Bayh's fundraising arm is 'fueled up' for potential presidential race

Indy | 8/2/05 | Maureen Groppe

[NYC Republican]

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is among the most prolific money raisers in the early jockeying among potential 2008 presidential candidates.

Bayh raised $1.17 million this year through a fundraising arm that will help him raise his profile and build a campaign team, according to recent disclosure reports. Some of that money paid for a public speaking consultant whose former clients include Princess Diana.

But even though Bayh collected more through his political action committee (PAC) than New York Sen. Hillary Clinton did through hers, Clinton showed why she is considered the most formidable fundraiser of the potential Democratic candidates, raising $10 million in six months for her 2006 re-election campaign.

[The Old Hoosier]

1) Bayh cannot defeat Hillary in a primary.

2) A Bayh candidacy could well result in a strong 3rd party showing on the Left.

[MattinNJ]

I've been saying all along that he's our worst nightmare. Hillary has no shot in a general election. Bayh would carry Indiana (11 EV's) and Richardson would carry New Mexico (5 EV's). Let's assume that they carry all the Kerry States. The GOP EV total would then be reduced from 286 to 271 (need 270 to win). I can easily see another Southwestern state like Arizona or Nevada being picked off because of Richardson to give the dems the win.

I think Allen will be our candidate (I know he's a Senator know but he was a popular Governor of Virginia). To put us back over the top we need someone from a Kerry state as the V.P nominee like Pawlenty from Minnesota to flip it back over. Hence, my tagline.

[DarthVader]

My cousin lives in NM and she say Richardson is very unpopular there. He may have trouble getting relected govenor much less becoming POTUS.

[Gipper08]

Bayh would crush Allen and or Pawlenty.

[NYC Republican]

I agree with that assessment.

[Gipper08]

Exactly. Everybody thought Birch was untouchable....until he got beat!!!!!!!!

[NYC Republican]

By Quayle, right?

[Gipper08]

"To put us back over the top we need someone from a Kerry state as the V.P nominee like Pawlenty from Minnesota to flip it back over. Hence, my tagline."

Why is everyone always saying we need to pick up a Blue state? Hold the States we have.Pawlenty does not have the support of conservatives in his own state and Allen is more popular with moderates than real conservatives.IF WE CAN'T beaT Bayh in Indiana then we do not deserve the White House.

[NYC Republican]

I think a team of Bayh/Breaux would be almost unbeatable, by anyone in the GOP.

[Gipper08]

That's right. He won by his message-TRUE conservatism(and Reagan's coattails)This is something that Allen,Frist,,and Pawlenty have not figured out and or do not believe in.None of them preach the true conservative message on ANY issue.If America has to choose between slightly right of center DEmocrat(in rhetoric) who is polished, and aslightly right of center Republican who is bumbling and unpolished then Bayh will win.

[Gipper08]

You have to look in the House- we need another Reagan who can get EVERYONE in the Reagan wing (social,2nd,fiscal,and immigration) excited and ready to work. We need a true conservative revival(in the Reagan mold) and the largest grassroots effort the world has ever seen.

[IamConservative]

Evan's political career got a big boost from the name recognition his father - Birch - had in the state. He is an out of nowhere candidate like Clinton. He should be watched closely.

[NYC Republican]

Let me guess... Mike Pence? LOL. He seems solid, though he may look too old compared to Bayh, especially in another 3 years.

[cicero's_son]

If Bayh gets the nomination, he wins. Period. We don't have anyone who could possibly beat him.

Fortunately, the moonbats in the Democrat primaries will probably reject him in favor of a more suitable candidate, such as Dean or Kucinich.

[NYC Republican]

I disagree- I still think this snake will get the nomination.

[mysterio]

Like I've said for the past year or two, if he gets the nomination, he wins.

[Miss Marple]

You know, Bayh is NOT a superman! I swear, I think you folks are scaring yourselves!

What good does it do to throw in the towel, now? The election is over 2 1/2 years from now. By then all sorts of things can happen, people can emerge that we haven't thought about on the Republican side, and Bayh could get caught in a scandal or something. For goodness sakes, let's try to be positive! At this time in the 2000 cycle, few had considered George Bush and none of us knew what a good campaigner he was.

Think positive!