Maybe Evan will launch himself into space. Next update: “Bayh at the moon!”

And he should be ashamed of himself for trashing his family’s good name. I think Birch Bayh would disown him if he were still alive. With Democratic Senators like Bayh, no wonder the Senate is dysfunctional.

Score one more victory for the opponents of Coakley-ism – 2010 has been great! These are the 5 biggest enemies of the people of America, I like that we’re crossing them off starting at the top:

#5. James Inhoffe
#4. Tom Coburn
#3. Dick Cheney
#2. Sarah Palin
#1. Evan Bayh

Indiana white trash war monger, bye

Remember when it was considered “centrist” to support the Iraq invasion? The alleged “Centrists” should stop stealing the “reasonable person” title. Bayh was an irresponsible radical. Glad to see him leave!

dragged up from previous post’s comments…

FYI/FWIW, some discussion in comments of this Indiana Blue blog post by several participants. Their general consensus is that D’Ippolito isn’t likely to get enough signatures in time. But they seem optimistic (without much explanation) that they might like whatever decision is made by state Dem. leadership, although they don’t like the non-democratic nature of this way of doing business.

topcat, when did Birch die? I just met him in 2006 – he was a great guy, I had to wonder where he went wrong with Evan.

As a Hoosier, I’m glad to see Bayh go, but I’m worried about who we’ll get in his place. The state party seems to be dominated by Conservadems so I’m afraid we’ll be stuck with a choice between a Republican or a Conservadem in the 2010 election.

Evan’s probably figured out that his wife’s not going to be able to keep on bringin’ home the pork through board memberships so he retires and takes her place.

Glad the slimy bastard is leaving but true to form he made sure to get in one last turn of the knife.

I think Birch is still alive.

It would be impossible to do worse than Bayh. If Cheney was an Indiana resident, he’d be an improvement over Bayh. At least he’s an honest conservative.

…and there was much rejoicing…

According to his wiki, he’s still alive. Would be 82.

All indications are that his father is alive and well. Wiki says he “currently resides in Easton, MD, is a fellow at Washington College in Chestertown, MD, and is a partner at the Washington, DC, law firm Venable LLP.”

He (Evan) turns green, like the money he accepts from big money donors like The Carlyle Group. This is from 2007:
Evan Bayh is sponsored heavily by the investment community. Goldman Sachs funded him to date to the tune of $165,000, followed by Morgan Stanley and The Carlyle Group neck and neck at $74,000. Blue Cross Blue Shield comes in at $73,000 with J.P. Morgan & Chase at $54,000.
I’m sure it’s a ton more by now.

Evan Bayh is the greatest politician since Dan Quayle.

All hail Indiana and lock up your women and children.

I’m suddenly reminded of Mike Royko’s classic columns on Hoosiers.

“Indiana white trash war monger, bye”

I assume you do not mean it that way, but the history of the term ‘white trash’ is racist and it still carries that implication if you think about it.

Looks to me like he is ready to jump through that revolving door and collect his big payday for all his “work”

Ah, yes, I’m just waiting for the “I can do more good for the people of Alaska Indiana out of office than in it.” Maybe since Obama didn’t tap him for VP he’s thinking his future lies with the teabaggers.

But more importantly, didn’t Bayh just screw the Dems on the seat, as well? No time for a primary candidate to file, so the Ind. Dem. committee chooses a November candidate? What could possibly go wrong?

How is that different than his current gig? He’s hardly even bothered pretending that he wasn’t on the corporate dole.

Bayh wants to quit for whatever reason and they want to make sure that a progressive or an uncontrollable person has no ability to vie for the seat. Don’t know why he isn’t running but this manipulation of the process STINKS. It has Rham’s tiny fingerprints all over it.

Or, to misquote Emptywheel, what we need are more, smarter, better, tougher Dems.

Here’s hoping!

Actually most of the comments seem to say that a primary would be good for the party and would hurt the Republican, only one of the 16 comments thinks it’s a good thing that the party will dictate Bayh’s replacement.

Yeah, I’m catching up on the posts downstairs…appears all roads do lead to Rahm.

Maybe they have Evan tapped for Billy Tauzin’s old spot. Then Rhambama can have a new BFF at big PhRMA.

…

How can we help a true progressive win the Democratic nomination? I’d gladly hold a phonebank here in Atlanta tonight to get signatures for a like-minded candidate — if only the Left were organized enough to distribute call lists for the most progressive feasible candidate.

It’s times like these that I wish I could join a third party. Now, I know that you’re thinking, “That’s a very dumb idea, Calamar — the reality of the flawed electoral system means that we’d split the Democratic vote, get slaughtered at the polls, and surrender the government to the corporatists.” True, but can’t we have a party constituting a unified front for progressives, social democrats, democratic socialists, and civil libertarians, while still voting for Democrats until we achieve electoral reform? This organization could still support Democratic candidates, but run progressives against incumbents in the primaries, engage in grassroots activism against DINOs, while maintaining independent and principled membership, messaging, fundraising, and canvassing. It would be the Left’s response to the DLC and reactionary parties forming on the right, without the disadvantages of potentially splitting the Democratic Party.

Granted, this is essentially what Jane’s doing now with FDL and ActBlue, but I’d like to see a more overarching, structured approach with bottom-up power structure (ie, the official membership elects a leadership council and votes on initiatives through instant run-off voting, etc.). All we’d need is a name, a registration procedure, and the support of several high-profile blogs like FDL, DailyKos, and so on. Any thoughts?

Aside from destroying Social Security Bayh seems to have achieved everything he and his paymasters ever wanted.

Maybe. Or, maybe he feels he will be able to exert more strength in another government position, like governor?

Glad he is gone.

could be. isn’t a gov. lower in rank than a senator? not that it matters.

I heard that governors may have some influence over drawing lines of districts. Maybe varies from state to state. That could matter.

just beautiful raygun-cheney-esqu Orwellian lies.
for 30+ years fascists have been winning, AND, they’ve been doing fabulously well with the aid and assistance of the fucking sell outs who call themselves democrats… plus a lot of political incompetents calling themselves democrats.

He’s gonna LOSE his place at the trough, so, plan A is to spend the next 8 months finding a new place at the trough!

since the pathetic sack of shit dems are incapable of calling out this sell out piece of shit, he’ll get away with his lies!!

rmm.

I have difficulty seeing a personal scandal being the reason for Bayh’s retirement. Anyone who has as shamelessly prostituted himself for corporate interests as Evan Bayh has wouldn’t be fazed even if he was caught in flagrante in a field with a sheep.

The one thing we can be sure of is that no philosophical or moral element was involved because Bayh has neither.

It’s out that Evan Bayh waited until the last minute to withdraw his candidcy (after announcing his intention to seek reelection) so that the party machine, rather Democratic voters, can choose his successor to the nomination. Tamyra D’Ippolito has been trying to gather the signatures to challenge Bayh in the primary, but it’s a daunting task…

Each form must include: “(a) signature of each petitioner, (b) name of each petitioner printed legibly, and (c) residence mailing address of each petitioner,” according to the candidate guide.

If any one of those elements is lacking, the signature can be challenged, meaning petitioners will have to spread across the state and gather many signatures over the minimum.

The deadline is noon on Tuesday and, for a major political party, is possible to meet.

If they fail, however, the state Democratic party can still get a candidate on the ballot. State rules allow the “state committee” to fill a vacancy before June 30.

The dual deadlines essentially give the state party the power to choose the candidate, rather than voters in a primary.

If Tamyra D’Ippolito actually pulls off getting the 4,500 signatures by tomorrow, she’s the candidate. There’s nothing anyone could do about it.

Only Progressive Hoosiers have a chance of pulling this rabbit out of the hat. If you have some time and energy to spare it may be possible to do great service to the Democratic Party and our country.

Thanks in advance……

Tamyra For Senate c/o Linda Napier 1108 S. Madison St. Bloomington, Indiana 47403-4738 ph: 812.323.9005 cell: 812-650-2072

Shit. Sheep shit.

Right now it seems Tamyra d’Ippolito is trying to get enough signatures to get on the ballot. Sadly, I’m in Indiana begging for someone to primary Bayh and today is the first I’ve heard of her, but I would guess she’s a genuine progressive since she was interested in running against Bayh before today’s announcement.

She’s on Facebook here.

Shit it’s time to take the trash out!!

“Good widdence to bad wubbish” – Elmer Fudd. Yes, sir…

Democratic imperial war goose-steppers are just as bad as Republican imperial war goose-steppers.

And the rockets’ red glare, Marjah Afghans bursting in air, gave proof thru’ the night, that the US imperialists were still there…

Okay. Listening to the press conference now, it doesn’t sound like governor is the next step. Private industry.

Bayh takes no Qs at his presser.

Oh he’s not gone yet. He’s just not running for re-election. He still has 10 months to fuck things around before he leaves office.

Birch Bayh at last report is alive and 82. Do you know something different?

I just got an email inviting me to become a delegate to the Indiana Democratic Party Convention – do you think that would give me any say in Bay’s replacement?

DRAFT MELLENCAMP FOR SENATE movement catches fire on the internet!

With the announced resignation of Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana still hot on the blogs and heading for the MSM headlines, a comment by Talking Points Memo reader “erica” suggesting John Mellencamp as a viable candidate for the Indiana Democrats to offer in the general election, has sparked a grassroots wildfire on the internet to draft the singer/songwriter to run for office. Mellencamp, a who established his political creds long ago with performances for “Farm Aid” and manyother political events could conceivably gather the necessary 4,500 signatures in the remaining 24 hours, if he were allowed to use the internet (500 from each Indiana Congressional District could come just from his Indiana fan base.)

Fans and supporters are working to establish a site that can help gather support and signatures, until then, stay tuned to this blog, or go to Talking Points Memo CAFE for more information as the story unfolds.

This is wonderful news. Is it any wonder he took one last chance to screw the Democratic base by making it easier for the machine to pick his successor?

What an odious made. And without great efforts on the OFA website 18 months ago, he might have been the Veep. He’s very much more what Obama would have preferred, I think.

Yep time to make the BIG Bucks just like his wife… Greedy assholes!

More money, less bipartisan shit.

Thanks for checking that – I definitely overstated things. Out of 16 comments by 6-8 unique commenters, only a few of them address the issue of primary-vs.-committee selection of candidates.

[I haven't visited IB since my 2008 candidate researching, so other than a vague recollection of the post's author, I know nothing about the commenters over there.]

OT

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CNN) — A Dominican man who is acting as a legal adviser to 10 Americans arrested on child kidnapping charges in Haiti is himself facing allegations of human trafficking in El Salvador and human smuggling charges in the United States.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/15/haiti.legal.adviser.charges/

WTF!!! I think its time for Holder to go RICO on these guys the Righty blogs defending these guys have some crow to eat. Now then have the Baptists done any adoptions before can we find any of the kids this guy trafficked or were they unwilling organ donors?

Yes!

ok, he’s gone; let’s not waste time bashing him.
who are the folks running or could run?
D’ippolito, Hill, and Ellsworth.
Where are the progressives here?

Bayh apparently called Reid only AFTER the news had become public. Stay classy, Evan…

Hill is as bad or worse than Bayh. Ellsworth is probably a hair better than Bayh, but certainly no progressive. D’ippolito is definitely progressive – I just got off the phone with her and will try to collect signatures.

If D’ippolito doesn’t get the signatures, the party bosses will appoint Hill probably. Our only hope for progress is to get enough signatures for D’ippolito.

Signatures need to be in my tomorrow, BTW.

Don’t Let the Door Hit You in the Ass on the Way Out, Evan … it appears to be a rapidly moving revolving door, being shared by both Senators and Representatives. Perhaps they realize that the economic news – and unemployment – is going to get worse at some point this year, especially when the public sector jobs start to plummet, e.g. Public sector: An anchor as we sink. Collapse of the American Auto industry was a leading indicator, IMO, brought on by the inability to compete. Like Chrysler & GM, Congress (local and state gov’ts also) has been kicking the ‘Ponzi-Can’ down the road for decades, but that road is about to come to an end. A lot of Americans are about to retire, flooding the ranks of retirees, and the costs are astounding – example:

One state retiree, 49 years old, paid, over the course of his entire career, a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments over his life and nearly $500,000 for health care benefits — a total of $3.8m on a $120,000 investment. Is that fair?

That retiree was just “49 years old”!?! If I were a Congressman (Dem or Rep), I would be looking for a place to hide, because the time for pointing Fingers of Guilt has ended!

So why are you still here? Get crackin’. And good luck. *g*

Quayle’s kid is going to run in Arizona for the House.

Hope he’s taken some spelling lessons.

true dat!!

A lot more money and a lot less responsibility as a lobbyist.

Let us see what lobbyist position or industry hack slot he assumes–financial-healthcare-or pharma……true to his profile

You can organize and show the state party that the rank and file aren’t gonna accept it. Get in their face, figuratively, and stay in it. Hammer ‘em on the local blogs, letters to the editor, talk shows, etc. If D’ippolito doesn’t get enough signatures start as soon as the announcement is made. No better time to go on the offensive than now.

He can’t lobby Congress for 2 years after leaving office so that will have minimum impact on anything in the near future. Knowin’ where he is is always a plus, however.

David Dayen has a fresh cross-post already in progress: Tamyra D’Ippolito: “Politics in Indiana is the old boy’s school.”

I think Birch Bayh would disown him if he were still alive.

Birch Bayh IS still alive.

EDIT: sorry, should have read the thread. Others pointed it out before this.

I will guarantee u he’s quitting because he’s been offered a job as a BIG lobbyist for some Health care Ins. outfit or for some other Big Corp. set up. This guy isn’t going away he’s just trading up.

Maybe, instead of Evan, he should have been named John Birch Bayh.

Alas, bye Bayh.

This weekend his communications staff was still arranging interviews according to TPM.

Why am I getting this “one step ahead of the sheriff” feeling about Bayh’s decision not to seek re-election?

You know where 1.2 million to 1.5 million votes are going to come from? That’s what it takes to win the general election for Senate. From 3500 to that number is a huge uphill slog.

Glad I’m wrong about Birch Bayh having died. Wish he would run again if he’s up to it. I thought he passed about five years ago. Is there another Bayh that passed about that time?

Whose side are you on? And if Joe Blow had invested in EXXonUS that profit would be ok??? He had a contract- not corporate welfare. Joe Blow can die at age 50 too. They play the odds don’t worry.

Yes!

Good riddance Bayh.

Bayh, obstructionist to direly needed socio-economic progress in America that he is, at least did not turn independent-in-denial after beaten in his primary in 2005, and then single-handedly kill Public Option as a “new government bureaucracy”.

Joe Liberman, join your beloved (read, failed) GOP, or take a hike. What a joke / worse than Bayh or Landrieu even — saw a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth