Free Republic

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....

Brad Ellsworth is a local representative from Indiana running for reelection. When you see his ad, he misleads you into thinking that he has never been to Washington when in fact, he's an incumbent. The YouTube video is the GOP's response to his misleading ad. I'm so glad to finally see the GOP take off the gloves and punch somebody in the nose.

Democrats in Indiana have tried to paint Dan Coats as a lobbyist interloper while Brad Ellsworth has campaigned on the hope that Indiana voters have a case of collective amnesia. The latest Rasmussen survey of likely voters shows that strategy succeeding as well as anyone could have predicted. Coats has a 21-point lead over Ellsworth, who barely makes out of the twenties: Indiana still has the look of a likely Republican Senate pickup, with former Senator Dan Coats remaining comfortably ahead of his Democratic opponent Brad EllsworthThe latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state finds Coats...

Can Dan Coats win?? I know he's up in the polls, but he hasn't lived in Indiana for years, and even made jokes about it. Also, the Dems in Indy have been hammering Coats on his lobbying activities, which could definitely strike a chord in the anti-Washington, anti-elites environment. Ellsworth is a partisan Democrat who voted for Obamacare, but he is pro-gun and pro-life. Any Indy freepers care to disagree with me?

Two of the three top Republican hopefuls for the U.S. Senate in Indiana continue to hold double-digit leads over Democratic Congressman Brad Ellsworth. Ellsworth supported President Obama’s health care plan in a state where opposition to the legislation is higher than it is nationally. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds former Congressman John Hostettler with a 50% to 32% lead over Ellsworth, a current House member who voted with most other Democrats on Sunday to pass the health care plan. The survey was taken last Wednesday and Thursday nights. Fifteen percent (15%) remain...

Another big get for Dems: Rep Brad Ellsworth, a former Yes vote who shared the concerns of the Stupak dozen and was intensely wooed by both sides, will vote Yes on the Senate bill, his spokesman confirms to me. “He’s a Yes,” Jonathan Kott, communications director for Ellsworth, just said by phone. “He will vote in favor of health care reform.” A press release detailing his rationale is forthcoming from his office.

It has only been a week since the Crystal Ball published our most recent comprehensive view of House races across the country, but political news abhors a vacuum and there already many new developments to report. All nine ratings changes this week benefit Republicans, further evidence of the many advantages they face across the country at this time. The Crystal Ball moves five Democratic seats from a “safe” rating onto our list of competitive races: KY-6 (Ben Chandler), MA-10 (Bill Delahunt), OH-13 (Betty Sutton), SC-5 (John Spratt), and VA-9 (Rick Boucher). In addition, two already competitive races for Democrats look...

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said today he's "confident" Democrats will hold on to Sen. Evan Bayh's (D-Ind.) seat in 2010. Reid made the comments in a statement on Bayh's retirement: "Evan Bayh has been a strong voice for Indiana for many years and I thank him for his service. I respect his decision to step aside and look forward to continuing working with him to create jobs, strengthen the economy and keep our country safe throughout the remainder of his term. I am also confident that the efforts of Senator Bayh along with those of the DSCC will...

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...

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's remarks about "bitter" small-town Pennsylvanians could make it more difficult for vulnerable House Democrats, many of whom remain uncommitted as superdelegates to the Democratic convention, to back Obama's campaign. A good portion of House members who have not declared their support are moderates and conservatives who represent swing districts dominated by small towns. Republicans, in particular, sought to use the remarks to put two politically-vulnerable Democratic House members on the hot seat. The targets of the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee were a pair of freshman Pennsylvania Democrats - Jason Altmire, who represents small towns outside...