Evan Bayh retiring

[Anonymous]

This is surprising news.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, but he and the Senate Democrat leadership are pretty out of step with each other right now - being a moderate Democrat right now is a pretty lonely place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, but he and the Senate Democrat leadership are pretty out of step with each other right now - being a moderate Democrat right now is a pretty lonely place.

I would take it a step further. It shows how out of step the Senate Democrat leadership is with the country. Bayh had tremendous appeal to moderates and independents. Just a couple of years ago, his name was floated around as a presidential contender. If Reid and company can alienate a likeable two term senator from a moderate or slightly right leaning state, it is clear evidence that the party has been hijacked.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
I would take it a step further. It shows how out of step the Senate Democrat leadership is with the country. Bayh had tremendous appeal to moderates and independents. Just a couple of years ago, his name was floated around as a presidential contender. If Reid and company can alienate a likeable two term senator from a moderate or slightly right leaning state, it is clear evidence that the party has been hijacked.

This is a strange analysis. What makes you think that Bayh quit because of the Democratic leadership? In his statement Bayh explicitly mentioned the failure to gain passage of a commission to examine the deficit. The Democratic leadership supported that commission and Obama says he will appoint such a commission by executive order. The bill's passage was prevented by Senate Republicans who filibustered it (and some of those had actually co-sponsored the bill).

Arlen Spector didn't simply decide not to run again, but actually quit the Republican party. Does that mean that the Republican leadership is out of touch? In fact, more Republican Senators have announced their retirements than have Democratic Senators. So, what does that say about who is or is not in touch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, but he and the Senate Democrat leadership are pretty out of step with each other right now - being a moderate Democrat right now is a pretty lonely place.

OK, so the guy quits because he is sick of partisan politics. And so you conclude that he is a moderate sick of liberal democrats. It couldn't POSSIBLY be that he's sick of Republicans. Why, they are the meek and powerless minority, they don't cause any trouble at all!

Since as good conservatives, you are probably down with the Lord, let me drop some Matthew 7 on you:

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

[Anonymous]

I like Douthat's take on it in the NY Times: http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/the-emptiness-of-evan-bayh/. I think of Douthat as part of the rational right, a conservative who does not feel it is his calling to bash liberals at every opportunity.

I find it a bit humorous that progressives are pining over the probable loss of his seat, since Bayh's vote was so iffy anyway. "Damn that Bayh, you can never count on him -- and isn't it terrible that he's leaving!" It reminds me of the old Catskills joke about the guest at a hotel, who complains about how bad the food is, and then adds "And the servings are so small!"

[Anonymous]

Well, at least it wasn't becuase he needed to spend more time with his family to heal after some torrid indescretion.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, meant indiscretion.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
I find it a bit humorous that progressives are pining over the probable loss of his seat, since Bayh's vote was so iffy anyway. "Damn that Bayh, you can never count on him -- and isn't it terrible that he's leaving!" It reminds me of the old Catskills joke about the guest at a hotel, who complains about how bad the food is, and then adds "And the servings are so small!"

It is the circumstances of Bayh leaving more than the fact of it that is problematic to some liberals (but not to me, personally). As a liberal, I will not miss Bayh's constant roadblocks to the Democratic agenda. As someone said yesterday, he attempted to be the Republican's favorite Democrat and almost succeeded. Had he announced months ago that he intended to resign, few liberals would have complained. As it happened, he announced one day before the signature deadline, meaning a primary election is impossible. He also raised $13 million which is money that won't be available to whoever is chosen to run in his place. A good Democrat would have shown more concern for his party, but Bayh never really showed much interest in being a good Democrat. Therefore, I am glad to see him leave even if it is under less than ideal circumstances.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I find it a bit humorous that progressives are pining over the probable loss of his seat, since Bayh's vote was so iffy anyway. "Damn that Bayh, you can never count on him -- and isn't it terrible that he's leaving!" It reminds me of the old Catskills joke about the guest at a hotel, who complains about how bad the food is, and then adds "And the servings are so small!"

It is the circumstances of Bayh leaving more than the fact of it that is problematic to some liberals (but not to me, personally). As a liberal, I will not miss Bayh's constant roadblocks to the Democratic agenda. As someone said yesterday, he attempted to be the Republican's favorite Democrat and almost succeeded. Had he announced months ago that he intended to resign, few liberals would have complained. As it happened, he announced one day before the signature deadline, meaning a primary election is impossible. He also raised $13 million which is money that won't be available to whoever is chosen to run in his place. A good Democrat would have shown more concern for his party, but Bayh never really showed much interest in being a good Democrat. Therefore, I am glad to see him leave even if it is under less than ideal circumstances.

This is what I meant when I said it was a surprise. (I'm the OP.) I don't understand the timing. It leaves the Democratic Party in a difficult position.

[Anonymous]

I find it hard to conclude that Bayh was singularly disgusted with one side or the other of the political aisle. Certainly the GOP senators who withdrew support from the deficit commission legislation could indicate he was upset with the GOP. However, he had some tough questions for Obama earlier this month at the recent Democrat leadership issue. That, the timing, and the fact that Harry Reid was not pre-notified would support conclusions that he was feeling no Democrat love either. I think he just walked away from the entire cesspool that is Congress today.