Hill drops out of U.S. Senate race; Bayh likely to enter

[ehrnst]

Source: Evansville Courier and Press

In a twist that could influence control of the U.S. Senate, Baron Hill announced today he is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate, presumably to make room for Evan Bayh, who served as both as a senator and governor of Indiana

Hill did not mention Bayh by name in his announcement, only saying that a nominee with better name recognition would help the Democratic Party take over the U.S. Senate.

"Democrats have a very real chance at winning this Senate seat, especially with a strong nominee who has the money, name identification and resources to win," Hill said. "I do not want to stand in the way of Democrats winning Indiana and the U.S. Senate."

An announcement from Bayh saying he will be asking to be placed on the ballot is expected later Monday. His return to politics will shake up the race for Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat, which is being vacated by Sen. Dan Coats at the end of the year. Coats' seat was originally Bayh's seat when Bayh announced he wouldn't be running for re-election in 2010.


Read more: http://www.courierpress.com/news/state/hill-drops-out-of-us-senate-race-bayh-likely-to-enter-375d5caf-1395-4457-e053-0100007f790c-386306571.html

[LittleGirl]

1. wow, that's interesting

He screwed over Indiana when he dropped out of the race and gave Hoosiers Dan Coats because he waited too long to make a decision. I doubt I'd forgive Bayh for that considering he left the state to work as a lobbyist. Just the facts folks.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. From what I've read

at the time, which was very little,

DINO, or close to it.

[LittleGirl]

5. He supported Clinton

over Obama and I don't remember exactly what he said, can't quote but if he sees Clinton winning, I'm sure he's going to latch on to that in order to advance his position. His father, rest in peace, was a true liberal.

[BlueStater]

10. His father is still alive. n/t

[LittleGirl]

23. oops. I thought he was gone.

Maybe I'm thinking of his grandfather. Birch

[sobenji]

28. Birch is his dad. Alive and well at 88

[LittleGirl]

29. oh, okay eom

[Cosmocat]

7. There is no "middle" in america politics

Just conservative democrats.

That is a simple reality of where we are today.

I know idealistically we would want to see fire breathing progressives like Sherrod Brown or Elizabeth Warren all over the place, like you see to the right for team R. They MOSTLY are flame throwing jackasses, but even the ones who aren't VOTE uniformly with the ones who do.

Just not the reality of where things are today.

The "middle" exists in the democratic party.

The Evan Bayhs of the world.

[Adrahil]

18. Yeah, a far left democrat cannot get elected in Indiana.

Pretty Red State here. But we actually have a shot at TWO Democratic Senators. In this case, "perfect" is definitely the enemy of "good enough." Bayh is still very popular here and would make a hard pull for Indiana much easier.

[cstanleytech]

25. I would not say that they cannot rather it would be extremely difficult as something would

have to change suddenly like a massive IQ boost for the population or something similar that would cause the majority of voters to think for themselves rather than being told what to think or believe in.

[1StrongBlackMan]

30. LOL ... In other words, "Cannot" ...

as neither of those to change qualifiers is likely to occur anytime soon.

[cstanleytech]

35. Well you never know it "could" happen though I wouldnt be willing to wager any money

on it

[caraher]

39. Well, Obama won Indiana in 2008

I would have bet heavily against that, too!

[1StrongBlackMan]

43. Wise decision ...

[radical noodle]

36. Exactly

Being a Democrat, even a middle of the road one, is not easy. Bayh is about as good as it will get and he will support Dems in most things... but he would represent a very conservative state.

[blue neen]

21. That is your opinion, and you are entitled to it...

but, there are people who live in the "middle".

Middle does not equal Conservative.

[Zen Democrat]

27. In Evan Bayh's case it does. He's quite conservative.

[blue neen]

34. That may be true.

You probably know more about him than I do. It does seem, though, that in the state of Indiana it would be difficult to get someone who is considered far left elected to the Senate, so Bayh may be a good choice for Indiana.

It would be great if Democrats could pick up another seat.....

[n2doc]

3. DINO Bayh would be slightly better than an R

But nothing other than a 'sensible woodchuck', so to speak.

[Cosmocat]

9. Yep, see post #7

nm

[whatthehey]

11. There's no slightly about it. Never is.

The very worst of both "--NO" suffix candidates vote with the opposing party about 20% of the time, almost never in leadership elections, and always count when assigning invaluable committee headcounts and chairs. So imagine the worst D you can running against the best R (and in IN it's not like you'll be running against anything even approaching the best R). You get 60% more D leaning votes on the roll call and another checkbox for getting Ds to set the agenda and pass bills out of committee purgatory. That's only "slight" to blind ideologues.

[1StrongBlackMan]

31. I know ...

whereas, Democrats cannot count on conservative Democrats to write progressive legislation, they ARE a fairly reliable caucus consistent vote on the big legislation (somewhere around 80+%) and, regardless of their voting record, are on the roll that determines House/Senate majorities (i.e., committee leadership).

[RandySF]

15. It could mean McConell out as Senate leader

That works for me.

[still_one]

26. no question he is not progressive. It is not clear to me if a progressive could even win in

Indiana today.

Bayh would be better than a republican, if for only the fact that it could help Democrats assume the majority in the Senate

No, I am not a fan of Bayh, but I sure would rather have a Democrat in that seat than a republican

[radical noodle]

37. The state is full of Tea Baggers

at least in the area in which I lived most of my life. I don't think a true progressive has a chance in hell of winning Indiana unless running against a Communist or a Martian.

[still_one]

41. That is sad

[seabeckind]

38. Obama carried Indiana in 2008.

Whole bunch of disgruntled people in the cities and university cities.

They more than match the disgruntled teanuts in numbers.

Give them something to vote for and they'll come out.

[radical noodle]

44. Obama carried the state because of GW Bush

They hadn't voted for a Dem for president since LBJ. Hillary beat Obama there in the primary. The 2008 vote was all about Dubya. Romney beat Obama by about 10 points in 2012. I lived in Indiana for 65 years. It's just super conservative.

[hrmjustin]

4. Not a fan of the man but at least we might pick up the seat.

[seabeckind]

6. I think direction is important.

He's third way, neoliberal.

IOW, reagan economics wrapped in a liberal (to some extent) social leaning.

[RandySF]

16. But no more Mitch running the Senate.

[still_one]

42. exactly Randy

[seabeckind]

8. The revolving door is well greased, I see. n/t

[tonyt53]

12. Based upon some of the responses to this post, it appears some are willing to cede to the GOP

Bayh WILL vote with the majority of the Democratic Party Senators. This gives Dems one down, five more to go.

[TwilightZone]

24. Agreed.

Numbers are numbers, with the possible exception of Ben Nelson, and even his ~50% was better than 0%.

And, Bayh isn't Nelson.

[sobenji]

13. As a Hoosier

I'm doing backflips (not really...too old, too fat).

Sure he's not as progressive as I'd like, but Baron Hill (who's also isn't very progressive) was never going to beat Todd Young.

Bayh voted for the ACA, and voted along party lines 95% of the time. His name is like royalty here.
He will confirm HRC's judicial appointments, and more importantly, may help her win Indiana.

Great day for Hoosiers.

[iandhr]

17. How dare you

This form is the place to bash Democrats not to pointing out that a moderate Democrat would still invite with the party on the overwhelming majority of issues and would be 1 million times better than a Republican.

[sobenji]

19. My bad

I'll pretend to be outraged

[LiberalFighter]

14. I'm not a fan of Evan Bayh but he likely has a better chance of winning then Baron.

Checking govtrack and it appears ideology they are nearly the same. But, I think Baron Hill though was becoming more liberal. The problem likely is name recognition.

[OKNancy]

20. Some are saying this puts Indiana in the toss up column now... plus

better a Democrat votes with our side 75% of the time than a Republican who votes 0%.

Those who don't understand that reality... well, they don't understand at all.

[Moostache]

22. Always assumed he would be back someday...

I was surprised Bayh left in the first place, but in the back of my mind I assumed he would resurface again.

He is probably the only kind of Democrat that can win in Indiana these days. Maybe not perfect, but I can see him counting as head count for the chamber and also a semi-reliable Democratic vote on issues.

[riversedge]

32. k and r

[FBaggins]

33. Would Bayh be running as an Independent?

I thought that the filing deadline was long since past for all but "I"s?

[caraher]

40. No, because Hill was the nominee but vacated the nomination

According to the link in the OP, there is a committee of 33 state Democratic leaders who will select a nominee. It may not be Bayh... in theory.

It will be up to the State Democrat committee, comprised of 33 voting members, to officially name Hill's replacement. In accordance with state law, a 10-day notice of the meeting was sent out Monday morning, after Hill's resignation paperwork was received. The meeting is expected to take place on July 22. Interested candidates have until 72 hours before the meeting to submit the necessary paperwork to the state party and Indiana's Election Commission.

But it will be Bayh.

[bigwillq]

45. I've never liked Bayh.

He's just never appealed to me.

But, if he runs, I hope he beats the R.