[drellberg]

Bayh was NOT retiring because of bad polls. I just don’t believe it. He was ahead of his two potential rivals by all accounts (Hotline & Rasmussen) and though not far ahead, he seemed to be in as good a shape as any Senate Dem, especially relative to the center-right tendencies of the state. If the Dems could point to any Dem seat that is RELATIVELY in their corner, this would be on most short lists.

Him quitting, and right before the filing deadline, is not the act of desparation that other posters here are depicting.

And even if he wants to quit without being a Brutus ... Even if he just wants to retire and walk away ... He is headed for that legacy. And not only because he has abandoned his party. Any move he makes toward the center, any displeasure he voices, any signs of discontent or lack of cohesion will bring on the wrath of the leftists.

He really has only this choice ... play the Brutus role or play the party elder who leads a centrist coalition.

I think and I predict that he is setting himself up as a centrist opponent to the Dems’ far-left agenda, and that he will soon visibly break ranks. I also predict that he will not be alone, since otherwise he ends up just being a Brutus.

I foresee a “centrist” coalition in the next few weeks. Mark may words, fellow Freepers. The reality here is that this is a splitting of the Democratic Party.

[hoosiermama]

I foresee a “centrist” coalition in the next few weeks. Mark may words, fellow Freepers. The reality here is that this is a splitting of the Democratic Party.

You Betcha!

[rintense]

I foresee a “centrist” coalition in the next few weeks. Mark may words, fellow Freepers. The reality here is that this is a splitting of the Democratic Party.

And guess who will swoop in and claim the centrist Dem coalition????

[Sybeck1]

How can he run against candiate Obama with his votes on Porkulus, Cap and Tax and Obamacare?

Brutus true. You too Brutus is what the Bamster can say when he wants to run against him. And if he screwed up the chances of a another Dem’s seate run, can’t Bayh expect fallout there also?

[Miss Marple]

I agree. This is the only thing, other than just wanting personally stick it to Obama, that makes any sense.

[CPT Clay]

Could this new “centrist” leader team up with someone like Judd Gregg and persuede them to cut the budget? I see:

Baye, Dorgan, Burris, Kaufman, with nothing to lose.
Perhaps they can persuede Webb,Tester,Carper, Baucus Conrad and Nelson to do the right thing.

Perhaps Gregg(who has grown a pair lately) could persuede McCain, Snowe, Collins, Grahmn, Lieberman, Lemeiux, Voinovich, Bunning, and Brownback their way.

Group with nothing to lose, who could do the right thing.