Showing posts with label Evan Bayh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evan Bayh. Show all posts
I'm guessing that you've noticed, probably read or heard about, the gap between sides in Washington. It has been in existence since the invention of this government, when the Republicans and Federalists used newspapers to bash each other and good friends Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were on opposite sides.
In 2010 we may be looking at a gap of historical, Grand Canyon-like proportions. And it may have little to nothing to do with real partisan divide.
Just yesterday, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh said while announcing that he will not run for a third term (despite a lead in the polls and something like $13 million in the bank - AKA the race won already) that the Senate has become too partisan, making progress impossible. Where he's been the last six years is another thing, but that doesn't make his point false. As a matter of fact, it might be the truest thing he could have said.
(Side note: heard an interesting, sort of joke, idea today that went like this: Hilary Clinton only wants to do one term of Sec. of State, so she resigns. Then Biden resigns to take Sec. of State job - sounds crazy, but he isn't going to be president, meaning he's holding this incredibly ceremonial job with no end reward - then, you guessed it, Mr. Moderate, Bayh runs as VP candidate in 2012. Crazier things...)
[More]
In 2010 we may be looking at a gap of historical, Grand Canyon-like proportions. And it may have little to nothing to do with real partisan divide.
Just yesterday, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh said while announcing that he will not run for a third term (despite a lead in the polls and something like $13 million in the bank - AKA the race won already) that the Senate has become too partisan, making progress impossible. Where he's been the last six years is another thing, but that doesn't make his point false. As a matter of fact, it might be the truest thing he could have said.
(Side note: heard an interesting, sort of joke, idea today that went like this: Hilary Clinton only wants to do one term of Sec. of State, so she resigns. Then Biden resigns to take Sec. of State job - sounds crazy, but he isn't going to be president, meaning he's holding this incredibly ceremonial job with no end reward - then, you guessed it, Mr. Moderate, Bayh runs as VP candidate in 2012. Crazier things...)
A good Tuesday morning, a day in which Democrats are once again scrambling to replace a Senator in a state in which they aren't so popular. And it's snowing in DC.
So basically, not a whole lot has changed.
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, one of the most moderate Dems in Congress (you'd have to be from the Hoosier state), has announced that he will not seek re-election to a third term. In his press conference yesterday he said something about it being impossible to get anything done in the Senate, but that he still loves working for the people. It was startlingly similar to a speech given by a particular Alaskan politician. Can't remember her name...
Anyway, Bayh makes this announcement the day before signatures were due to put your name on the Indiana primary ballot. He also does it with $13 million in the bank, which is what caught many by surprise. The Hotline explains a little more about the process, basically saying that Dems will just choose a candidate and avoid a primary - probably a good thing.
This has already stirred up the talk about whether Democrats will lose the majority in the Senate - as if that majority has meant something up to this point - and Politico led off with that story today. Entitled "Five Ways to Lose the Senate Majority," some (hopefully all) of you Washingtonians might recognize one of the faces.
[More]
So basically, not a whole lot has changed.
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, one of the most moderate Dems in Congress (you'd have to be from the Hoosier state), has announced that he will not seek re-election to a third term. In his press conference yesterday he said something about it being impossible to get anything done in the Senate, but that he still loves working for the people. It was startlingly similar to a speech given by a particular Alaskan politician. Can't remember her name...
Anyway, Bayh makes this announcement the day before signatures were due to put your name on the Indiana primary ballot. He also does it with $13 million in the bank, which is what caught many by surprise. The Hotline explains a little more about the process, basically saying that Dems will just choose a candidate and avoid a primary - probably a good thing.
This has already stirred up the talk about whether Democrats will lose the majority in the Senate - as if that majority has meant something up to this point - and Politico led off with that story today. Entitled "Five Ways to Lose the Senate Majority," some (hopefully all) of you Washingtonians might recognize one of the faces.