The Real Reason Evan Bayh Retired
February 16, 2010 · carl · Print This Article
Senator Evan Bayh (D) Indiana, is the latest in a growing list of Democrat incumbents who are bowing out of re-election bids in 2010.
Many political pundits are making the claim that the reason for Bayh’s retirement announcement is that come November, he would face a challenge from the man who held the Senate seat before him, Republican Dan Coats.
Even the RNC has gotten into the act.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said that Bayh’s retirement was just one more example of Democrats “running for the hills.”
My opinion is that folks who share Michael Steele’s belief are dead wrong.
Bayh, a former governor, has won a Senatorial election in Indiana twice, proving that he has a lot of bi-partisan voter support in a perennially red state.
Ever since Barack Obama won the Presidency, Evan Bayh has been butting heads with his fellow Democrats, stating in no uncertain terms that they should be focusing more on jobs creation and fiscal responsibility than on passing health care reform and cap and trade measures.
Among the numerous reasons Bayh gave for his retirement:
“There is much too much partisanship and not enough progress; too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous national challenge, the people’s business is not getting done.”
He has also made the claim that his re-election prospects did not influence his decision:
“My decision was not motivated by political concern. Even in the current challenging political environment, I am confident in my prospects for reelection.”
I believe that Bayh is being sincere in the reasons he is claiming are behind his actions.
However.
I think that Senator Bayh is only telling part of the story.
It’s well known in Washington political circles that Bayh harbors Presidential ambitions.
With the popularity and approval numbers for Congress and President Obama dropping on a daily basis, his retirement announcement is also savvy political strategy.
Bayh is saying, in effect: ”I quit! You people are more concerned with your own agendas and political power than you are with serving the American people!”
Come 2012, a man who can point to that resolve as a reason for stepping down, along with a history of being able to attract Republican votes, just could make Bayh a prime contender for the Democrat Presidential nomination.
Stay tuned.
Cross-posted at Vote 2010
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