Comments on: Bayh's Unbelievable Exit Line http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/ Reality-based political commentary Sat, 02 May 2026 07:43:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Moderate http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7740 Moderate Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:13:12 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7740 Been reading some Indiana-based political blogs and in particular there was one from a Democrat who's actually concerned that Brad Ellsworth's decision, not only to run for Senate but to have Trent van Haaften run in his place, may actually cost Democrats not one, not two, but three seats. They reckon Ellsworth could lose the senate seat (many polling organisations now have Indiana leaning Republican in November), that van Haaften will lose Ellsworth's seat (he's a left-wing liberal running for a conservative seat and is fighting off a slew of accusations over special interests) and that van Haaften's state legislature seat could also be lost. If Bayh was unpopular before... Been reading some Indiana-based political blogs and in particular there was one from a Democrat who's actually concerned that Brad Ellsworth's decision, not only to run for Senate but to have Trent van Haaften run in his place, may actually cost Democrats not one, not two, but three seats.

They reckon Ellsworth could lose the senate seat (many polling organisations now have Indiana leaning Republican in November), that van Haaften will lose Ellsworth's seat (he's a left-wing liberal running for a conservative seat and is fighting off a slew of accusations over special interests) and that van Haaften's state legislature seat could also be lost. If Bayh was unpopular before...

]]> By: Moderate http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7712 Moderate Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:10:12 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7712 Chris, I think based on this line: <i>For those who want Democrats to act more like Democrats..</i> He meant far left "progressive" Democrats. The "real" Democrats, unlike the more moderate Bayh. I think he's right too, perversely enough the far left has much more difficulty getting elected than the far right (how many bible bashing "Religious Right" types are there in Congress? I rest my case.) FYI, I'm no fan of the "Religious Right" types either. Chris, I think based on this line:

For those who want Democrats to act more like Democrats..

He meant far left "progressive" Democrats. The "real" Democrats, unlike the more moderate Bayh. I think he's right too, perversely enough the far left has much more difficulty getting elected than the far right (how many bible bashing "Religious Right" types are there in Congress? I rest my case.)

FYI, I'm no fan of the "Religious Right" types either.

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7707 Chris Weigant Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:49:22 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7707 Michale - Which kind of Democrats? Bayh, or his replacement candidate? Or are you speaking in general, about far left Democrats? Or Blue Dog Democrats? I'm confused... -CW Michale -

Which kind of Democrats? Bayh, or his replacement candidate?

Or are you speaking in general, about far left Democrats? Or Blue Dog Democrats?

I'm confused...

-CW

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7672 Michale Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:53:44 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7672 For those who want Democrats to act more like Democrats.. The PROBLEM with that is the American people, by and large, won't elect those kinds of Democrats. Or, to be more accurate, the American people won't RE-elect those kinds of Democrats. Michale..... For those who want Democrats to act more like Democrats..

The PROBLEM with that is the American people, by and large, won't elect those kinds of Democrats.

Or, to be more accurate, the American people won't RE-elect those kinds of Democrats.

Michale.....

]]> By: Moderate http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7671 Moderate Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:41:45 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7671 <i>He has been part of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) for years, which brought us the notion that if Democrats just got in bed with big corporations, then they could pull in those big campaign bucks just like the Republicans.</i> Worked for Bill Clinton ;-) The main issue with Bayh has little to do with his ideology, but more the fact he was enjoying a 20-point lead. If the Democrats parachute in one of their Indiana Reps, that's a risky gamble to take. If it pays off, they keep both seats, if it doesn't, they could lose both. However if they don't take the gamble, whoever comes in won't enjoy the same kind of odds.. Especially as people may feel they were cheated out of the chance to vote in the primaries by what they may perceive as a "bait and switch". As you said, the Republicans are already pushing this spin out there, and will keep doing so right up until November. It won't be comfortable for the Democrats. What Dodd did was precisely what Bayh should've done. Dodd's old seat is currently 99-100% likely to remain Democrat, from the polls I've seen, but Dodd would almost certainly have lost it. Bayh, on the other hand, was on track to keep his seat, and may have torpedoed his own party with this. He has been part of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) for years, which brought us the notion that if Democrats just got in bed with big corporations, then they could pull in those big campaign bucks just like the Republicans.

Worked for Bill Clinton ;-)

The main issue with Bayh has little to do with his ideology, but more the fact he was enjoying a 20-point lead. If the Democrats parachute in one of their Indiana Reps, that's a risky gamble to take. If it pays off, they keep both seats, if it doesn't, they could lose both. However if they don't take the gamble, whoever comes in won't enjoy the same kind of odds..

Especially as people may feel they were cheated out of the chance to vote in the primaries by what they may perceive as a "bait and switch". As you said, the Republicans are already pushing this spin out there, and will keep doing so right up until November. It won't be comfortable for the Democrats.

What Dodd did was precisely what Bayh should've done. Dodd's old seat is currently 99-100% likely to remain Democrat, from the polls I've seen, but Dodd would almost certainly have lost it. Bayh, on the other hand, was on track to keep his seat, and may have torpedoed his own party with this.

]]> By: akadjian http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7664 akadjian Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:13:30 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7664 Evan Bayh - The soul hope for bipartisanship leaves Senate! The media coverage of his resignation has been absolutely atrocious. Listening to the news, you'd think he was Mother Theresa. Evan Bayh - The soul hope for bipartisanship leaves Senate!

The media coverage of his resignation has been absolutely atrocious. Listening to the news, you'd think he was Mother Theresa.

]]> By: fstanley http://www.chrisweigant.com/2010/02/16/bayhs-unbelievable-exit-line/#comment-7663 fstanley Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:09:02 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=1525#comment-7663 I am against more "blue dog" dems since they are DINOs and part of the current problem. I think they should form their own parties. There needs to be more honesty about where a candidate stands on the issues and once they are elected they need to be held accountable. ...Stan I am against more "blue dog" dems since they are DINOs and part of the current problem. I think they should form their own parties. There needs to be more honesty about where a candidate stands on the issues and once they are elected they need to be held accountable.

...Stan

]]>