Bahy Bahy

Didn't see this coming: Evan Bayh will not be running for re-election. Evan Bayh Bows Out of Senate Race

Sen. Evan Bayh will not run for re-election, a decision that will shock Democrats and Republicans alike in Indiana.

In prepared remarks, Bayh, 54, cited excessive partisanship that makes progress on public policy difficult to achieve as the motivation for his decision.

Only days ago, Bayh’s staff, close associates and Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker, who was manager of Bayh’s re-election campaign, had assured an Indianapolis Star reporter that he would definitely seek a third term in the U.S. Senate. And Democrats recently released a poll showing Bayh easily ahead of both former Sen. Dan Coats and former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, two of the four Republicans seeking the GOP nomination.

But in his statement, Bayh cited recent stalemates in Congress.

“Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed, but seven members who had endorsed the idea instead voted ‘no’ for short-term political reasons,” he said.

“Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create jobs — the public’s top priority — fell apart amid complaints from both the left and right. All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state and our nation than continued service in Congress.”

I guess "excessive partisanship" is Newspeak for "the GOP is going to make a strong effort to knock me out of office."

Anyway, somewhat surprising, I guess, since Bayh could always play the "moderate at home/liberal in DC" game with the best of them. After the last year, however, it has become painfully clear that there is no such thing as a functional moderate Democrat. They are simply fronts for the progressives that rule the Democratic Party. Then again, Bayh's political career has never really achieved the heights many expected. Here's what I wrote about him in my 2009 Senate Democrats Preview

Evan Bayh: son of a Senator (the awesomely named “Birch Bayh”). Cut taxes and spending while governor of IN and achieved 80% approval ratings. Member of the DLC and a major figure in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, always seeming to be on the verge of a presidential run. Generally supportive of the War on Terror. Voted for the Iraq War, but by 2006, he was reduced to muttering darkly about “neo-cons.” Votes for the Ag Bill, of course. Has become less moderate with time: he has a 100% rating from NARAL and high ratings from the ACLU and HRC. Voted against most of GW Bush’s major appointees. His wife is a “professional board member,” which sometimes causes Bayh political grief. In a lot of ways, Bayh is a New Democrat whom time is passing by. Voted for TARP and then against it. 3 Wellstones.

Moderates like Bayh may start out as tax cutting liberals, but they always end up in the same place; voting for progressive legislation their constituents hate because the "leadership" demands it. By voting for Obamacare, Bayh betrayed his constituents, but was then himself betrayed by his fellow Dems who always liked him for the "moderate" cover he could give them; but were perfectly willing to demand that he make a politically destructive vote to satisfy the dreams of the progressive left. I would get out, too.

UPDATE: Looks like Bayh is showing as much party loyalty as he thinks is appropriate. The Dems have until tomorrow to file papers for someone - anyone - to run in the primary,