Recommend this if you support the letting DEMOCRATS of INDIANA choose Bayh replacement

[wndycty]

LOL I fear this will get more unrecommends than recommends but as we hear the news of Evan Bayh retiring and everyone will have an opinion on this, I have a suggestion, lets follow the lead of DEMOCRATS in INDIANA.

Bayh was too right of center for my tastes, but after having volunteered for Obama in Indiana in 2008 I can see why he is/was.

I see a lot of folks talking about nominating/electing a "real Democrat" but the reality the type of "real Democrat" who can win a state like Indiana, might be a little different what many here may define as a "real Democrat."

[old mark]

1. Rec.

[wndycty]

3. Thanks but the balance of "recommends" "unrecommends" is not going to my way

:kick:

[old mark]

27. See? I was RIGHT!!!!!!

:rofl:

mark

[prolesunited]

2. Agreed

Indiana isn't going to elect a progressive or even what is considered a "real Dem."

Hell, the KKK was recently recruiting again in Northwest Indiana.

[sharesunited]

4. They need strong opposition research on Pence and clever lampooing of that turkey.

On edit: I have been informed that Pence has ruled out a Senate race.

[napi21]

5. What do you know about Ellsworth & Hill who have been

mentioned as possile candidates for Bayh's seat?

[hayu_lol]

9. Ummm...actually, the job of choosing a replacement for Bayh...

is solely up to Indianans and no one else.

They apparently all drink kool aid there.

[indy legend]

15. Not all of us drink kool aid

the sane people are just out numbered 10 to 1 by the right wing fools.

[DefenseLawyer]

10. Both are fromt he southern part of the state

Ellsworth is a former sheriff. Both are Blue Dogs but Ellsworth is farther to the right on most issues. Hill is in Lee Hamilton's old district and is more of a mainstream Dem on most issues but not as good a campaigner as Ellsworth probably. Neither is going to light a room on fire.

[wndycty]

11. I have heard good things about Ellsworth, don't know much about Hill

:kick:

[Voltaire]

18. What little I know

Ellsworth is probably the more attractive candidate for this state, he comes from a, let's say, less than liberal area in the southern part of the state. Hill is more experienced, but Ellsworth is a former sheriff, photogenic, conservative kind of guy, he could win the substantial rural vote. It remains to be seen if the state Democratic party can get him across in so short a time, I am not really impressed with that organization whatsover.

[Bobbie Jo]

24. Ellsworth is a very decent guy.

I know him personally, and worked with him when he was sheriff in this county. He has a heart of gold, and is totally down to earth. They may call him a blue dog, but take him out of the confines of the 8th district, and you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Edited to add:




:P

[Snotcicles]

6. Draft, John Mellencamp. nt

[DefenseLawyer]

13. Jimmy Irsay is an interesting guy.

As long as we are looking at unconventional candidates.

[Codeine]

7. Recced. nt

[Warpy]

8. If we're lucky, we'll get a Democrat like his dad.

Birch Bayh was a moderately conservative Democrat who cared more about country than dogma. Evan, unfortunately, is wedded to dogma.

I know Indiana is unlikely to elect a leftist. One who managed to lie his way into office would only be there for one term. However, they've done better than Evan Bayh in the past and I think they can do better now.

And yes, I've not only been to Indiana, I've lived there.

[zipplewrath]

Don't forget Gary

Between Gary, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis, not to mention certain strongholds like Columbus, you might find enough out of work union folks, and just general lower economic level folks looking to hitch their ride to a populist candidate. Progressives can be real popular when working their populist issues.

[salguine]

12. Shouldn't the VOTERS of Indiana—ALL OF THEM—make that decision?

[wndycty]

14. Well when it comes to select a NOMINEE its up to the Democrats. . .

. . .would you like me to change the OP?

[DefenseLawyer]

16. Actually we have open primaries

So it's up to whoever shows up.

[wndycty]

17. Thanks for clarification

:kick:

[prolesunited]

21. and just a few days

to collect signatures from throughout the state to get anyone on the ballot.

[napi21]

20. Sure, but how do those Dems find out about who is intereted

in the job? I don't dispute that the voters should make the choice, but in any State, most voters just aren't aware of who the rising stars are...or could be! I know I sure don't in my State!

[mopinko]

19. i think a brian schweitzer type populist would do well.

any good farmer/legislators out there?

but yeah, indiana dems would know who. i would also like to recommend that we be prepared to money bomb the eventual candidate. we cannot afford to lose that seat.

[UTUSN]

22. K&R #15, but what alternative *is* there but to let the state Dems do their thing?!1 n/t

[Iggo]

23. Unrec'd for consistency.

"Rec this thread if.." threads are the lamest ones on this site.

That said, I do think the dems of Indiana should elect their own representatives.

[mmonk]

25. I'm not of the opinion that when people support Democrats, they are looking

to support Republican policies and "solutions". Otherwise, what's the difference?

[lsewpershad]

26. Totally agree

America does not need another republi-con

[KharmaTrain]

28. A Party That's Lost Focus...

Seems the Democrats picked up the same disease the rushpublicans have had since Goldwater...running for the office and then not having a plan or clue what to do next. Seems the only goal was to win seats, but then when it came time to make their majority count, the Democrats went into spasms fearing that doing something would get them in trouble...doing nothing worked for the GOOP and many "Conservo-Dems" seem to have taken the same attitude. Bayh symbolized a wing of the party that got pressed between the "conventional wisdom" inside the beltway and the expectations of the party faithful outside. And, yes, he copped out...bugged out...got out before he had to face voters who have rejected the "conventional wisdom" and see him along with many other politicians as the cause, not the solution for problems.

I have no problems with the party determining who should be the Senate nominee...in many ways the system is already rigged in their favor, so save the expense of a campaign...and put those resources into finding a candidate who will hold the seat in November. While I'd love for someone like a John Mellencamp to run, I'll leave it to those who live there to decide who the best candidate can be and we go from there.

Bayh's departure is shocking the "insiders" as they have always liked Evan's "aw shucks" style, but as several have pointed out, his accomplishments are thin and his stance on party principals even thinner. He was tolerated more than supported and now that support is evaporating under closer scrutiny from both sides. With both parties polarizing, being a "centrist" is risky. Will the DNC realize this?

[marshall]

29. We need a third party for people like Bayh

For moderates, there's not that much difference between DINOs and RINOs. Why not just let them start their own party?