The American Spectator : Bayh Bayh Evan?

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Bayh Bayh Evan?

By RiShawn Biddle on 12.17.09 @ 6:08AM

Indiana's milquetoast quasi-moderate junior senator may not be a re-election shoo-in next year.

Birch Evans (Evan) Bayh III is the last person factoring into the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee's efforts to retain control of the upper house. Amid abysmal poll numbers for Majority Leader Harry Reid, Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter and Connecticut's Christopher Dodd, the junior senator from Indiana's 63 percent favorable rating in the state Democratic Party's internal poll makes a third term a likely reality.

The former Indiana governor's $12 million war chest -- and a declaration by the Republican Senate campaign czar John Cornyn that the seat was not a "priority" -- seemingly clears Bayh of any meaningful GOP competition. Despite being the son of a legendarily colorful liberal senator -- and to the disdain of progressives everywhere -- Bayh fils has cultivated an image of bland-but-sensible moderate by serving as chairman of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, voting for the War in Iraq, and unsuccessfully proposing such family-friendly measures as an initiative to promote fatherhood.

"What makes America special (is that) the Oath of Allegiance to our country is really the Oath of Allegiance to an idea, to a dream, to a promise," declared Bayh three years ago to graduates of DePauw University in one of his usual snore-speeches.

But these days, Bayh can no longer say that winning re-election is an absolutely sure thing. In the minds of many Hoosiers, Bayh's support for the proposed healthcare reform plan is just the latest reminder that his fiscal and social conservatism is more image than reality. On the ground, the state Democratic machine he built into a powerhouse is in tatters. Anger and fatigue among Indiana voters, who, like their fellow voters, want an end to the current recession may subject Bayh to the particular consequences of an anti-incumbency mood. Meanwhile Bayh may face a formidable Republican in John Hostettler, who successfully used grassroots campaigning to hold a congressional seat until being tossed out four years ago during the Democratic sweep.

Although Bayh is likely to keep office, his possible struggles offer a lesson for Republicans and Democrats who play all sides of the fence way too often.

AS SON OF BIRCH BAYH, who rose meteorically from serving in the Indiana House of Representatives (where he was speaker) to defeating two-term Republican incumbent Homer Capehart for the U.S. Senate in 1962 at age 34, Evan was groomed for the political limelight. He proceeded on his own path to political stardom, winning two successive terms as Indiana governor before recapturing his father's seat in 1998 after 18 years in Republican hands.

Ever mindful of how his father's perceived liberalism contributed to his defeat at the hands of future Vice President Dan Quayle in 1980, Bayh fils proceeded on a course of fiscal conservatism and socially-moderate positions that would even win him praise from then-Cato Institute scholar Stephen Moore for being a "genuinely fiscally conservative Democrat." His penchant for cutting taxes and caution on social issues also helped the state's Democratic Party, which managed to win control of the state's lower house, hold nearly all statewide offices and, by 1999, end Indianapolis's status of being one of the few big cities in Republican hands.

Bayh continued to maintain his conservative image, even as he tended to vote alongside his party more than 72 percent of the time. For this, he has reaped such benefits as being a perennial vice presidential aspirant; he was considered a possible contender for the Democratic presidential nomination three years ago, before Barack Obama's successful campaign. His well-practiced calls for "practical solutions," along with his formation of a "moderate Democrat working group," also gives the party a counterweight to more-demonstrably left-leaning (and often, more-polarizing) colleagues.

This, in turn, makes Bayh a target of ridicule among the Democratic Party's left-leaning activist wing, which blames him for wishy-washiness and for watering down "cap-and-trade" and other legislation it holds dear. Declared notoriously snide blogger Matthew Yglesias earlier this year after Bayh raised objections to one of President Obama's rounds of proposed tax increases: "If you're dramatically richer than most Indianans and sociopathically unconcerned with the well-being of your fellow citizens, then Evan Bayh is fighting for you."

BUT BAYH-BASHING IS NO longer just the favored sport of the progressive movement. Growing choruses of more-conservative Hoosiers voters are also none too pleased with him. Particularly irksome is Bayh's support for the healthcare reform plan, which has proven to be more of an arrangement among the Obama administration, health insurance firms, and the pharmaceutical industry to expand federal power and increase subsidies to the industry at taxpayer expense. The senator's heavy dependence on fundraising (and family income) from pharmaceutical giants such as Eli Lilly -- which calls Indianapolis its hometown -- has cast his support in a harsher light.

Other Hoosiers are waking up to Bayh's less-than-conservative voting record -- which includes a 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America -- and his tendency for casting fingers to the air. As noted by the American Prospect's Ezra Klein, Bayh can go from a "flash of liberalism" to conservatism in just one year. Obama's current unpopularity, both nationally and in Indiana, brings another layer of inconvenience for Bayh's campaign team.

Bayh can't count on state Democratic leaders to sustain his campaign. Since 2004, the party has lost two consecutive gubernatorial races to Republicans; Bayh's protégé, Bart Peterson, was ousted as Indianapolis mayor two years ago, leaving control of city government back in (admittedly incompetent) Republican hands. Bayh and other Democrat leaders in the state couldn't even get primary voters to back their favored candidate for the gubernatorial nomination during last year's primary; Hoosier Democrats also rejected Bayh's choice for the presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, and backed Obama instead.

Given the popularity of the state's current governor, Mitch Daniels, who lives up to his reputation for taking sharp, polarizing stances on key issues, Bayh's cautious approach could actually backfire on him this time around. Instead, it may favor Hostettler, who demonstrated a willingness to part with Republican leaders and former president George W. Bush on such matters as the Iraq War. Given Bayh's past support for the nation's costliest misadventure, Hostettler may even succeed in convincing a few Hoosier Democrats to stay home.

Bayh may end up wishing he were ideologically consistent rather than a milquetoast actor.

topics:
U.S. Senate Races 2010, Evan Bayh, John Hostettler

About the Author

RiShawn Biddle the editor of Dropout Nation , is co-author of A Byte at the Apple: Rethinking Education Data for the Post-NCLB Era. He can be followed at Twitter.com/dropoutnation.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (57) | Leave a comment

The Bishop| 12.17.09 @ 8:34AM

Senator Milquetoast is very definitely the proper sobriquet for this heir of moderate liberalism. As a Hoosier it would be a delight to see this senate seat return to the likes of a Dan Coats. Although, one must admit, Evvie's wife is a hottie (but I digress).

Indiana Alex| 12.17.09 @ 8:36AM

I can't wait to vote against him and I don't really care who it's for.

Derek| 12.18.09 @ 11:08AM

Vote for Marlin Stutzman! It's a shame that this article doesnt even mention him when he's been the one leading the charge against Bayh. Hostettler is a good conservative, but he's got to play catch-up now. Marlin's in a good position.

www.GoMarlin.com

AWB| 12.17.09 @ 9:20AM

Someone needs to clue in Yglesias that we're not "Indianan's", we're Hoosiers.

james| 12.18.09 @ 11:05AM

it's a stupid pot-shot that Mr. Biddle states the Indianapolis Mayor is "admittedly incompetent". Voters are angry and Dems don't have a reason to turn out, so Bayh is going to have quite a challenge defending himself, especially someone who's been campaigning for months already like Marlin Stutzman (Bayh's money will only go so far). Maybe Mr. Biddle should note that the current Indianapolis Mayor (R) was underestimated and outmatched in fund raising and spending when he ran against an incumbent, yet the grassroots saw how the incumbent was dysfunctional. The Dem incumbent was pushing for a city that charges more and functions less. Sound familiar?

Doctor Right| 12.17.09 @ 10:10AM

Birch Bayh, Sr., was a reliable, liberal hack for his entire career.

L'il Birchie Jr. is no different.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Like father like son.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Sorry for all the cliches, but Evan Bayh's entire tenure in the Senate is nothing but a cliche'...And a bad one at that.

Bye-Bye, Birchie!

Mark| 12.18.09 @ 1:47PM

I agree completely. As a former Hoosier, Evan Byah has won election after election on name reconition only. He did nothing for the state as governor (except state we had a $5 billion surplus, left office to find that there was never no surplus at all), and continues to only be a conservative or modrate only the year before the up comming election. It wasn't too long ago, I remember Senator Byah reciting everything the late Senator Kennedy said to further his career. He has never done anything for Indiana or for that matter lived in Indiana except while he was governor, and I will celebrate the day he is shown the door.

Paul | 2.17.10 @ 1:36PM

Birch Evans Bayh, Sr., a man of unimpeachable character, was a man of integrity in his basketball playing career at Indiana State as well as his basketball and baseball coaching career; his athletic directorship at Indiana State; his outstanding record in education in both Terre Haute and Washington, D.C.

He officiated the Indiana State Basketball Championship Game five times: 1927 (John Wooden and Martinsville), 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934. He officiated five other years on the final Saturday. At that time, he left for Washington to take over the Director of Physical Education for the public schools of Washington, D.C.

Birch Bayh, Sr. was a giant among men. Never confuse him with his son and grandson. No comparison.

Jennifer| 11.25.10 @ 4:22AM

Quite remarking his history in Indiana and the complete difference between him, his son and grandson.
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Ned| 12.17.09 @ 10:23AM

"Given Bayh's past support for the nation's costliest misadventure, Hostettler may even succeed in convincing a few Hoosier Democrats to stay home."

I think what we have accomplished in Iraq will be determined to be more than "the nation's costliest misadventure."

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DW| 12.17.09 @ 4:01PM

If he hadn't already done so, Evan showed his true colors by voting against both Roberts and Alito. For years we have been hoping for a GOP candidate strong enough to win this seat, only to be disappointed each time. Hostettler seems like the best chance yet.

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.17.09 @ 4:07PM

Screw 'em
The guy can't even sell furniture.
Screw Indiana voters who vote for this numbskull!

ch| 12.17.09 @ 4:14PM

Hillary Clinton WON the state of Indiana.

But since when does the American Spectator care about facts?

The Bishop| 12.17.09 @ 5:28PM

Hey, ch, Hillary won because of Rush Limbaugh's master plan to keep the primaries from sliding easily into Obamao's column. I know because I'm one conservative who voted for her in the primary (and there were many more). Don't give lil Birchie undue credit.

Ken Old Texican| 12.17.09 @ 4:24PM

CH...
Die in ignorance!

Byron| 12.17.09 @ 4:55PM

The Senator has to know that backing this idiotic Heathcare framework bill is going to do him in with the voters.
I have a plan to unseat Obama as well. I just wish I was old enough to run for President. The campaign against Obama will just be his original campaign that he ran. No earmarks and open door meetings televised on CSPAN. He promised it but didn't do it. People will vote for a conservative who runs on the same premise...I think.

alm| 12.18.09 @ 1:47AM

Please support Marlin Stutzman for U.S. Senate...http://www.gomarlin.com/

Bye-Bye Bayh| 12.18.09 @ 6:08AM

We will vote him out in 2010!

Mark| 12.19.09 @ 9:25AM

As an Indianapolis resident, I have observed Mayor Greg Ballard to be the very model of competence when compared to the clueless Bart Peterson who presided over a level of corruption heretofore unseen in this city.

Emo| 12.19.09 @ 11:06AM

Prediction: GOP does much much worse in 2010 than is being predicted today. +20 in the House and only +1 in the Senate at best

NH: GOP wins
CT: Dodd wins
PA: Spector wins
NY: Guliani wins if he runs GOP pick up
DE: Dem wins
NC: Dem wins, Dem pick up
FL: GOP wins
KY GOP wins
OH: GOP wins but close
IN: Dem wins
IL: Dem wins
MO: Dem wins Dem pick up
AR: Lincoln wins
LA: GOP wins
CO: GOP wins, GOP pick up
NV: Reid wins

No net change here. MO could go GOP so that would be GOP +1. No Dem incumbent will lose while 1 GOP will lose...Burr. Burr's poll numbers look like Dole's in 2008, leading but with only 40% support. Burr is leading only because the voters dont know the opponent Dems yet. Burr is in fact polling lower than Lincoln in AR (40% v 44%)

Paul| 12.19.09 @ 2:26PM

Elmo I'd love to take your money on this. Take some time to listen to the grassroots, maybe take in a tea party function or two. Baby Bayh is arrogant and a plastic banana... the anger out here amongst the citizenry of Indiana is palpable.

Evan has never had a real job for one day in his life and is completely out of touch with the people.... and Hoosiers know it. He completely avoids situations where he knows he will be pinned down, or questioned, and I think many more people than his naive staff comprehend have had enough. Trillions in new spending and 10% unemployment will not be whitewashed with some airy "I'm a fiscal conservative" emails and Hoosier values press releases.

There will be a bloodbath in 2010 and the tide has barely started to come in yet. Wait til this monstrosity called HRC begins to be rolled out and millions of unemployed people are told "buy health care or go to jail".... Yeah that'll make for some fun campaign ads.

Don't confuse the opposition Republican ineptness as any sort of a positive for Democrats.... Charlie Cooks smells the blood in the water. Democrats have flipped the voters off many more times than just one time too many this time around..... with virtually zero chance of repairing the damage.

Speedypete| 12.19.09 @ 10:09PM

We have a mixed marriage, Hoosier Democrat and Republican--now more Independent. My wife has always voted for Senator Bayh and I have voted for him once as Senator and once as Governor. Both were votes for deeds. My wife and I are not voting for him this next time and if my wife doesn't believe in him anymore, no amount of cash will change her mind.

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Stephen Morgan| 1.12.10 @ 1:23PM

It would be nice if Mitch Daniels would unseat Bayh.

Mitch would be a shoe in....

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On the ground, the state Democratic machine he built into a powerhouse is in tatters.
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Bayh is likely to keep office, his possible struggles offer a lesson for Republicans and Democrats who play all sides of the fence way too often.

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mikex231| 2.27.10 @ 6:54PM

Byah didn’t even do much as the governor! He even tried to make us believe that there was a $5 billion surplus when we all soon found out that was nothing but BS. He can’t even speak for himself, instead he likes to take Senator Kennedy’s words and claim them as his own. *sigh* cheap textbooks

ron| 2.28.10 @ 4:54AM

disagree

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I believe Bayh will remain in office, his possible struggles offer a lesson for Republicans and Democrats who often times try and cover so many sides the spread themselves far too thin.

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