Coats readies comeback bid (Bayh seat in play)

Politico ^ | 02/03/10 | Josh Kraushaar

[bilhosty]

Former Indiana GOP Sen. Dan Coats is launching a political comeback, announcing Wednesday that he’s preparing to challenge Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh in a race that’s poised to be one of the marquee Senate contests of 2010.

[bilhosty]

Another Donk seat is now in serious play.

[rstrahan]

Didn’t want the seat in 98, don’t know why people would want him now. Step aside for someone new.

[DM1]

i dont know much about this guy though the name sounds vaguely familiar is he a good campaigner? good conservative?

[Recon Dad]

When they stay until they die people bitch. When they serve from 1989 to 1999 they bitch. I tend to like a guy that does not look at the job as a life time affair.

If the guys not a conservative or has no chance of beating Bayh then don't support otherwise come up with a real reason and candidate to take on Bayh.

[gdzla]

One would hope that former Rep. Jim Traficant would make a comeback.
Or has he finally beamed up.

[Soul Seeker]

How about the House candidate from the ‘94 revolution that in at least one poll I saw a few weeks back only trailed Bayh by 3%? What is so wrong with uniting around him. In a Republican wave with Bayh’s votes around his neck why is a candidate only 3% down an objectionable choice? I realize he doesn’t have the same name recognition but doesn;t that work to his favor. He doesn’t have far to go to the close the gap.

[Soul Seeker]

Recent Rass Poll I mentioned found here.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/indiana/toplines/toplines_indiana_senate_january_21_24_2010

Bayh lead 44% to 41% against Hostettler with 12% undecided. Those 12% obviously know who Bayh is. It wouldn’t take much of a push to increase Hostettler’s recognition. Maybe those within the GOP don’t want to exercise much effort on this race but this guy is already within the margin of error.

[bilhosty]

If Hostettlers name recognition is pushed that may not help him. He was arrested for carrying a gun onto an airplane and has made many gaffes. He is considered a light weight and did not raise money very well. Although the seat has a history of close races given its current boundaries he should of won reelection in 2006. I don't’ think recognition will help him. It will probably hurt him. I would go with Coats.

[BubbaJunebug]

Coats of the bad comb over and hair spray crowd of Republicans

[Publius Valerius]

When they serve from 1989 to 1999 they bitch.

Coats is a unique case, I think, because when he retired, a lot people perceived his "retirement" as "too afraid to run against Evan Bayh."

Now that Bayh seems a little vulnerable, Coats trots back from Germany or wherever he's been for the past ten years, and says "ok, I'll take my seat back now. Thanks a lot, everybody!" Kind of lame for a guy that didn't have the guts to defend his seat from Evan Bayh in the first place.

[Naplm]

Coats is a solid conservative with good name recognition here in Indiana.

[Mr. Lucky]

Dan Coats is a Vietnam Veteran who served 20 years in the US congress. His service in Congress won’t hold much sway with Hoosier voters; his service to his country in Vietnam will.

[Pat4ever]

With all due respect to Vet Coats, Indiana wants some fresh ideas and some new faces. Hoosiers are excited about Richard Behney, founder (with his wife Laura) of Indy Defenders of Liberty and IndianaTEA Party, and the Tax Day TEA Party that drew over 10,000 to the Indiana State Capitol. He is also an independent small businessman (richardbehney.com). He is fiscally Conservative and Constitutionally-principled. Richard brings a breath of fresh air to stale old business-as-usual politics in Indiana. Plus he has hundreds of “boots on the ground” from the TEA Party.