Bye, Bayh!

With 24 years of public service in tow, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh announced Monday, February 15 that he will not be seeking reelection in what could have been the race of his career. The news came just over 24 hours before major party candidates were required to file a petition of nomination with a mandatory 4,500 signatures. Thus, those interested in running on the Democratic ticket were, in essence, robbed of their opportunity to take part in the primary election. Now the Indiana Democratic Central Committee is left with the extraordinary task of choosing a candidate for the ballot by June 30.

Constituents were only given vague answers as to why the two-term senator chose to sit this one out. In his speech, Bayh stated, “For some time, I have had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should. There is too much partisanship and not enough progress.” This reasoning might have had more merit if America did not already have a two party system that has been oozing in partisanship long before Bayh first took his Senate seat in 1998. Bayh went on to insist, “My decision was not motivated by political concern. Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.” This overly optimistic statement is practically comical considering the GOP’s victory in the notoriously liberal state of Massachusetts. In addition, there are predictions that the GOP is expected to take a large number of seats in November due to growing opposition to the Obama agenda. 

Suspicion over the entire ordeal escalates when Bayh’s votes on key political issues are taken into account. Not only did the senator vote for the stimulus package, but he also voted for the highly controversial health care bill. It makes one wonder why the Democratic Senator of a conservative leaning state would choose to vote in favor of such heated issues if he planned to run for reelection months later. Not only were these bills divisive, but they were also coming from a president whose approval ratings were slipping at an alarming rate.  

After taking this all into consideration, the Senator’s statements make absolutely no sense. Bayh chose not to run again because he realized that Congress can be partisan at times. He’s been in Congress since 1998! If he is just figuring this out, then why was he a Senator to begin with? It makes even less sense why he would vote in favor of controversial bills that were presented by a President with less than appealing approval ratings.. That would be political suicide at its best. If that was the case, whoever his political strategist was should go down in history as the worst political strategist of all time. So, why would Evan Bayh support career ending bills and practically hand over the Democratic nomination for the big shots to decide? I guess no one will know. Maybe next year when Mr. Bayh is appointed to a board or another similar position this will all make more sense to us Hoosiers.

Although there will not be a Democratic primary, the race to win the Republican primary is underway, and boy is it proving to be a fierce competition. The contenders include Dan Coats, Don Bates Jr., Richard Behney, John N. Hostettler, and Marlin A. Stutzman. Although there is no clear choice at this point, it is clear that the GOP has a second grade crush on former senator Dan Coats. This, however, irritates many Republicans who would much rather throw their support (and cash) behind one of the four alternative candidates instead of the former Senator. 

Another controversial candidate is the founder of the Indianapolis Tea Party and Indy Defenders of Liberty, Richard Behney. The author of Stand!, a daring account of the current political spectacle ensuing in Washington, announced his surprising candidacy on September 4, 2009. It is unclear whether or not his campaign can take the heat against the other four candidates, but it will be very interesting to see how the Tea Party movement plays a part in the 2010 election. If the recent Massachusetts’ election was even a small indicator of what is to come, then Dan Coats most definitely has a reason to watch his back given the fact that Richard Behney, Don Bates Jr., John N. Hostettler, and Marlin A. Stutzman all have more than just a chance in the primaries.

In order to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about each candidate, Young Americans for Liberty will be hosting a debate in which  an all student panel will ask questions of the candidates. It will be held on April 1st in Fowler Hall at 7p.m. The primary election will then take place on May 4th and the general election will take place on November 2nd. For voter registration information, visit www.indianavoters.com.