Bayh Says He Will Not Run for President in 2008

AP and New York Times ^ | 16 December 2006 | staff

[shrinkermd]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana announced on Saturday he will not seek the presidency in 2008, saying he believes the odds of a successful run were too great to overcome.

''At the end of the day, I concluded that due to circumstances beyond our control the odds were longer than I felt I could responsibly pursue,'' Bayh said in a statement. ''This path -- and these long odds -- would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation.''

The announcement comes just two weeks after Bayh, in an appearance on a Sunday talk show, said he would take a first step toward a presidential campaign by forming an exploratory committee. His decision to step aside narrows a crowded field of possible candidates that, for now, is dominated by Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.

Just last weekend, Bayh traveled to New Hampshire, the early presidential primary state, but his appearance drew little notice as Obama delivered two speeches to sold-out crowds and attracted hordes of reporters. Bayh joins former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner as well-known Democrats who already have decide against a 2008 run.

''The odds were always going to be very long for a relatively unknown candidate like myself, a little bit like David and Goliath,'' Bayh said in the statement. He added that beyond the question of ''whether there were too many Goliaths or whether I'm just not the right David,'' his chances were slim.

Bayh, 50, left open the possibility of a run at some point, saying, ''There may be no campaign in the near future..."

Bayh is a Democrat with a record of political success

[shrinkermd]

In 2004 Al Gore went to China as part of his presidential campaign. Shortly thereafter, in spite of all previous efforts, he withdrew. Ditto for Mark Waner this time; he was in the running and after indicating interest he dropped out.

I sometimes wonder if these people make it past the FBI check. Just a thought and a suspicion not an accusation.

[antonico]

Hillary's shadow government takes down another potenetial threat.

Tom Delay is on the record saying she WILL be the next US President. Oy.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Does anyone other than Hitleryn care?

[Mo1]

FYI Ping

[Steve0113]

ping

[prov1813man]

Makes one wonder about Kucinich, Sharpton, etc.

[Elle Bee]

the Hildabeast's shadow government is selling "the twins aren't his and he plays for the other team"

right or wrong she's going to dirty up anyone who is in her way

.

[cloud8]

> Hillary's shadow government takes down another potenetial threat. Who will be the next to leave? At the end of the day, who will be left standing? (Haha I will never vote for anyone who says, At the end of the day :)

[jbwbubba]

Hillary, said she would beat me like her husband if I ran.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Tom Delay is on the record saying she WILL be the next US President. Oy.

Actually, Tom Delay's point is Mrs. Clinton will be the next president IF we do not organize against her candidacy, now.

[Migraine]

Well, since Bayh has taken his hat out of the ring it was never in anyway, I guess I should follow suit. Migraine will NOT be running for president in '08, either.

[mkjessup]

Bayh: "This path -- and these long odds -- would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation."

Being absent from the Senate didn't stop John F'in Kerry last time (who had the worst attendance record of any Senator), nor will it stop Senator Mrs. Bill Clinton or Senator Barack Hussein Obama.

When it comes down to a choice between working to help the people of their States or the Nation, or hitting the road in pursuit of more personal political power, Ms. Clinton and Mr. Hussein-Obama will say C 'YA!!!!

[Alter Kaker]

The frontrunners are forcing out all the other candidates. It's coming down to Obama and Clinton with Edwards tailing behind. Things could change if Algore gets into it, but at least at this point the other candidates -- Vilsack, Clark, Kucinich, Biden, Dodd, Kerry, Richardson, etc. -- don't seem to have much of a chance. In another year, with different political winds, that might be different, but I don't see that happening. As it happens, I think Richardson and Vilsack are probably the rats' two strongest challengers, but I don't see either getting the nomination in '08.

[shrinkermd]

Yes, but I am trying to remember who became President by virtue of being a US Senator. The only one I can think of was LBJ, but he was VP first and became the candidate by the assassination of JFK.

Also, the point that Bayh made at not running because he would be absent from Senate is an indirect criticism of Kerry, Obama and H Clinton.

Being a Senator may give you celebrity status but it does not give you administrative experience and regional loyalty.

[Alter Kaker]

The last person elected to the Presidency from the Senate was of course John F. Kennedy. Being a Governor may make you a better general election candidate, but -- and this is especially true if you're from a small state like Iowa or New Mexico -- it also makes it hard to get the early money or name rec to win.

Hillary and Obama can each raise $50 million before the New Hampshire primary. Even someone as well connected as Bill Richardson can't come anywhere close to that.

[Alter Kaker]

By the way, I think both Hillary and Obama could raise more than $50 million -- that's a low ball number. The Dems have four early primaries/caucii -- Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Vilsack may have a slight edge in Iowa, but I don't give Richardson that much sway in Nevada.

[conservativefromGa]

This is some good news. Bayh could have been a threat if he had run a good campaign.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I heard that Kerry hosted a campaign luncheon some weeks back, attended by a gaggle of wealthy Democrat donors. When he took the podium and asked the crowd of he should run for president in 2008, the room fell silent.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

IMO, it will be Clinton-Obama in 2008.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Yes, but I am trying to remember who became President by virtue of being a US Senator.

JFK.