Posted on 08/02/2005 6:51:28 AM PDT by 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.
Is anyone else worried about this guy? He doesn't have the negative baggage that Hilary has... Can't be labeled a lib, and I believe he has solid military experience, and has been to the right of most libs. Would love to know what his weaknesses are.
I'm from Indiana and I'm worried about him. He's as slick as Clinton and without the baggage as you say. He's just another liberal that sides with the extremists in the Senate. I agree with you. He has an excellence chance of being the next President. He would slay Hillary.
My BIGGEST fear is that we use all of our ammo attacking Hilary, and this guy walks away with the nomination. I know he's a gun-grabber, but beyond that, what else can we use to keep him from becoming President? I'm at a loss, perhaps Indiana folks like yourself can shed some light on his vulnerabilities.
He actually wasn't as the Governor of Indiana. When he left for the Senate the state of Indiana had a $3 billion surplus. When he got to the Senate, he voted against the impeachment of Clinton. He voted against Rice & Gonzalez. If you heard his last speech leading the DLC, he sounded like Howard Dean. All liberal rhetoric.
"Mark my words, this guy will be the next President"
I'm marking them and he won't be. The southern states and midwesterners outside of Indiana know what a flip-flopping opportunist he is. He tries to triangulate too much with the left and is an unaccepatble candidate to Christian voters.
Oops, left out a word.
I meant to say that he actually wasn't "bad" as the Governor of Indiana.
You bring up a good point, but I'm sure there will be libs that split the far-left vote as well.
The lottery director was fired in a big-time sex scandal. I really remember that one, because it involved an employee who was a mistress, and using the state police to threaten her.
I agree that Bayh is dangerous. We need to start asking him who he would have in his cabinet, about his ties to unions, etc. He talks lllike a moderate, but if you check his voting record it is more like Daschle's.
However, I do remember that I was very afraid that the pretty-boy lawyer would take the democrat primary in 2004. He didn't even come close, and turned out not to be particularly scintillating as a vice presidential candidate.
Hopefully we'll run a real conservative who can expose Bayh for the fraud he is. Bayh may talk like Limbaugh but he votes like Ted Kennedy.
| Party | 2004 | 2003 | LifeTime | YOS | |
| Evan Bayh | D | 20 | 30 | 22 | 6 |
|
Lifetime ACU rating for Bayh: 22. He could carry Indiana as a Democrat--a rarity for a Presidential contender. |
Bayh's weaknesses are: He votes along the dim party line, regardless of what we Hoosier's decide we want. I'm one Hoosier who will not vote for him.
Bayh will not be to the right of either of those, but the difference will be insignificant.
I'm from Indianapolis. Bayh was very popular here--mostly for being young and cute. I can't think of any accomplishments he had. When he left office and his Lt. Gov won the job, the state went down quickly---one of the worst in education, job growth, healthy-related issues, etc. Lots of government spending without results. He is supported by some big names with deep pockets including the ultra-liberal Simon family (they own practically every shopping mall in the country). Bren Simon is good buddies with Bill Clinton. Also, Jeff Smulyan who owns radio stations and magazines nationwide is a big supporter.
I can't think of anything he's done as Senator. I don't believe he has any military experience.
I'm from Indiana and I'm also scared to death that he will fool more than enough people to win. He is a lib in every way except one...he supported the war and says all the right things about that.
Indiana is a solid conservative state, yet he got enough crossover votes to win, with large margins, two terms as Governor.
Even some of my staunch conservative (but uninformed) friends have said they could be persuaded to vote for him, proving that his lies while at home are effective. Of course, he then goes to D.C. and votes with his buddy Teddy.
I hope those of you predicting a divided dem vote are correct and he does not even make it out of the primaries.
Thanks for the info
That's EXACTLY what I'm concerned about. He can fool enough people to actually make a difference.
Bayh has never had a strong opponent in any race, ever.
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