Senator Evan Bayh spoke those words in 2003 as the primary season for the 2004 Presidential election was just getting started. They are still true today. In a couple of years we are going to be faced with a question of who are we going to support in the campaigns for President. My choice is Senator Evan Bayh.

We can no longer look to the past and continue to complain about the events of the past few years. It may feel good to get the anger off our chest, but it will serve no purpose other than looking like we are sore losers. We had a chance to hold President Bush accountable for his job performance as President and we lost. It’s time to put the past behind us and look to the future.

That is why I am backing Senator Evan Bayh. Senator Bayh understands that when someone is elected President, he is elected President of the United States, not President of the Democrats or Republicans, or President of liberals or conservatives. You must be able to work with your opponents, not alienate them. You must be willing to listen to your opponents, not ignore them.

Senator Bayh has a long track record of working with both sides in forging bipartisan partnerships. His record as Governor and Senator presents a solid record of governing from the center. Governing from the center is crucial if we want to bind the rift that has split this country apart into Red and Blue. As Americans, we have many challenges to face in the coming years and ruling from either the right or left of the political spectrum will only serve to alienate the citizens on the opposite side thus hurting the country we all love as a whole.

The most important thing to remember is that what is best for political ideology isn’t always what’s best for the country. It’s time to stop thinking about our party and think about our country. It’s time to stop thinking about how we’ve been wronged and think about how we can make it right. It’s time to stop thinking about left vs. right or red vs. blue and start thinking about bringing the country together again. It’s time to back Senator Evan Bayh.