I would think that vote would not help him in the least with regard to any aspirations he has in '08.
Bayh wants to project the "moderate" Hoosier to the electorate, and as such, doesn't go in for flamethrowing like some of his more "visible" colleagues.
He thinks that this image will win in 2008 and seeing PIAPS run towards the center only proves that Bayh is on to something.
It'll be fun watching the hopefuls from the left try and out Pubbie the real Pubbies.
I would think that vote would not help him in the least with regard to any aspirations he has in '08.
Bayh sits on the right side of the DIM party. He actually sells as a fiscal conservative/social moderate in the state of Indiana. While this makes him wildly popular in Hoosierland (even by many Republicans), it does not sell with the activist lefties of the DIM party. These are the folks who choose the DIM nominee for POTUS. A vote against Condi does not hurt him (cause not many people pay ttention) in Indiana, but his opposition helps with the anti-war leftist crowd. This is Bayh's first real movement to the left and may signal a presidential bid. And, if Bayh falls short, Hillary would be wise to put him on the ticket. This would help her in the Midwest. If Indiana had gone DIM in '04, we would be talking about President Kerry today!