Free Republic

INDIANAPOLIS - Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Baron Hill says he's withdrawing from the race. His name will not appear on the November ballot. Hill's withdrawal opens the door for Evan Bayh, who - according to CNN - is expected to enter the race.

Former Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.) on Wednesday became the first Democrat to enter the race to replace retiring Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) in Indiana.

 In a statement posted on Medium, Hill played up his blue-collar roots and deep ties to the Hoosier State. He struck a populist tone in vowing to be a fighter for the Middle Class against the moneyed interests he said control Washington. 

“We can either put our heads in the sand, or we can fight to restore the American Dream, the middle class, and what’s great about Indiana,” Hill said. “I know we can do better,...

Before we get into the meat of this story from the National Journal, let me just note that this – “One of the most underappreciated stories in recent years is the deterioration of the Democratic bench under President Obama’s tenure in office” – has always been properly appreciated by me. I noticed this issue a while back. Sorry, but I felt the need to establish that. Moving on… …less attention has been paid to how the shrinking number of Democratic officeholders in the House and in statewide offices is affecting the party’s Senate races. It’s awfully unusual to see how...

ndiana Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh has decided against a run for governor in 2012, robbing Democrats of their top recruit in the Hoosier State. "After careful consideration, I have concluded that the appropriate decision is not to be a candidate for governor of Indiana in 2012," Bayh said in a statement released to the Fix. ""The principle reason for my decision is the welfare of my twin sons." Bayh's decision leaves the Democratic field wide open. Reps. Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill, both of whom lost races this fall, are likely to consider the Bayh-less contest. Others mentioned include Rep....

A call to action for all taxed enough Patriots At Wednesday night’s debate Todd Young vigorously asserted his support for the Federal Department of Education and has previously stated he supports increased funding. The debate on the Department of Education will be the starting point for the future debate on who is conservative and what the role of the Federal government is. As things begin to crystallize heading toward 2012, the battle within the GOP between the establishment moderates/liberals and the Conservative grassroots cannot be avoided. Quite simply everyone must pick a side and be sure where they stand on...

Independent watchdogs are calling Congressman Baron Hill’s recent spate of negative attacks on Republican challenger Todd Young false and misleading. In a new report, Factcheck.org, a non-partisan organization that monitors accuracy in U.S. politics, says Hill’s television ads, designed to scare seniors about the future of Social Security and Medicare, are “incorrect” and “without evidence.” This comes on the heels of Hill citing the Louisville Courier-Journal to claim that Young is not a deputy prosecutor. Contrary to Hill’s claim, the paper, in fact, clarified that “Young is a sworn deputy in the Orange County prosecutor’s office.” Baron Hill has been...

At a quick glance, Young, the Republican suitor for the seat currently held by Democrat Baron Hill, appears to have all the qualities of a promising politician. He is a 38-year-old father of four and a Marine-turned deputy prosecutor with television-ready good looks and natural charisma. But Young is more about ideas than image. During a recent interview in his spare campaign office near Bloomington's downtown, he discussed policy and philosophy with a wonkish zeal. This should come as no surprise since his education includes degrees from the Naval Academy and the Universities of both Chicago and London. Because of...

Todd Young has been endorsed by the Independence Caucus for the 9th Indiana district. The following is their endorsement. Todd Young: State 9th Congressional District - Indiana Todd enlisted in the Navy directly from high school, and earned the opportunity to go the Naval Academy. Todd was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps, and honorably discharged as a captain in 2000. Website: http://toddyoungforcongress.com Seeking to unseat 5 term incumbent Baron Hill (D) Republican Primary Election: May 4th, 2010 Todd is a former Marine and Deputy Prosecutor for Orange County. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Todd...

FDL/SurveyUSA, 1/16-1/18, 600 likely voters, margin of sampling error ± 4.1% If there were an election for US House of Representatives today, and the only two candidates on the ballot were Democrat Baron Hill and Republican Mike Sodrel, who would you vote for?41% Baron Hill (D)49% Mike Sodrel (R)10% Undecided 2010 will be the fifth straight time Democratic Congressman Baron Hill has gone head-to-head with Republican former Congressman Mike Sodrel for the opportunity of representing Indiana’s 9th congressional district. The seat, in the southeast of the state, has changed hands twice. Hill beat Sodrel in 2002 during their first match-up....

FDL/SurveyUSA, 1/16-1/18, 600 likely voters, margin of sampling error ± 4.1% If there were an election for US House of Representatives today, and the only two candidates on the ballot were Democrat Baron Hill and Republican Mike Sodrel, who would you vote for? 41% Baron Hill (D) 49% Mike Sodrel (R) 10% Undecided 2010 will be the fifth straight time Democratic Congressman Baron Hill has gone head-to-head with Republican former Congressman Mike Sodrel for the opportunity of representing Indiana’s 9th congressional district. The seat, in the southeast of the state, has changed hands twice. Hill beat Sodrel in 2002 during...

Bloomington - White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel made a visit to Indiana Saturday night. While Emanuel was in town to attend fundraisers for Congressman Baron Hill, others were there to have their say. ...

U.S. Rep. Baron Hill says he's considering mounting a bid for Indiana governor in 2012, but first he'll run for another term in the House next year. Hill's comments came after weeks of rumors that he will retire from Congress next year to run for Indiana governor two years later. The Indiana Democrat's response to those rumors came just days after the National Republican Congressional Committee sent out an e-mail about the Indiana Democrat's so-called "retirement jitters." Hill tells The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., he doesn't know how the rumors that he will retire from the House got started. But...

House Democrats passed the 2,032-page Pelosicare bill on a near party-line vote Saturday night 220-215 (roll call here). The only Republican voting in favor of the measure was New Orleans-based Joseph Cao who has long ago proven to be a tax and spend (and spend and spend) liberal. After a week of intense arm twisting, threats and promises from party leaders, more than half of the 52 so-called conservative Blue Dog Democrats voted in favor of the over $1.3 trillion measure. These are the 28 Blue Dogs voting in favor of Pelosicare (who apparently fear the wrath of House Speaker...

I suppose the “me too” thing isn’t entirely fair, but I’m at a loss at the moment for something else to put there. If I can think of something different, I’ll edit it into the title instead. In this, the fourth and final (unless another candidate enters the race) installment of the “Bloody 9th” series, I’m going to look at Travis Hankins of Columbus. Hankins hasn’t gotten as much attention on this blog (and others) for his campaign, but I’d be remiss if I said he hasn’t been busy. In fact, he’s probably been more active in many ways than...

A congressman from the Indiana 9th district named Baron Hill had a major league arrogant temper tantrum on camera last Saturday which has become a big hit in the blogosphere with over 100,000 viewers on YouTube. So one would figure that the local Bloomington newspaper, the Herald Times, would cover it, right? Wrong. Amazingly the most interesting thing that has happened in Bloomington in at least a year has been studiously avoided by that newspaper. Here is the scene as described by the American Thinker:It is not just the career safe seat members of Congress and the Senate who are...

It is not just the career safe seat members of Congress and the Senate who are vulnerable to getting caught up in the arrogance and elitism of power. Relative back bencher Baron Hill from Indiana's 9th District might well have surged into the lead in the contest to see which member of congress had the most out of touch and arrogant attitude during the town hall meetings. You have to watch this video to believe it. It starts right after he has announced that there will be no videos allowed and goes into question and answer. The first question is...

Idiot Congressman.

Rep. says to journalist student "This is my town hall meeting, I set the rules."

Needless to say, afte this video floats around a bit, Baron Hill will not be running "his" congressional office much longer. Nor will he be able to congratulate himself about what a benefocent leader he is for allowing his constituents to attend "his" townhall meetings. Seriously, guys it's just too good to be true.

Baron Hill, a Blue Dog Democrat from Indiana, just announced he will be holding a Town Hall meeting on Healthcare at Indiana University Southeast on Monday 8/31. It will take place in the Hooiser Room at 6:30. Lets get a big FReeper contingent there to greet him.