Bayh in Hawkeye Country

Looks as though Senator Bayh will have a working vacation during the August recess as he will be visiting Iowa next week:

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is scheduled to visit Iowa on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Bayh, a possible 2008 White House hopeful, earlier this month visited New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary state. Iowa holds the first caucuses in presidential elections, and things there are rather fluid politically.

That's because the state's governor, Tom Vilsack, may make a presidential bid, pretty much making the state off-limits to his fellow Democrats.

But in the meantime, Bayh and others are going to troop there.

Bayh's plans call for a speech Wednesday at a fund-raiser for Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, a trip to Waterloo on Wednesday that will include an appearance before the Black Hawk County Democrats, and time in Des Moines on Thursday.

tag: evan bayh

Bayh Cautious on Roberts

Senator Bayh is being justifiably cautious when it comes to his approach to President Bush's nominee to the Supreme Court as an article in the Indy Star points out:

Sen. Evan Bayh isn't too eager to pose in public with Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.

Roberts has been visiting senators as he prepares for his confirmation hearings, which are set to begin Sept. 6. Although the meetings are private, Roberts often poses for photos with senators before or after the meetings.

Roberts, who was raised in Northern Indiana, did that when he met with Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., on Tuesday. Lugar, a strong Roberts supporter, had alerted the media to the meeting and spoke to reporters afterward.

Bayh, on the other hand, did not publicize his Wednesday meeting with Roberts and did not comment afterward about their discussion.

Bayh has said he wants to learn more about Roberts' views before deciding whether he will support him. His vote could have implications for his potential presidential bid if Democratic activists see Roberts' confirmation as a threat to abortion rights.

tag:evan bayh

Coming This Thursday To AFB.com

These topics will be freshly served on the op/ed plate for next Thursday's BILL EARL'S COLUMN (44.0):

>Virginia to be key battleground for 2008

>Allen or Mark? WHO do they like BEST?

>AFB.com rep getting packed to stump for Bayh in Feingold country

>Bayh's greatest hit?

>Will Feinstein as VP satisfy HRC fans?

...and more op/ed commentary on any upcoming breaking news stories before Wednesday night's 9:59pm PST deadline.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (44.0)..this Thursday morning on AFB.com

///////////////////

Bayh's DLC Speech

We have a DLC link to Senator Bayh's remarks in Columbus, Ohio. You can follow it HERE. This is one of many great parts of the speech. I heard on Inside Indiana Radio today that Bayh's speech was the best received speech of the one's that were given.

It must change because those in charge in Washington today have done so much to deplete our strength and to undermine our national security. On their watch -- on their watch, North Korea has become a virtually assembly line for nuclear weapons. It's on their watch that stockpiles of biological, chemical and nuclear materials have gone unsecured across the former Soviet Union. It's on their watch that our nation remains woefully unprepared to face the calamity of a global pandemic. On their watch, our military forces have been stretched to the breaking point. On their watch, our alliances have been frayed. And it's on their watch that the situation in Iraq has been terribly, terribly mismanaged.

We never had enough troops to secure that country. It's obvious they had not plan for winning the peace. When I was in Baghdad in December, our top intelligence official told me, things would be 100 percent in Iraq -- 100 percent -- if we'd only not sent the Iraqi army home. But they did, and that is a tragedy. It is a tragedy. And we as Democrats can do better. We can do better than the false bravado of "bring 'em on." We can do better than the illusion of "mission accomplished." We can do better than the flippancy of "you go to war with the army that you've got." We can do better than those things. What happened in Iraq: they came on. The mission is far from accomplished, and we went to the war with the army that we had but we didn't give our troops the equipment that they needed to do the job and protect themselves.

That's not strength; it's incompetence -- and those responsible need to be held to account. And we Democrats have the strength and the understanding to know that to truly secure this America, to truly secure this country, and to make us strong it involves a whole lot more than sending our brave soldiers to fight battles in far away lands. It involves each and every one of us doing our part right here at home each and every day. But that takes leadership -- a leadership that's been lacking with those in charge in Washington today.

Bayh Helping More Hoosiers to Find Jobs

Looks like Senator Bayh is again putting his money where his mouth is by holding another job fair, this time in South Bend.

Senator Bayh is helping to bring businesses and potential workers together, in the third annual job fair, job training, and small business summit.

Senator Bayh will co-host the event alongside Jobworks, the Northern Indiana Workforce Investment Board and Indiana University-South Bend.

Nearly 900 job openings will be available at the summit.

The summit takes place Tuesday August 16 at IUSB from 9 AM until noon.

tag:evan bayh

IndyStar Multimedia Timeline on Evan Bayh

Check out Gannett's/IndyStar's multimedia timeline on Evan Bayh with audio playbacks:

http://content.gannettonline.com/gns/bayh/bayh.html

Bayh Sponsored Combat Meth Act Moves Forward

The Combat Meth Act, co-sponsored by Senator Bayh, is one step closer to becoming law as it passes through the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Combat Meth Act was approved in the Senate's Judiciary committee Thursday. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is one of 26 co-sponsors of the bill. He said methamphetamine abuse "is a real epidemic, unfortunately, across the country."

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 5 percent of Americans have tried meth at least once, and most who said they had used it in the last year are younger than 35.

"Indiana has moved in the right direction with its state law," Bayh said, and he hopes that it will see fewer meth labs as a result. He said Oklahoma has less locally manufactured meth because it restricted cold medicine sales. Oregon is likely to pass a bill that would require a prescription for cold medicines containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

"I'm in favor of what works," Bayh said. "Let's monitor what's going in Oregon."

The national bill would also offer $15 million in grants for law enforcement agencies around the country and $5 million in grants for child protection agencies to cope with neglected and abused children whose parents use meth.

Bayh Meets with Roberts

Looks as though Senator Bayh has met with Supreme Court nominee John Roberts as reported by WNDU-TV in South Bend.

Meanwhile, Roberts continues to meet with senators on Capitol Hill, including Indiana democrat Evan Bayh. The senator says it is very important to know Robert's beliefs.

"I liked him a lot as a person but the question before us is what does he believe, how would he interpret the constitution, what standard would he use for changing the interpretation of the constitution,” said Bayh.

Bayh says he is anxious to hear more from Roberts because if confirmed, Roberts would be an integral part of this country's supreme court for decades to come.

Bolton Caught Red-Handed

Big, big news that Bolton lied on his Senate questionnaire. I d on't know how this will play out but this can't be good news to the Bush administration which should immediately pull his nomination and not make Bolton a recess appointment. This revelation damges his credibility and will make him even more ineffective as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

State Dept. Says Bolton Was Interviewed
By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer

John Bolton, the nominee for U.N. ambassador, inaccurately told Congress he had not been interviewed or testified in any investigation over the past five years, the State Department said Thursday, responding to a Democratic critic.

Bolton was interviewed by the State Department inspector general as part of a joint investigation with the Central Intelligence Agency related to Iraqi attempts to buy nuclear materials from Niger, State Department spokesman Noel Clay said.

When Bolton filled out a Senate questionnaire in connection with his nomination, "he didn't recall being interviewed by the State Department's inspector general. Therefore, his form, as submitted, was inaccurate," Clay said.

Bayh Working Hard for American Workers

Missed this yesterday but it seems that Senator Bayh is doing his best to help workers adjust.

Bayh Makes Push to Help Workers Adjust to Global Economy
Senator co-sponsors legislation to expand Trade Adjustment Assistance program

Washington, DC - In an effort to help more workers and businesses compete successfully in the global economy, U.S. Senator Evan Bayh co-sponsored two pieces of legislation that will provide training for dislocated workers to rejoin the workforce and help manufacturing companies become more competitive. The two bills would expand the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program by making service workers eligible for job-training and relocation assistance and by helping protect a key support system which helps manufacturing companies improve their competitive advantage.

"Globalization presents unparalleled opportunities for economic growth and job creation," Senator Bayh said. "It also presents many challenges and we have an obligation to re-train workers who are dislocated because of globalization. We need to help them get back on the ladder towards being upwardly mobile, rather than simply leaving them in the scrapheap of history as the economy changes. These Trade Adjustment Assistance initiatives will make sure that with hard work, workers can get back on their feet, moving forward again."

Scariest Man in America?

bolton
Originally uploaded by lobejammer.

I mean that just by looking at his picture Bolton, Bush's nominee for Ambassador to the United Nations, doesn't look a guy anyone would care to invite over to dinner. Not only that, there are now questions if he lied to Congress when he said he wasn't interivewed in the Plame/Wilson Affair. But this guy just looks mean.

The 23rd Qualm

Thought I'd share this. Came across it in The Huffingtom Post.

The 23rd Qualm

Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war,
I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever

Indiana Republican Considers Bayh

Here's direct evidence of Senator Bayh's appeal to Republicans and voters in the state of Indiana. Remeber that with the blue states from 2004 and Indiana and neghboring Ohio, Bayh would have an electoral victory.

Now on to what the topic has turned to: the 2008 election. I am not too concerned with Hillary. I am not convinced that she would win. I think the Democrats best shot is Evan Bayh. As a Republican from Indiana I would have to seriously consider voting for Bayh.

The Executive Experience Issue Will Sink HRC And Biden

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN
Originally uploaded by BiLL EARL.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (43.0)

Since last week...

>Our AFB.com website has a new face-lift thanks to our own Marie, with editor/owner Art's blessing. As AFB.com carries this column, you probably noticed it before now. Like it? What do YOU think?

>John Kerry back in the news...He wants ALL of Roberts files from Roberts days with the WH..don't think JK will get them..also JK's brother, Cameron Kerry, wants to run for state office in Massachussetts.

>Earlier this week, we reprinted an article on Montana Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer..that maybe HE'S the dark horse for 2008? I don't think so..he has zero foreign policy experience but the EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE ISSUE, which Schweitzer DOES have, I believe will be the deciding factor in 2008. More on that later in this week's column.

>I personally just signed on the 242nd member to our national Bayh Yahoo! group this morning. I want 250 by Labor Day.

>DLC had their "beauty contest" over the past week..2008 contenders, Bayh, Hillary, and Mark Warner were all there, along with new DLC leader Tom Vilsack. Those who were there were impressed by Evan Bayh. Hillary, too, came off good. Warner has a tough stump style..very commanding, but from what I've seen of him in the past, he lacks the CHARM that Evan Bayh has.

>I watched HRC on C-SPAN's "Road to the White House" series last Sunday...she looked good, and was BEST when she went off her script toward the end..she's not the best speech reader but has charisma just TALKING to the audience, as Bayh does.

>Here in CA, there is no Republican elected official wanting to take on U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2006. Looks like it will be a cakewalk for her. As much as I'd like to see either her, or Barbara Boxer take on Schwarzenegger next year, in the Governor race for CA, I think neither will. Strongest Repub in the state to take on Feinstein WON'T. U.S. Congressman David Dreier would have the best shot, but gossip about his personal life, as LA Weekly reported earlier this year, (we're not gonna go there) will keep him from seeking higher office.

>Did you read about the boys in Ohio who burned down the home of a Hispanic? I've been comfortable around Latinos all my life, my parents actually always preferred hiring Mexican senoritas as babysitters for me as a child. But as I have suspected, parts of the United States are just not as welcoming or comfortable with Hispanics as we are here in CA. That is why I fear New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson might face some hidden anti-Latino sentiment out there if he is on our 2008 ticket. I fear that, even though Richardson is a good candidate for top or second slot. But do we want to take that RISK in 2008?

>I still am very much against John Roberts replacing O'Connor on our Supreme Court. We KNOW he will be confirmed, but I hope a few Dems (like Bayh) will vote "No." My problem is this: a white male replacing the first woman is a step backwards...Cheney/Bush Jr. should have picked a woman. But a white male NOW? Wrong move. Timing WRONG.

>Want to say hi to Julie from a web message board group who likes Bayh..Julie is "V Diamond" on the Ezboard.com "P & P" threads. Julie quoted us earlier this week. Thank YOU, Julie.

>Main issue for this week:

I truly believe that "The Executive Experience Issue" will be the MAIN one when deciding our next President. Both Hillary and Joe Biden have NO executive experience...they have been only U.S. Senators. I think our next President will HAVE TO be either a sitting, or a former, Governor. Bayh needs to stress that he WAS a two-term Governor of Indiana. The Repubs will try to use his U.S. Senate votes, and his current job AGAINST him..he needs to be aware of that, as the Repubs will try to slam him badly..

I have always said, what's the old line?, unless he's "caught with a dead girl, or a live boy", IF we nominate Evan Bayh, he WILL win. Bayh IS the right man at the right time. I hope our party leaders get that into the heads of those in Iowa or NH. It is THOSE two states that will determine WHO our nominee will be.

Here at AFB.com, we came up with a graphic: "Bayh in NH and Iowa, OR FORGET November." I feel that is sooo true..If our party has a bloodbath in the primaries, or nominates the "most liberal" (NOT Bayh) we may not win in what should be a Democratic year, 2008.

Hillary is known by EVERYONE..Repubs and Dems..NO Republican would ever vote for her. THAT is why she can't win. As much as I'd like to see her as President, if we nominate her WE WILL LOSE. Let's not take that risk. We have a SAFE BET with Evan Bayh. He WILL win IF we nominate him.

>Last bit of news...this AFB.com contributing columnist WILL be going to Wisconsin, leaving on August 5th for a week crisscrossing the state, visiting Dem hdqs etc, as a rep for AFB.com and our national Yahoo! group. And I also am making plans to go to the big enchilada..Iowa..in August 2006..to also crisscross THAT state..visiting Iowa Dem hdqs as a rep for AFB.com.
I'll talk more about this in next week's column (44.0), coming out the day BEFORE I leave for Wisconsin.

By the way, if you noticed this column is coming out LATE WEDNESDAY night, instead of EARLY Thursday morning, it's because Flickr.com, which supplies our logo, will be OFF for umpteen hours Thursday morning, so for this column to go with your Thursday morning cup of Starbucks, it got rushed out a tad earlier than usual.

>LAST Last bit of news:

it's official..Pataki WON'T run for another term as NY Gov. That makes it a shoo-in for our big Dem gun Eliott Spitzer. Look for Governor Spitzer in November 2006.

Very quickly:

Our own EB08 Lead Moderator, Daniel Solzman, is also a semi-professional comedian and stand-up comic. With "The Aristocrats" movie coming out this weekend, I challenge Daniel to tell us HIS version of that..uh..."classic" joke..HE knows what I mean. We just CAN'T run it here. Comedians know why.

>Lastly:

EB08 Moderator Kat Sullivan's hubby, Big Peter Sullivan is sure getting ink..I see him quoted all over the web in the DLC reports.. I see Peter Sullivan as an big up-and-coming NH Dem...He sure is getting "the name" ink..and as long as they spell it right is our old Hollywood rule...as a former radio personality here in Los Angeles, I KNOW the value name recognition HAS.

Gotta go..Flickr is about ready to be "flicked off" :(

Til next time..Thursday, August 4...

////////////////////////////////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN is a periodic feature..currently weekly...every Thursday...of AFB.com. Not only is Bill a contributing columnist here, but also is EB08 Senior Moderator of the national Bayh Yahoo! group, and CFB Moderator from Rosemead in the California Bayh Yahoo! group, both part of the National Bayh! Network...NB!N)

OUCH!

The approval ratings for President Bush and Congress are bad, getting dimal, and have to be heartening to Democrats everywhere since, of course, Democrats are not in the White House or in control of Congress. If this keeps up 2006 could be a watershed event. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

President Bush's Approval

American voters disapprove of the job President George W. Bush is doing 53 - 41 percent, his lowest approval rating since becoming President. This compares to a 50 - 44 percent disapproval in a May 25 Quinnipiac University poll.

Voters disapprove 60 - 30 percent of the way Congress is doing its job.

Another Blogger Likes Bayh

Graham of the Cognesceti has the following to say about Evan Bayh:

Anyone who read my personal overview of the candidates who, thus far, appear to be the forerunners for the Democratic 08' nomination, know that I quite like Eban Bayh. Beyond the fact he is an Indiana Senator, and inherently possesses more electoral potential in the traditionally Republican states... I've also liked what I've seen of him over the last few years. I like the fact that he embodies value politics. He's a man, especially when challenged, who exudes principle, integrity, and consistency. He's possesses a vision of intellectual subtely and honesty that has acutally struck me as very sincere

NewDonkey.com Perspective on Bayh and DLC

Here's some impressions of Bayh and the DLC meeting in Columbus Ohio from NewDonkey.com:

Common Perspectives
I won't do a full post on the Monday session of the DLC's National Conversation in Columbus until the transcripts and video of the major speeches are up on our web page, so I can link to them and you can figure out if I'm spinning or truth-telling. But I will offer a few quick observations. And you can check out some of the media reports on the event here.

I guess the most notable common threads at the event were: (a) a very sharp and often angry critique of the Bush administration and the GOP; (b) a sense of agreement that security, opportunity, values and reform are the four big issues where Democrats ought to focus their work and their message; and (c) a concern that Democrats must soon begin to offer positive alternatives to the Republicans so that their pain will produce our gains (which isn't much happening yet, according to most polls).

Evan Bayh, generally considered a national security hawk, offered a truly acidic critique of the administration's handling of the war on terror, concluding: "That's not strength, that's incompetence..."

But the same speakers consistently warned that Democrats can't simply offer negative critiques or counter-polarize, even if that makes unity a bit easier. Bayh described the need for positive alternatives as a party responsibility to the country.

Bayh Quote from Columbus

Found this quote on the DLC website and thought I'd run with it. There will be a complete transcript of Bayh's speech later this week that we'll link to and excerpt.

Outgoing DLC Chairman Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana offered a strong critique of Bush administration policies, especially in the area of national defense, concluding a summary of its mistakes by saying: "That's not strength; that's incompetence."

But Bayh also made it clear Democrats have to understand their own challenge to offer clear alternatives: "The challenge that we face as a party isn't what a lot of the elites inside the beltway like to talk about. It's not about semantics. It's not about finding the right metaphor. It's not about framing. It's understanding the profound changes that are shaping our future, appreciating the challenges that those changes are creating in the course of people's daily lives, and harnessing our values to forge an agenda to empower our people to meet those challenges and to make the

Bayh to Visit Iowa

The Des Moines Register reports on Senator Bayh's plans to visit the state next month:

Bayh to visit Iowa next month
The two Democrats are expected to run for their party's presidential nomination in 2008.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
July 26, 2005

Columbus, Ohio - Two likely Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled to meet with Iowa party activists in August, even though Gov. Tom Vilsack is among those who may seek the 2008 nomination.

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh plans to make his first trip to Iowa since the 2004 election next week while former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards plans to visit the state for the third time since the election.

Bayh is scheduled to make a three-day swing that includes a stop in Des Moines, where he plans to meet party activists and headline an Aug. 2 fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, a Des Moines Democrat.

Bayh, the former governor of Indiana, also plans to visit the Waterloo area, where he is expected to meet with Black Hawk County Democrats on Aug. 3 before leaving Iowa from Des Moines on Aug. 4, aides said.

The continuing activity by would-be Democratic presidential candidates comes as Vilsack is also weighing a 2008 bid. The Iowa caucuses are expected to launch the 2008 presidential nominating campaign.

Bayh, attending the Democratic Leadership Council's annual meeting in Columbus, said it was too early to say whether he would campaign in Iowa, should Vilsack enter the race. However, decisions by some candidates to skip Iowa in 2004 proved costly, he added.

"The speed of the process has changed," Bayh said in an interview with The Des Moines Register. "A couple of the candidates who skipped Iowa concluded that was a very mistaken thing to do. It may be, even if there's a popular favorite son, you have no choice but to try and compete."

Bayh Wants Automatic Review of Foreign Purchases

While it looks like the Chinese bid for Unocal may be falling apart, there's still the possibility that foreign countries may attempt to take over some of our counties strategic enrgy resources in the future. With a view towards this, Senator Bayh has introduced an ammendment to a defense bill to have an automatic review of any purchase valued at over one billion dollars.

Bayh Offers Amendment to Ensure Review of Energy-Related Foreign Takeovers
Senator calls for mandatory reviews of energy-related takeovers to examine energy, defense concerns

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh today introduced an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that would make all energy-related foreign takeovers of American companies worth more than $1 billion subject to an automatic review. Under current law, companies are not obligated to report takeovers for review, regardless of potential concerns over energy needs or national security implications.

"We need to make sure that any foreign purchase of a U.S. company does not threaten our national security or limit much-needed natural resources," Senator Bayh said. "Any takeover worth more than a billion dollars should warrant a serious review to ensure that American interests are not harmed by the sale."

Bayh's amendment is designed to increase transparency in an often secretive process by requiring companies to report significant energy takeover offers and by requiring the Administration to share news of all offers with Congress. Bayh's amendment would also expand the scope of the review board responsible for approving such sales, by requiring them to consider the nature of the nation's relationship with the United States and any significant surge in that nation's military spending in addition to other concerns. Finally, Bayh's amendment would add the National Intelligence Director to the review board to strengthen representation responsible for raising national security concerns.

Hmmm....

chad
Originally uploaded by lobejammer.

I really don't know if this picture is funny or pathetic but it does show how low-tech our soldiers have to be in training other country's forces. I applaud the ingenuity but now we know just how important G.I. Joe is to our military.

Indianapolis WTHR-TV (NBC) Coverage of Bayh

Here's a link to WTHR's coverage of Senator Bayh's speech. Follow the link HERE.

Bayh on Inside Politics

Looks as though Senaotr Bayh was on Inside Politics this afternoon. Here's a partial transcript of the interview. Follow this link to a transcript of the show and the entire interview.

BASH: Senator Clinton is one of several potential 2008 presidential hopefuls attending the DLC meeting. Governors Mark Warner and Tom Vilsack are also there, as well as Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.

I spoke with Senator Bayh a short time ago. And I started by asking him about the split within the ranks or organized labor we've been reporting and if he thinks the breakup is bad for his party.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: What matters to me is the welfare of working men and women across this country. And, on that, Democrats are united.

I know these organizational things come and go, but, regardless of that, we need to focus upon better health care, job security and creation, pension security, those kinds of things. And if we focus on that, then, hopefully, this will be just a temporary bump in the road.

BASH: OK, Senator, I want to ask about a speech that you gave -- gave there at the DLC meeting today. You talked about it being a time for intraparty squabbling and division to be over. It's no secret that the DLC, the moderate wing, where you are, and Democratic National Committee have had some -- some rifts, if you will, recently.

And your own CEO and founder, Al From, said recently -- quote -- "For the most part, congressional Democrats, DNC Chairman Howard Dean and parts of the new Internet activists have delivered a largely negative and pessimistic message, talking about more about what is going wrong than how to make that right."

So, that sounds like a pretty divisive statement in and of itself. Are you speaking to your members of the DLC, that they should sort of stop attacking Howard Dean?

BAYH: Dana, I called for unity today. Of course we're a diverse property. And that is actually a source of great strength for the Democratic Party. And of course we occasionally have differences of opinion. And it's good that we debate those.

But what's happened since November is that we've begun obsessing on those relatively minor differences and we have got to get beyond all that and focus upon what really matters. And that is harnessing our values to -- to forge an agenda for opportunity and progress for the American people.

So, centrist Democrats, left, right, all that doesn't matter. What matters is moving forward and focusing on practical results for the American people. So, I hope we'll get beyond this identity crisis and all that stuff and focus upon the work at hand.

BASH: I want to ask about -- back here in Washington, about the leaks investigation. Your party has been pushing this hard. They've had mock hearings. It was the subject of their radio address this past weekend. They've been calling for Karl Rove's security clearance to be revoked.

It is -- it seems to be sort of a top issue for the rank-and-file Democrats out there. Given what you just said about moving on and talking about issues, is this the top agenda item, should it be, for Democrats?

BAYH: Well, it's certainly an important issue. I mean, it all comes down to leadership, Dana. We shouldn't have someone working in the Oval Office trying to discredit and smear a private individual, who's just speaking their mind about an important issue facing the country.

That is not going to move our nation forward. We have got tremendous national security challenges and economic challenges and a variety of other things. And so to have a -- one of the president's right-hand people engaged in that kind of behavior just is not -- it's not up to the standards that we ought to have in the White House.

So, it's a legitimate issue, but it's only one of many. And we have to focus on the others, too.

BASH: Let me ask you about one other issue. And that is, of course, John Roberts, his nomination. Many Democrats want to use this to sort of illustrate the differences between the party.

Democrats want to ask specifically about abortion and other issues that could highlight social differences between the right and the left, if you will. Is that something that should be done through the Roberts nomination?

BAYH: Well, I think it should. I don't think we should have either a rush to confirmation or a rush to confrontation.

You know, this individual will probably be on the Supreme Court for 30 or 40 years and will be interpreting our basic document that affects the basic civil liberties of the American people. And I think it would be irresponsible to not ask someone who has been nominated for a position like that what some of their core beliefs are.

You wouldn't run for the United States Senate or for governor or for anything else without answering people's questions about what you believe. And I think the -- the Supreme Court is no different.

BASH: Senator, it's quickly time to embarrass you. I think we have got just a few seconds left. I learned from your hometown paper today that you were recently named the hottest senator, not counting Barack Obama from Illinois. And you joked with your staff that you wanted to do a walk-off, like they had in the movie "Zoolander."

How is that planning coming? Are you planning to do that? And can you give me one of those "Zoolander" faces? Is that something that...

(LAUGHTER)

BASH: ... you've learned from that movie?

BAYH: I'm not sure I am going to embarrass myself on national TV by giving you a "Zoolander" face. But I -- I am going to say to my good friend Barack, look, maybe we can raise for a few bucks for the DLC and have some fun in the meantime. So, we'll -- we'll see how that goes.

I mean, it just goes the show that there are a lot of shortsighted people out there when it comes to voting on hottest and not hottest.

BASH: OK. well, we're certainly going to see how that goes, in terms of you and Barack Obama doing that walk-off.

(LAUGHTER)

BASH: Let us know when that happens.

BAYH: Thank you, Dana. We'll -- we'll keep you posted.

More Bayh Coverage

This coverage comes via courtesy of one of the Indianaplois TV stations, WTHR, an NBC affiliate.

Senator Bayh addresses influential Democratic group
Kevin Rader/Political Reporter

Columbus, Ohio, July 25 - It is no surprise the Democratic Leadership Council would go to Columbus, Ohio. Democrats want to capture Midwestern values and votes.

Would-be Presidential candidates include Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, Governor Tom Vilsack from Iowa, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Senator Evan Bayh.

Bayh told the group, "The challenge we face is represented on the streets of Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis and a million other villages and cities around this country. It's understanding profound changes that are slowing our future, appreciating the challenges they are confronting over the course of peoples' daily lives and harnessing our values to forge an agenda to empower people to meet these challenges and to make the most of their lives. That's the work of the Democratic Party, the work of the USA and it's the work we begin anew right here today."

Senator Bayh told the group of around 500 Democrats from all around the country that President George W. Bush will be judged harshly for portraying himself as a uniter and not a divider. "He has proceeded to govern in a way that has divided this country more than any time since the Vietnam War. We can't afford that kind of leadership anymore."

Early TV Coverage of Bayh in Columbus

Here's some TV coverage of Senator Bayh's speech to the DLC this morning in Columbus, Ohio.

Follow the link HERE (Windows Media)

Bayh Quote from Columbus

Looks like reports are already dribbling out on the speeches by Sen. Clinton, Gov. Vilsack, and Evan Bayh. The quote from Senator Bayh's address is so very true and so very telling about why he is best suited to lead this country.

Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, also the subject of 2008 speculation, said Clinton "is a very strong front-runner" but told activists the party's future lies in the Midwest.

"Our success as a party will be determined largely by how well we do here," Bayh said

This is such am important point. While we never wish to speak ill of other candidates, it is abundantly clear that of all the potential candidates mentioned for 2008, Senator Bayh is in the best position to to make inroads in the red states of the Midwest. As others have pointed out, if Bayh can hold what Kerry won in 2004 and simply add Inidana and neighboring Ohio, the deal would close on the White House. I know this is getting a little ahead of things but this is a very strong argument and should be emphasized over and over when one talks about Senator Bayh's prospects.

Bull Moose on DLC Event

From NewDonkey to Bull Moose (two of my favorite blogs), it looks like we have some fairly good coverage of the funfest in Columbus. Here's what the Bull Moose has to say:

Progressive Center Alive and Kicking
The Moose avers that netroots are fine but grassroots are finer.

The Moose is grazing in America's heartland at the DLC's National Conversation in Columbus, Ohio. Hundreds of Democratic elected leaders from across the red and blue states are in attendance. For those who lament from the right and the left about the decline of the democratic center, the Moose declares, "Let them come to Columbus."

The elected officials who are in attendance represent the future of progressivism in America. In a relatively conservative country, they have proven that smart progressives can both get elected and govern effectively. These folks will be the future Governors, Representatives and Senators. One of them might be a President someday.

What the Moose especially appreciates about this conference is that it is not about merely speechifying. There are innumerable workshops on how to advance the Democratic message. For instance, the Moose is participating in sessions on values issues and what can we learn from the conservative publicity machine.

This is an event that accentuates the positive. Leave it to others to talk about internal divisions within the party or nasty polarizing polemics. While someone from the daily kosy (misspelling intended) confines of Beserkely might utter ominous McCarthyite warnings about the "enemy within", here in Columbus constructive committed crusaders for progressivism are discussing ways to win back the hearts of the heartland. This is a time for Democrats to be ecumenical rather than suggesting a pious inquisition.

An upbeat Moose who is inspired and motivated by what he is seeing declares, "Gray skies are going to clear up, put on a happy face!"

Report on DLC Meetings from NewDonkey

Unfortunately I am not able to attend the DLC meeting in Columbus Ohio where Evan Bayh's tearm as chairman is ending; however, it sounds like it's going really well from the NewDonkey's report this morning. What I really like is the feeling of inclusiveness given which is in stark contrast to others who have demonized the DLC.

Greetings From Columbus
This weekend the DLC National Conversation (our annual meeting) got under way in Columbus, Ohio. Today's public session, featuring speeches by Hillary Clinton, Tom Vilsack (our new chairman), Evan Bayh, Mark Warner, and Tom Carper, will undoubtedly get some serious national press, but in some respects, the heart of the meeting was yesterday, when we held 22 workshops on a variety of policy and political topics.

We knew there would be more than 300 state and local elected officials here from more than forty states, but the interesting thing was that every one of them seemed to show up for a full menu of three workshops. I moderated three of them. The first, on "values and frames" (a discussion of the Lackoffian theory of message development, and others, including our own) had to be moved to an auditorium after about 80 people showed up. The second, on Religion and Politics, was SRO. And even in the shank of the afternoon, we had a full room for a discussion of that wonkiest of political topics, election reform and redistricting reform. And best as I could tell, every other workshop was pretty much sold-out as well. These folks (about half of whom were attending their first DLC national event) are hungry to learn and win.

Those folks who think of the DLC as an inside-the-beltway organization of old white guys would probably have been surprised by the sheer number of state and local attendees, and their diversity in terms of race and gender (about half the attendees were women). Even ideologically, I think we drew a fairly representative cross-section of state and local Democratic elected officials. The tone of most sessions, though infused with a sense of urgency, was upbeat. There was no talk of litmus tests or purges (please take note, Kos), and as usual with these events, a lot of networking and best-practices exchanges in small gatherings between the formal meetings.

Bayh on John Roberts

Thought it might be nice to highlight different subjects covered in Maureen Groppe's interview with Evan Bayh that appeared in Sunday's Indianapolis Star. Here's how Senator Bayh responded to questions on John Roberts:

Question: When Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement, you said Bush should pick a consensus candidate. Did he do that?

Answer: I don't know. Time will tell. I hope so. I don't know enough about the man to really express an opinion. The process hasn't even begun yet.

Q: He did go through the Senate for his current position.

A: And that's a hopeful sign. But the Supreme Court is different than the Court of Appeals, the main difference being that when you're on the Court of Appeals you're not the final arbiter. And I think the depth of review needs to be more extensive for the court from which there is no appeal. So I think that's a hopeful indication, but, again, we're just beginning.

Q: Is there anything in particular that you most want to know about him?

A: I'm just starting to get my thoughts together about that. Since I'm not on the Judiciary Committee, I don't have to deal with those things in great detail. Obviously, his intellect and his integrity -- I'm assuming that those are all right -- most of all his judicial approach. Is he willing to interpret the laws and the Constitution in accordance with the will of the voters in the first case and the intent of the framers in the latter case? And not have some kind of personal ideological agenda he's hoping to implement. If you feel that way, you ought to run for public office. So that's the main thing I'll be looking for.

Q: Your dad (former Sen. Birch Bayh, D-Ind.) led two filibusters against Supreme Court nominees. Do you see yourself playing any kind of high profile in this nomination?

A: Probably not. Not unless there's something that I'm not aware of that comes to my attention. My father was on the Judiciary Committee, so he was intimately involved with those kinds of things.

Evan Bayh Job Fair

Just wanted to give an example of the kind of things that Senator Bayh brings to his constituents. There's going to be an Evan Bayh job fair in Fort Wayne on August 16th. Many elected officials might be satisfied by simply representing constituents and businesses from their home state but Evan Bayh does something real that helps out the everyday citizen: a Job Fair. How cool. The details:

Evan Bayh Job Fair will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2010 Coliseum Blvd. E.

Bayh Second in Weekly Presidential Rankings

Tim Saler has a weekly ranking of both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. Senator Bayh came in second this week but what is even better is that the message that Bayh brings to the table is noted. If this message keeps coming out one can expect that good news coverage will continue along with the positive perceptions.

2. US Sen. Evan Bayh (Indiana)

Bayh has had a fairly quiet week, but everything that has been said about him seems to have been good. There is some belief circulating within Democratic circles that there are only a select few “not-Hillary” candidates who are not damaged goods in some way, shape, or form. Bayh regularly floats to the top of the list in this discussion. It doesn’t hurt, either, that many Republicans believe that Bayh would be the most formidable opponent for them to face in 2008. His record is progressive enough to win primaries, but he is not too far to the left for him to win a general election. They love him in Indiana, one of the reddest of the red states, and it’s hard to envision a scenario in which Bayh wins the nomination and loses the general election. He delivers at least Indiana and perhaps Ohio to the Democratic column, which would be more than enough, even if he only won Kerry’s states from 2004, to beat a Republican opponent.

MTBE Out of Energy Bill

Nice to see that their are signs of intelligence on Capitol Hill; however, MTBE still needs to be studied to see what deleterious effects it has had and continues to have.

MTBE protection dropped from energy bill draft
Sun Jul 24, 2005
By Chris Baltimore

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A House Republican-written proposal to protect makers of a water-fouling gasoline additive from lawsuits will not be included in draft bill that a House-Senate bargaining panel will debate on Monday, dimming prospects that the controversial plan will survive.

The House proposal to protect makers of methyl tertiary butyl ether -- or MTBE -- from liability lawsuits was a key factor that sank efforts to pass wide-sweeping energy legislation in the Senate last year.

A plan to create an $11.4 billion cleanup fund to clean up water contaminated by MTBE in exchange for liability protection for refiners "has not been accepted by the Senate and its unlikely -- in fact very unlikely -- that it would be," Republican Rep. Joe Barton of Texas told reporters on Sunday.

The decision made by key energy bill negotiators on Sunday removes a key sticking point from the crucial consensus text that House and Senate energy negotiators will discuss on Monday.

DLC Watch: Military Enlargement Needed

Given Senator Bayh's ties with the DLC and the convention going on in Columbus, Ohio, I thought we'd give a little falvor of what their discussing and some of the positions that are being taken. Besides the background coverage that is going on, there's this tidbit coming out in the press:

Centrist Dems Urge Military Enlargement
By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer 36 minutes ago

Centrists who contend Democrats cannot retake the White House until voters trust the party to protect them said Sunday the Army should expand by 100,000 soldiers and that colleges should open their campuses to military recruiters.

"A Democrat has to show the toughness to govern," said Al From, founder of the Democratic Leadership Council. "People don't doubt that Republicans will be tough."

From argued that national security and safety are threshold issues for swing voters who increasingly are trending Republican...

Hundreds of centrist Democrats gathered in Ohio for the annual meeting of the DLC. From and DLC President Bruce Reed argued that Democrats should be more aggressive in pushing values issues and take an unrelenting, hard-line stance against terrorism.

"No political party deserves to win unless it lays out a plan for Americans to win," said From.

"We're using the National Guard as a backdoor draft," he said.

Comments on DLC

Senator Bayh had the following comments on the DLC in today's Indianapolis Star which were highlighted separately from the main interview.

Bayh comments on Democratic Leadership Council
July 24, 2005

More about what Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., has to say about the Democratic Leadership Council, a group he has headed since February 2001:

Question: You’re stepping down July 25 as chairman of the DLC. The group, which promotes centrist Democratic policies, was founded because of a concern that the Democratic Party was out of touch with mainstream America. Do you think that’s still the case?

Answer: It was formed in response to what Al From referred to — he’s a good Indiana native — as the market failure of 1984 in which the Democratic nominee for president carried one state. And the thinking at that time was because all the enduring values of the Democratic Party — security, opportunity, responsibility — were still vitally important to the country, that the way in which we were going about achieving those values had atrophied and that we needed to modernize to reform the Democratic Party to be more effective in achieving the values that endure. So I do think there are some similarities and we’ve suffered some political reversals again — losing the presidency, losing the Senate, the House, the majority of governorships, the majority of the state legislatures for, I think, the first time since the Great Depression. And we’re surrounded by some profound change, even revolutionary change in terms of the globalization of the economy, the aging of our population, stresses and strains and families, the post-9/11 situation. So I do think, as Americans first, but also as Democrats, we need to give a lot of thought to how we go about achieving those values, not in the world of the 1930s, 60s or even 90s but in today’s world. So I do think there are some parallels.

Q: What did you do as chairman of the DLC that helped bring the party closer to the mainstream of America?

A: One of the things we did was to try and develop our grass roots, literally to get closer to the people of America. I’m first and foremost a former governor. And because of that, we focused upon more statewide officials, more local officials, trying to be much more aggressive in reaching out across the country geographically and getting out of Washington and really listening and soliciting the advice of people closer to the grass roots.

Senator hails chief reasons for making run

The reason why the front runners for election 08 have not formerly announced their bid for presidency is due to federal election law. One cannot raise money through a leadership political action committee once one declares. So that ends the question of when Bayh or any other potential candidate will declare. They won't declare until after the 06 elections........my guess is in Novemeber or December and maybe even into early 07. Do I think Bayh is going to run? Heck yeah! Enough on that. I thought this was a great Bayh interview in the Indianapolis Star.

By Maureen Groppe
Star Washington Bureau

The presidency

Q: When did you first start thinking about whether running for president was something you wanted to shoot for?

A: Look, I fully expected that (Sen.) John Kerry was going to be elected last November. It was not on my mind. Now it turned out, of course, I was in error -- not the first time, I should say. But I was not seriously thinking about it before then.

To get to the heart of your question . . . the only reason to be in public life is to try and make a difference in people's lives. The applause and all that, that's nice. But after a while, that's not what it's all about. So I am driven to try and be in that place where I can make as big a difference as possible. . . .

Very few people ever get to be president of the United States. It's possible to make a real contribution to our society without being president of the United States -- and to have a happy, fulfilled life. But, you know, if destiny takes you in that direction, then that gives you a wonderful opportunity. . . . So the speculation is something I'm flattered by. But I didn't think until after the election last November that it was very realistic to think about, not in concrete terms.

tag:evan bayh

Coming This Thursday To AFB.com...

In this Thursday's
BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (43.0)...

>BREAKING NEWS:
*** AFB.com rep will go to Wisconsin
NEXT WEEK, and to Iowa in 2006 to
stump for Bayh ***

>Iowa & NH: a concern for Bayh's camp?

>More on thumbs down for Roberts

>240...& growing...

>Face-lift for Bayh website

>Kerry wants ALL Roberts files

>Western Dem Gov...Maybe HE'S the dark
horse

...and more op/ed comment on political news from this coming week.

This Thursday at AFB.com

////////////////////////////////

For All Iowa And NH Democrats

...Or Forget November.
Originally uploaded by BiLL EARL.

Our artists in our AFB.com graphics department read our various websites comments and concerns, too.

Yes, we've read those big concerns, of many here recently, that Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats vote for a Democrat that can beat the Republicans in November 2008, and not just the most liberal who won't.

To address this concern, here is a brand new campaign graphic, from our AFB.com graphics department, that we hope will be reprinted and circulated throughout Iowa and New Hampshire.

The SOONER, the BETTER.

We think this graphic sums it up bluntly, not mincing any words.

Yes, THIS TIME we DO have a Democrat WHO CAN WIN...

...but he needs to be nominated FIRST.

Rove in Perspective

I have to agree with NewDonkey.com that the defense of Karl Rove by the GOP is at best, desperate, and as a matter of course, bizarre. NewDonky hits it on the head on one of the GOPs claims:

It's the second claim that's really mind-blowing: that those bad, partisan Democrats have gone medieval on that poor, respected civil servant Karl Rove.

This is just bizarre. Whatever you think of the man, it's incontrovertible that Rove has devoted his entire political career to a strategy of partisan and ideological polarization. He's also been deeply and consistently implicated in a long series of truly savage "politics of personal destruction" campaign tactics, and has evinced a sort of giggling adolescent pleasure in those dark arts.

The idea of Karl Rove as a victim of partisanship is sort of like the idea of Ken Lay as a victim of corporate malfeasance. He may or may not be guilty of the specific allegations against him in the Plame outing, but give me a break: you have to really go through the looking glass to consider him an innocent lamb among the wolves. Rove is one wolf who dare not don sheep's clothing.

Dean: Reach Out to Pro-Life Voters

Just so we all have an understanding of Democratic thinking coming out of the DNC via Howard Dean comes his remarks to college Democrats:

Dems Urged to Reach Out to Pro-Life Voters
Democrats Need to Reach Out to Voters Who Oppose Abortion Rights, Howard Dean Says
By DEVLIN BARRETT
The Associated Press

Jul. 22, 2005 - Democrats need to reach out to voters who oppose abortion rights and promote candidates who share that view, the head of the party said Friday.

Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told a group of college Democrats that their party has to change its approach in the debate over abortion.

"I think we need to talk about this issue differently," said Dean. "The Republicans have painted us as a pro-abortion party. I don't know anybody in America who is pro-abortion."

Dean's approach echoed similar arguments advanced in recent months by former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

"We do have to have a big tent. I do think we need to welcome pro-life Democrats into this party," said Dean.

Bayh Urges Review of Chinese Unocal Bid

Senator Bayh is seeking information about the Chinese bid for the oil company Unocal where the Chinese company may receive state funding.

Bayh Urges Review of Chinese Bid for Unocal
Senator asks for report from Energy, Homeland Security and Defense Secretaries before review of offer

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh today urged the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to require a report on the implications of Chinese state-owned CNOOC's bid to acquire Unocal, a domestic oil producer. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member, Senators Domenici (R-NM) and Bingaman (D-NM), Bayh emphasized that the potential transaction could have serious consequences for our national security and energy needs that demanded input from the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security and Defense.

"We need to make sure that any foreign purchase of a U.S. company does not threaten our national security or limit much-needed natural resources," Senator Bayh said. "It would be imprudent to act too quickly without all the needed information on these issues. Before the Administration even begins a review of CNOOC's bid, we should hear from our defense and energy leaders to discover any immediate concerns first."

A report on the possible implications of a CNOOC-Unocal deal would be a valuable source of information for those officials who bear responsibility for approving or rejecting the transaction. The report was originally proposed by Senators Burns (R-MT), Dorgan (D-ND), Martinez (R-FL), Landrieu (D-LA), and Graham (R-SC).

In the letter, Bayh also stressed that he was troubled by reports that CNOOC was receiving subsidized financing from the Chinese government. A long-time supporter of fair trade, Bayh has been outspoken against China's unfair trade practices, including illegal subsidies which give Chinese companies an artificial advantage over American companies. If media reports are accurate that the Chinese government is subsidizing CNOOC's bid, this is just the latest example of China seeking an unfair advantage for its businesses.

Tag:
evan bayh

MTBE Study Results Sought

It's amazing that a goasoline octane-booster, MTBE, may be a carcinogen and there's an effort to block litigation where people claim MTBE contamination has had an effect on their lives and on the environment. Sounds like an oil industry bill to me. Here's part of the release from the Senaotr's office:

Bayh Urges Full Disclosure on Study Potentially Linking MTBE to Cancer
Senator says dangers of MTBE contamination must be known as conference committee debates liability waiver

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to notify Congress immediately on the status of an internal review that may link MTBE to cancer. The study's findings are especially important given the current debate over whether or not to include a House provision in the final version of the Energy bill that would prevent states from holding MTBE companies responsible for leaks that contaminated their water supplies. Bayh cited concern over the Indiana communities that have been impacted by MTBE contamination when he voted against the 2003 Energy bill.

"Communities across America are already facing millions of dollars in clean-up costs through no fault of their own because of MTBE contamination,"Senator Bayh said. "Now a study from the EPA suggests that MTBE is a likely carcinogen. It would be incredibly reckless to let MTBE companies off the hook before we determine the full danger posed by their product."

In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Bayh and 20 additional senators from both sides of the aisle argued that the EPA should alert Congress to its expected findings for consideration in the ongoing debate over the MTBE liability waiver. The waiver contained in the House version of the Energy bill would cancel more than 150 lawsuits already filed against MTBE companies, including five in Indiana, and prevent any community contaminated with MTBE from seeking funds to clean its water supply in the future. This kind of blanket protection would also have serious consequences for people seeking help with medical bills should MTBE turn out to be a carcinogen.

Bayh Ammendment on Armored Humvees Passes

Looks that Senator Bayh's hard work on behalf of our hard working troops in Iraq is moving forward. There's a release from Senator Bayh's office that the ammendment for armoring more Humvees that Senaotr Bayh co-sponsored has been passed.

Senate Passes Amendment to Meet Latest Up-Armored Humvee Needs
Bayh says continued failure to provide life-saving armored vehicles is a disservice to U.S. troops

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh today applauded Senate passage of an amendment he co-sponsored to provide 1,826 up-armored Humvees for the U.S. Marines, who are expected to triple the number of armored vehicles they need in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new requirement, which was revealed yesterday, increases the required number of up-armored Humvees from 498 to 1,826, the latest in a series of dramatic increases since the start of the Iraq War. The amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill passed the Senate unanimously this afternoon.

"This amendment will provide our troops with the up-armored Humvees they need and make sure that the Pentagon lives up to its pledge that all Humvees in Iraq will be fully armored," Senator Bayh said. "After everything we have learned in the past two years about the importance of armored Humvees, it is mind-boggling that the Pentagon would consider sending any Humvees to Iraq without the maximum level of protection. For too long, the Pentagon has dragged its feet and underestimated critical equipment needs - our troops should not have to pay the price for the Pentagon's mistakes."

In addition to securing up-armored Humvees for the Marines, today's amendment includes funding to ensure that all Army Humvees going to Iraq in fiscal year 2006 (FY2006) are fully armored. Despite assurances from Administration officials that all Humvees in Iraq would be fully armored, the Army was planning to send 4,037 Humvees to Iraq in FY2006 without the maximum level of armor. The amendment will provide $105 million to purchase the armor kits that are needed to provide maximum security for the troops traveling in these Humvees.

Bayh has been a vocal critic of the Pentagon's failure to accurately estimate the number of vehicles needed to keep troops safe in Iraq. Since May of 2003, the Army's requirements for additional up-armored Humvees has grown from only 235 vehicles to more than 10,000 today. Senator Bayh has consistently led the way to provide funding for more up-armored Humvees for our troops, securing roughly $3 billion to produce almost 30,000 standard and up-armored Humvees for all of the Armed Services over the past five years. Most recently, Bayh introduced an amendment to the Iraq Supplemental that provided an additional $150 million for up-armored Humvees.

Another Blogger for Bayh

Maybe we should start a Bloggers for Bayh website where various bloggers can gather and express their support of Bayh. Here's part of Scott Dubovsky's entry on why he likes Evan Bayh:

Occasionaly I catch possible canidates for 08 on CSPAN's road to the White House. Last night I watched Sen Evan Bayh talking to a group in New Hampshire. While in the last election I was a supporter of Sen John Edwards and expect him to run in 08 I am starting to beleive Evan Bayh may be a better choice to take back the White House. Some background on Bayh, two term govenor of Indiana, and two term Senator from a "red" state. He also is less into the Bush/republican bashing then others in the Democrat party and is more of a centrist than Kerry or Edwards. Besides how can you not like the father of faternal twin boys and grandson of two teachers.

Ball State Student Supports Bayh

Here's some support for Evan Bayh from a Ball Stae University student in Indiana.

State Sen. Evan Bayh is my pick for president in 2008. He was a two-term Governor of Indiana, and is now a second-term Democratic senator from one of the reddest states in the nation. He has the charismatic charm and likability that made Clinton the most popular Democrat since John F. Kennedy. Bayh has not said yes to a presidential run, but he hasn't said no either, and he recently made a trip to New Hampshire, one of the key states when talking about the primaries. His charm, centrist points of view and knowledge of foreign affairs -- as the current ranking member on the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance and as a member of the Armed Forces committee and Select committee on Intelligence -- make him a prime candidate for president.

Chinese Blink Under Pressure from Bayh and Others

Before the recent developments in the latest London attacks, the big story of the day was China's decision to loosen the pegging of the value of their currency, the yuan, to the dollar. This appears to be a direct result of concerns and legislation aimed towards leveling the playing field with the Chinese as Bloomberg notes.

Permitting the yuan to trade more freely would also answer criticism from the Bush administration and some members of the U.S. Congress that blame China's currency policy for a record trade deficit and the loss of 2.8 million manufacturing jobs.

The Treasury Department's twice-yearly review of exchange rate policies said last month that China needs to make the yuan more flexible or risk being branded a currency manipulator.

``China is now ready and should move without delay in a manner and magnitude that is sufficiently reflective of underlying market conditions,'' Snow told the Senate Finance Committee in Washington on June 23. ``Implementation of trade sanctions would lead to retaliatory policies against our exports, damaging the U.S. and global economy.''

The U.S. trade gap with China rose to a record $162 billion last year and the National Association of Manufacturers, a lobby group, expects it to grow to $225 billion this year.

Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh and Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins presented legislation on June 23 that would let companies petition for duties on Chinese goods to compensate for government subsidies. The bill is one of more than a half- dozen in Congress that address what some lawmakers call China's unfair trade practices.

Indiana Republicans Threaten Bayh

Mind you that before there have been any deep examination of John Roberts and his fitnees to be a Supreme Court justice, Indiana Republicans are already threatening Senator Bayh on his vote. This is typical of the GOP junta in this state where they cry wolf a lot. Shame that they can't even let the process go forward without their thuggish tactics popping up already.

In the meantime, the Indiana Republican State Committee is making clear it will be watching U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and how he votes on fellow Hoosier Roberts.

State GOP officials wonder if Bayh will use the opportunity to bash Roberts for political gain in the Democratic presidential primaries of 2008.

“I think it will be very interesting,” said Luke Messer, executive director for the Indiana GOP. “He’s someone who’s trying to kick-start a presidential campaign. ... Does he stand with the Ted Kennedys of his party?”

Bayh’s press secretary said Roberts must be questioned.

“Sen. Bayh is focused on doing what’s best for Indiana,” said Bayh spokeswoman Meghan Keck. “A rush to judgment on an appointment of this magnitude would be a disservice.”

Roberts Gave Money to Bayh Opponent

Well, as far as I'm concerned, we now have, just out of our own personal interests and support for Evan Bayh, good reason to oppose Roberts. While it seems he donated to Republicans exclusively, he did, as records show, give money to Peter Rusthoven who was aiming to defeat Evan Bayh in 1998. Boo! Hiss!

In recent election years, Roberts has contributed more than $3,700 to Republican candidates, including $1,000 to George W. Bush’s successful bid for the presidency in 2000.

Roberts, who grew up in Indiana, gave $500 to the 2000 re-election bid of Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, according to campaign contribution reports.

He also contributed $1,235 to the 1998 campaign of Republican Peter Fitzgerald, who defeated Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, a Democrat. Roberts gave $250 to Peter Rusthoven, who failed to gain the GOP nomination against Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, in 1998.

Nothing But Heartaches If Roberts Becomes A Supreme

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN
Originally uploaded by BiLL EARL.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (42.0)

Hopkins was robbed last Saturday night. Well, that's boxing. HBO will show it free this Saturday after 10pm...see 4 yourself..

Over the past week:

>Senator Mikulski of Maryland is ill...get well..would a Bayh/Mikulski ticket work? Don't think so.

>Bayh won the hottest U.S. Senator contest...too bad national media didn't pick up the story..

>I saw U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu on FOX last Sunday... I still think she'd be a good Veep for EB..

>How about Dean in Montana? Like his toned down style? I did. I think if he continues to stress lunch pail issues, we'll win in 06 AND 08..

>Governor conf this past week...Vilsack, Richardson, Warner were there, BUT where was Easley..does that mean Easley is OUT of the running for President in 2008?

NY Repub Gov Pataki was there...I don't like him as he whupped Mario Cuomo..but he apparently wants to move from Gov to WH in 08, he may feel he can't beat Hillary or Schumer for a U.S. Senate seat..

Now on to the two big issues for this week's column...

first up, the C-SPAN 60-minute video of Bayh in NH..I thought he was AWESOME!

I saw the columnist, Matt Tulley, right behind Bayh. he looked like Opie's follically challenged brother..but he and I did NOT interpret Bayh in NH the same way..I watched the show w/ Rosemary (my wife)...Bayh was SUPERB!

My God, look at his waistline..he can't be more than 30-32"...lean and trim for a guy 49..well, I USED to be like that in the '70s, but only wishful thinking these days. Bayh talked about fighting obesity. Hey, he's the man to do that! If we could only look THAT trim.

I liked the elderly Jewish woman, Maude Gruber best. She talked to Bayh with the gloves OFF. I agreed with her TOTALLY when she confronted Bayh about the fear of Diebold voting machines WITHOUT an ATM-style receipt NOT giving voters confidence against fraud..Bayh DID SAY he TOO wanted a paper receipt.

IF we use Diebold machines we HAVE TO HAVE A RECEIPT and paper back-up.

Bayh really was impressive..he spoke with NO NOTES OR SCRIPT..very extempt-style...I disagree with Matt Tulley..Bayh DID speak very plainly..I didn't hear a whole bunch of "senatorese"...

I liked it when Bayh said that emergency rooms should NOT be the first provider for Americans, and his comment "We'll keep knocking on that door until someone answers.."

Bayh said he likes the idea of "birth to 18" health care for all Americans in that bracket.. GOOD FOR HIM!..that's a step in the right direction...I liked seeing Kennedy campaign posters in the NH hdq's..both JFK and RFK...Evan Bayh seemed very Kennedyesque to me...

Also there on that video, our own EB08's Kat Sullivan's husband, Peter Sullivan, a NH state rep running for U.S. Congress... Handsome guy, my wife said..to me he looked like a football defensive tackle from the Oakland Raiders..big guy..the kind of guy you DON'T want to get MAD...wide berth for him...Kat is a lucky lady getting to chat with EB as she did on Peter's cell..

My only critique on Bayh in NH..he needs to give SHORTER answers and more sound bite-style answers...

Evan Bayh looked extremely handsome and didn't miss a beat..WHO ELSE do we have on our bench that we can say that about?

Next item on this weeks column...

Cheney/Bush Jr. picked John Roberts to fill Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on our U.S. Supreme Court. Was anyone OFFENDED by the graphic that I ran on our 2 Yahoo! sites? I'm personally offended by the nomination of Roberts. He's NOT the right man for that vacancy. Day O'Connor was the first WOMAN on the Supreme Court. Replacing her with a WHITE MALE is NOT the right thing to do. There are moderate women and minorities that Cheney/Bush Jr. COULD have picked..choosing Roberts is NOT the proper decision...Roberts even upheld the conviction of a young woman who ate ONE french fry on a commuter train..

Roberts also wants to see Roe v. Wade overturned.
He actually argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to s***can it.

Roberts is OUT OF TOUCH with mainstream America. I think that Roberts WILL be approved, but I personally remember our U.S. Senate rejecting both Haynsworth and Carswell in 1970, and Bork in 1987.

Tricky Dick tried to ram those poor choices down our throats and our U.S. Senate said "No."

I urge our Senate to do it again. Roberts, at age 50, could serve for 25-35 more years...that is the big scare..he is very out of touch with real people America..he is a DANGEROUS choice and I urge both Senator Bayh, and my OWN two U.S. Senators here in CA to REJECT Roberts and vote "No" on his confirmation. I think my own U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer WILL vote "no"...Dianne Feinstein probably will vote "yes."

Roberts probably WILL be confirmed, but in THIS contributing columnist's opinion, Roberts is out of touch with regular Americans, he probably WILL vote to overthrow Roe v. Wade, which would be a scary return for back alley's, coat hanger abortions, and is a BAD CHOICE, in my opinion, to fill Day O'Connor's seat.

What will Bayh do? I hope he has the cajones to vote "No."

Last item...

on our EBo8 Yahoo! national group we are up to 239 members!!! I hope we make 250 by Labor Day.

About the Wesley Clark supporters that have infiltrated our group...Clark had his shot in 04..he BOMBED out. He didn't even stand up to Michael Moore. To those Clark posters: wake up..smell the coffee..Clark cannot WIN in 08..Evan Bayh CAN!

I still get e-mailers who tell me that I'm not in sync with the others here at AFB.com.

Hello?

Don't you GET my position? I want a DEMOCRAT as President in 2008. Evan Bayh is OUR BEST SHOT. We either nominate Evan Bayh in 2008 or forget November.

That simple.

////////////////////////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN is a periodic, currently weekly...every Thursday...feature of AFB.com. Not only is Bill a contributing columnist here at AFB.com, but also is EB08 Senior Moderator at the national Bayh Yahoo! group, and CFB moderator from Rosemead in the CA Bayh Yahoo! group, both part of the National Bayh! Network...NB!N)

Blogger: Bayh "Genuinely Genuine"

This from Bullworth who watched CSPANs coverage of Senator Bayh in New Hampshire:

I liked him. He comes across well. He sounds and seems reasonable, measured and most important of all, genuinely genuine. Comfortable in his own skin. All that crap.

In my view, he stacks up rather well against the rest of the Democratic field. Of the other major contenders, his candidacy seems the less problematic. He doesn't have the baggage of HRC or Kerry. He doesn't have Richardson's DOE tenure to defend and wouldn't have to overcome any latent ethnic prejudices. He doesn't have Feingold's two divorces to justify. He doesn't have Joe Biden's plagiarism reputation. He's more experienced than Edwards. Although not charismatic in the usual sense, he's well spoken and authentic. He represents an important red state that were he to get the nomination he could conceivable win or at least make competitive.

And oddly enough, despite my previous post and usual ruminations about temperement and ideology, I like his demeanor and approach. I don't think Kerry campaigned as poorly as some on both the left and the right have made it seem, but the last election left a bad taste in my mouth. Bayh would in some ways represent the most marked departure from past campaigns and candidates. He's a fresh face that would help the party chart a new course.

Finally, he presents a measured and reassuring intelligent but non-partisan style that could be useful in a general election campaign and most importantly, in the presidency itself.

Senator Bayh Reaching Out to Iowa--Roll Call

Here's an excerpt from an article in Roll Call about Senator Bayh's maneuverings in Iowa.

Bayh Upping Iowa Outreach
July 21, 2005
By Chris Cillizza,
Roll Call Staff

A key adviser to Sen. Evan Bayh has huddled recently with several top Democratic operatives familiar with Iowa politics to discuss the dynamics of that state’s presidential caucuses, the latest sign that the Indiana Senator is an all-but-announced 2008 candidate.

Linda Moore Forbes, Bayh’s deputy chief of staff, has also met briefly with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) to gauge his commitment to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) for 2008 as well as to pick his brain about recruiting Members to back a presidential effort, according to informed sources.

“It’s never too early to lay groundwork, as grotesque as that may sound,” Democratic consultant Jim Jordan said of the moves. “It’s no coincidence that the three Democrats who were most successful in ’04 — [Massachusetts Sen. John] Kerry, [former Vermont Gov. Howard] Dean and [former North Carolina Sen. John] Edwards — were the three who started the earliest and worked the hardest.”

Forbes may have learned that lesson during the last campaign, when she served as political director for Edwards’ vice presidential effort. She also served in that capacity during the Clinton administration.

The increased level of behind-the-scenes activity by the Bayh team coincides with an accelerated level of public visibility by the Indiana Senator in Iowa and New Hampshire — the two states all but certain to be at the top of the order in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Bayh will visit Iowa from Aug. 2 to 4; among the events on the schedule is an Aug. 2 fundraiser for 3rd district Rep. Leonard Boswell (D), one of the power brokers in the caucuses, although he chose to remain neutral in 2004. The gathering, which is being held at the Trattoria restaurant in Des Moines, is being hosted by Tom Henderson, chairman of the Polk County Democratic Party.

In June, Bayh addressed the Greater Des Moines Partnership during the group’s visit to Washington, D.C. Another Bayh trip to Iowa in the fall remains a real possibility, according to those familiar with the Senator’s schedule.

Bayh's Chinese Currency Stance Noted

Senator Bayh's stance on the Chinese manipulation of their currency is noticed in the state of Washington:

"China is trying to push their way into the U.S. economy. They've got $600 billion of spare cash lying around. They completely rig their currency," said Richard D'Amato, chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan panel appointed by members of Congress to study trade with China. said.

D'Amato was referring to the yuan, which is pegged to the dollar and not traded freely on international currency markets. Many politicians are critical of this, including Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who has co-sponsored legislation that would put a 27 percent tariff on Chinese goods to counterbalance China's currency policy. He said in a speech two weeks ago in California that China is cheating by controlling the value of the yuan.

Blogger Thinks Bayh's a Patsy

In light of the previous post there's this tidbit from a blogger that, for what it's worth, thinks that Bayh will simply vote for Roberts since he's a Hoosier. Well, Roberts may be from Indiana but he lives in New York and his career has been in D.C. and on the east coast. I think it's very premature to make this kind of statement and is in a sense a little prejudiced against what Hoosiers are really like. While Dan Burton is a Hoosier, I don't see Senator Bayh rolling over and supporting his agendas just because he's a Hoosier (and shoots watermelons in his spare time--bad melon!!).

John McIntyre of Real Clear Politics (which has lots of links up) on Hugh Hewitt's show just said that this was the most conservative pick that Bush could have made and not triggered a full scale war.

Hugh points out that Roberts is from Indiana which probably means that he'll gain Evan Bayh's support.

Bayh's Response to Roberts Nomination

This is right on as far as I'm concerned. I like the expression of the importance of this nomination by Senator Bayh.

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., reacted with a statement saying: “Any comment at this time would be premature. This is an appointment of tremendous magnitude and we need to take our time to make sure we get it right.”

Flashback: Evan Bayh on SCOTUS Nominees

While it's too early to tell how this Roberts thing is going to shake out, it behhoves us to remember what Senator Bayh said on Justice O'Connor's retirement on July 1st:

Statement from Senator Bayh on Retirement of Justice O'Connor

Washington, DC --"Justice O'Connor's retirement presents the president with an opportunity to break away from the partisan fights that have plagued Washington and produce a nominee with true consensus support. We should strive for more than the bare minimum needed to nominate someone to a lifetime appointment. The responsibilities required of the Supreme Court and the American people deserve nothing less."

One would suppose the real question here is whether Roberts meets these excellent guidelines that Senator Bayh has expressed. I don't have the slightest clue but prima facie, it's a dicey proposition. Please post your thoughts or concerns. It'd be nice to hear from others.

AP: John Roberts on the Issues

I'm sure more about Roberts will come out over the long haul. For the time being, it doesn't look like a real good development but it's another move that strikes of political opportunism as the Bushies want desperately to get Karl Rove and the whole CIA fiasco off the front pages. While this may be a distraction, it's up to all of us in bloggerville to keep up the good fight on all fronts. I'll repeat what I saw on another blog: Fitgerald (CIA special prosecutor) couldn't care less who Bush nominates. Meanwhile, here's a little bit about Roberts from the AP:

John Roberts on the Issues
Some of John Roberts' stands on issues that come before the Supreme Court:

ABORTION: As a lawyer in the administration of President Bush's father, he helped write a Supreme Court brief that said, "We continue to believe that Roe (v. Wade) was wrongly decided and should be overruled."

RELIGION: Roberts unsuccessfully urged the Supreme Court to rule that public schools could sponsor prayer at graduation ceremonies. "We do not believe ... that graduation ceremonies pose a risk of coercion," said the brief Roberts helped to write on behalf of the first Bush administration.

ENVIRONMENT: As a judge, he was sympathetic to arguments that wildlife regulations were unconstitutional as applied to a California construction project. The government feared the project would hurt arroyo toads.

CRIMINAL MATTERS: His votes on the bench have been mixed. He ruled in favor of a man who challenged his sentence for fraud, then said police did not violate the constitutional rights of a 12-year-old girl who was arrested, handcuffed and detained for eating a single french fry inside a train station in Washington.

POLICE SEARCHES: Joined an appeals court ruling in 2004 that upheld police trunk searches, even if officers do not say they are looking for evidence of a crime.

MILITARY TRIBUNALS: Roberts was part of a unanimous decision last week that allowed the Pentagon to proceed with plans to use military tribunals to try terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay.

Bush Picks John C. Roberts??

This Just In:

Bush Nominates Federal Judge Roberts
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

President Bush chose federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr. on Tuesday as his first nominee for the Supreme Court, selecting a rock solid conservative whose nomination could trigger a tumultuous battle over the direction of the nation's highest court, senior administration officials said.

Bush offered the position to Roberts in a telephone call at 12:35 p.m. after a luncheon with the visiting prime minister of Australia, John Howard. He was to announce it later with a flourish in a nationally broadcast speech to the nation.

Roberts has been on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since June 2003 after being picked for that seat by Bush.

Advocacy groups on the right say that Roberts, a 50-year-old native of Buffalo, N.Y., who attended Harvard Law School, is a bright judge with strong conservative credentials he burnished in the administrations of former Presidents Bush and Reagan. While he has been a federal judge for just a little more than two years, legal experts say that whatever experience he lacks on the bench is offset by his many years arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

Liberal groups, however, say Roberts has taken positions in cases involving free speech and religious liberty that endanger those rights. Abortion rights groups allege that Roberts is hostile to women's reproductive freedom and cite a brief he co-wrote in 1990 that suggested the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 high court decision that legalized abortion.

"The court's conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental right to an abortion ... finds no support in the text, structure or history of the Constitution," the brief said.

Right-wing Extremists Freaking Out?

If this turns out to be true and Bush picks Judge Edith Clement of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans as a his nomination for the Supreme Court there will be a vicious backlash from the GOP right-wing anti-choice base. Just check out this and you'll see why:

Known as a conservative and a strict constructionist in legal circles, Clement also has eased fears among abortion-rights advocates. She has stated that the Supreme Court "has clearly held that the right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution includes the right to have an abortion" and that "the law is settled in that regard."

Progress on the Economy

After we've all been encouraged by the wonderful news on the progress in Iraq we come back stateside and think that things definitely must be better here. Then comes this news reminding us where we really are.

Hewlett-Packard to Cut 14,500 Jobs
By MATTHEW FORDAHL, AP Technology Writer

Computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. said Tuesday it will cut 14,500 jobs and overhaul its retirement program in a restructuring plan designed to save $1.9 billion annually and bring costs closer to those of competitors.

The cuts — about 10 percent of its global work force of 150,000 — will occur over the next six quarters. Most will affect support jobs such as information technology, human resources and finance...

The company also said that beginning in January, it will freeze the pension and retiree medical-program benefits of current employees who do not meet defined criteria based on age and years of company service. Instead, HP plans to boost its matching contribution to most employees' 401(k) plans to 6 percent from 4 percent.

Progress in Iraq

Before we all get sidetracked away from the war in Iraq and Rovegate by a Supreme Court nomination, let's look at today's headline that shows just how much progress we're making.

Sunnis on Iraq's constitution committee shot dead
By Peter Graff

Gunmen shot dead three Sunni Arab members of the team drafting Iraq's new constitution on Tuesday, striking a blow against the body seen as the best hope for providing a political end to the insurgency.

Drawing Sunni Arabs on to the committee, due to deliver a new constitution by Aug 15, was the cornerstone of the U.S.-backed strategy of persuading members of the restive minority to move off the streets and into peaceful politics.

Sheikh Mujbil al-Sheikh Isa, Aziz Ibrahim and Dhamin Hussein Ileywi were shot as they left a restaurant in Baghdad's central Karrada district, a police source said.

A Reuters television cameraman at the city's St Raphael's Hospital saw three bodies being pulled from a dark blue car that had been sprayed with bullets. Their wounded driver was loaded into the back of a truck.

"We send our condolences to their families and to all the people of Iraq," parliament head Hajem al-Hassani said when told of the killings by reporters. "Those who carried these crimes out want to spread sectarian divisions."

The three men represented a Sunni umbrella group called the Iraqi National Dialogue.

Vote for Bayh!

Daily Kos has a poll up for which presidential candidate you are supporting for 2008. I'm sure this will be one of the many opportunities we will have to vote for Bayh. Follow the link HERE

Run, Evan, Run!!!

Here's a passage from an Op-Ed piece that appeared in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star that nicely summarizes why we need Evan Bayh as a presidential candidate. While most of us are familiar with these arguments, it's always important to see how Senator Bayh is being covered by various news outlets. The author of this is Pete Chalos.

America is in search of a man with integrity and strong convictions who works well under pressure and works well with others. We are searching for someone who will unite us as a nation rather than polarizing us and dividing us. We are searching for someone who truly has the interests of the common man at heart.

Evan Bayh served as governor of Indiana for two terms. He currently is a U.S. senator. Evan has a great deal of experience from which to draw. He knows how to manage a state budget and leave a sizable surplus for incoming administrations. He knows how to pursue economic development and jobs for his constituency. As governor of Indiana, he helped create 350,000 new jobs. According to his Web page, he is currently serving on six Senate committees: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, on which he is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance; Armed Services; the Select Committee on Intelligence; the Special Committee on Aging; and the Small Business Committee.

Indiana is the third-most-industrial state in the union as well as a leader in agriculture. In the largely Republican state, this Democrat leader has learned to work across party lines to get things done. Evan Bayh appeals to both Democrats and Republicans because he is fiscally conservative while at the same time socially compassionate.

I have complete confidence in his ability to take the helm and steer us safely out of these troubled waters to calmer seas. As someone who is concerned about this great nation and concerned about the world his children and grandchildren are growing up in, I want to encourage Sen. Evan Bayh, who has the necessary skills and character to do the job well, to throw his hat in the ring and run for president of the United States. Do it now!

C-SPAN Link: Bayh in New Hampshire

For those of you who may not have had the opportunity to watch C-SPAN's coverage of Senator Evan Bayh's visit to New Hampshire we have the link HERE.

Senator Bayh In New Hampshire

Video Link:WMUR TV

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh told New Hampshire voters they may see more of him as the 2008 presidential primary approaches.

No "Fear Factor" For Bayh In NH

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN
Originally uploaded by BiLL EARL.

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN (41.0)

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe it is best that it IS sooner. I'm talking about the recent message board comments and, especially, the Matt Tully article that all seem to see chinks in Evan Bayh's armor. More on that later in this week's op/ed column.

Quick notes:

> Rove should be criminally prosecuted, and Santorum needs to apologize to MA. > Did you see the political cartoon that jbarqeusa sent us?
Notice the Dudley Do Right-style chin on Bayh?
Bayh's "Dudley-esque" chin MIGHT be his trademark for editorial cartoonists in the years ahead. You saw that comparison here first!

I want to start out by saying a warm "Welcome back!" to Katya Sullivan. Katya resigned from both the EB08 national Yahoo! group, and her Moderator seat last month on June 7th, but as of July 12, Katya is once again BOTH an EB08 Moderator and group member. We should feel especially good about that because Katya is the wife of a prominent NH state rep, and appears to be "the wife" that Evan Bayh had the nationally reported phone chat with while in NH. We thank Katya for telling us in recent EB08 message posts just what was said in that phone call. My only comment is just HOW did they turn down the Sullivans for a place at that state senator's event? I mean Peter Sullivan is NOT just SOME GUY. He's a state rep in NH running for CONGRESS. If they didn't know just WHO he IS, I hope by now they do. Peter and Katya deserve better. Now if only Chris Smith can get my wife and I into a CA Bayh event, then I'll be as happy a camper as I can to represent AFB.com at a CA event with the Senator.

Word on the street tells me Katya has one strong pet peeve:
> No board hogs on the EB08 national Yahoo! group.
I've personally asked all members to limit posts to 3-4 per week (Sunday thru Saturday). This column makes 3 for me until Sunday. Let's keep Katya happy. I sure will. :)

With Katya back as an EB08 Moderator, it makes our national Moderator force the biggest in our small (since last November) history, with SIX Moderators: four males, and two females. Daniel Solzman continues to be our "lead" Moderator, me as our most liberal and the "senior" one due to plain old seniority, Art Bottorff, our editor and webmaster at AFB.com, "The" Max Burns of the "New Democrat" blogsite, and Kristen Brown, webmistress of Evan2008.com (which carries this column, by the way.)

Didja notice that Gayla's name has been removed from our "contributor" list at AFB.com? Let's hope Gayla, like Katya, comes back home here before the primaries, as her personal story about her meeting Evan Bayh is an archive keeper.

Main issue of this week's column. Is Evan Bayh a "plastic man" who never has faced strong opposition in Indiana, and is coming off as "plastic" in NH, according to the infamous Matt Tully's article in the Indy Star?

I haven't seen the C-SPAN "Road To The White House" video of Evan Bayh's two days in NH earlier this week (last Sunday and Monday), so until then I'll go by other's comments and what I know about Evan Bayh in general.

> To THIS contributing columnist, EVAN BAYH IS REAL TO THE BONE.

What those NH folks saw last weekend was probably as REAL a leader as they come. The only critique that I have on Senator Bayh is that he probably needs to talk in a more sound bite-style, and not get into "senator speak", which doomed Kerry in 04. If Bayh didn't seem as glib as Howard Dean or Joe Biden that means that he probably was THINKING first about his answers, rather than a quick sound bite or quip. Nothing wrong with that. Evan's restraint, to me, is a virtue.

I don't think that Evan has to scratch his crotch, smoke cigars, wink at blue humor, or talk in clever quips to impress New Hampshire voters. I hope they see as I do, a thoughtful man who will take his job as U.S. President seriously, and not flippantly.

So what if a bug crawled up his face while on camera? "BFD", as us surfers used to say here in CA. Would the reporter have liked him better had he brushed the insect off? (One e-mail to me yesterday said that perhaps Bayh was showing he was "Fear Factor"-style tough. Hmmmmm.)

It's good that the Matt Tully article came out when it did because it shows perhaps what the Republicans will attempt to do to Evan. Call him "plastic man." Call him too rehearsed. Trouble is, Bayh is NONE of those things. They know it. They are just scared. And they should be. Because Bayh WILL win.

Evan Bayh is probably the most "best able to govern" of any of the 2008 field, Repubs or Dems. If they can't slam his impeccable record they'll try to stick names on him that I don't think WILL STICK. What I do hope to hear is not what an Indiana journalist (more op/ed, to me) had to say, but what NH Dems have to say about THEIR first impression of Evan Bayh. Did THEY see him as a "plastic man"? Or did they see him as a UNITER, a man who knows how to work with both sides of the aisle for the greater good and to get things done?

Katya Sullivan's hubby was right there at the media event with Senator Bayh. So was EB08 group member Frank (aka Mr. Bowe). THEIR "pulse" on Bayh is what will really count. I'm hoping that C-SPAN will show the Bayh visit this coming weekend, so I can make some comment on it in next week's column (42.0)

Until then, we need to realize that the gloves are coming off, and that now that Evan Bayh is going into NH "exploring" his possibilities for a presidential run, he and us need to realize that Repubs and reporters like Matt Tully are going to try to find any flaws in our candidate, even if it appears to be "reaching." If they can't get him on substance, but instead talk about bugs crawling on his head, well, we're not going to let that stuff faze us. Evan Bayh is the BEST on our bench, in terms of image AND substance.

I'm curious to know how NH folks who were there thought of Evan Bayh. And I feel confident that when Evan Bayh visits NH again, we may be hearing more shorter sound bite answers and less "senatorese." Give the guy a break. He's warming up. He reads the papers. He'll see what he has to do. He doesn't have to look far because his dad was the old master at being "folksy." I was 25-yrs-old in 1976, and remember very clearly that the deciding reason Jimmy Carter did as well as he did, and Birch Bayh only getting "the bronze" in NH, is because the moderate-to-liberal vote was split too many ways with too many moderate-to-liberal Dems in the race, allowing a conservative Southern governor like Jimmy Carter to slip on through. If Birch didn't have to compete with the crowded field of potential presidents, Fred Harris, Lloyd Bentsen, Frank Church, Jerry Brown, Henry Jackson, Milton Shapp, Sargent Shriver, Morris Udall, and Adlai Stevenson III, in 1976, Birch Bayh would have done better that year. Read Jules Witcover's "Marathon," which is the "bible" of the 1976 election. Definitive.

Other items this week. An interesting article hit AOL saying that Iowa is just not a good place for female candidates to find "wins" in. Does this mean that Hillary might have trouble in Iowa? I think so, but not because she is female. Too many either like her or hate her. No undecideds.

Outgoing Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack has to either "s***, or get off the pot." Either he will run in 2008 for President or NOT. He needs to let our party know. If he runs, Iowa won't count in 2008. Just like Tom Harkin in 1992. If he's in, other Dems STAY OUT of Iowa, let Vilsack be the "favorite son" in the caucuses. But if Vilsack wants to stay out, then let us know ASAP. Don't be a spoiler, Tom. Us Dems won't forget.

Kudos to our EB08 national Yahoo! group with now up to 237 members last time I checked today. The numbers are rising! Bayh is catching on as he should be. I like it that Bayh is shoring up his "liberal" credentials with the high marks from the ecology bloc at the Sierra Club. If the Sierra Club likes Bayh, then other liberals will see what I have known for years...Evan Bayh will NOT disappoint liberals.

One last item: Boxing fans...Prediction: Hopkins wins in SPLIT decision over Jermain Taylor Saturday night on HBO. My call.

////////////////////////////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN is a periodic, currently weekly... every Thursday... feature of AFB.com. Not only is Bill a contributing columnist here, but also is EB08 Senior Moderator at the national Bayh Yahoo! group, and CFB Moderator from Rosemead in the CA Bayh Yahoo! group, both part of the National Bayh! Network...NB!N)

New Page Design

Some of you may be confused right now and wander if you've found the right web sight, Blogging for Bayh. I just wanted to assure everyone that yes indeed this is Blogging for Bayh but the changes were made to make the page a little more colorful and interesting with some more pictures of Senator Bayh. Please feel free to submit your likes, dislikes, and what you may want to see on the site. We are definitely open to any and all suggestions.

lobe

Poll: Bush Honesty Assessment at All Time Low

Two things about these results is:

1.) These ratings were after the London bombing and Bush didn't get a bounce
2.) These ratings are before the Rove scandal broke

Once again, this gives Democrats heart that the GOP is the party of dishonesty and corruption and changes are needed in Congress and elsewhere so there can be some balance.

Only 41 percent give Bush good marks for being “honest and straightforward” — his lowest ranking on this question since he became president. That’s a drop of nine percentage points since January, when a majority (50 percent to 36 percent) indicated that he was honest and straightforward. This finding comes at a time when the Bush administration is battling the perception that its rhetoric doesn’t match the realities in Iraq, and also allegations that chief political adviser Karl Rove leaked sensitive information about a CIA agent to a reporter. (The survey, however, was taken just before these allegations about Rove exploded into the current controversy.)

“It’s a bad period for the president,” said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted the survey with Republican Bill McInturff. Hart attributes Bush’s problems to “one part the economy, two parts Iraq, and one part everything else.” In fact, he is somewhat surprised that Bush’s ratings didn’t increase slightly after the London attacks. “I am sort of surprised we don’t see more a skew toward rallying around anti-terrorism.”

Bayh's Energy Plan Noted

Maureen Groppe of the Indianapolis Star continues her excellent coverage of Senator Bayh in general and his visit to New Hampshire in particular. While we just mentioned the Senaotr's meeting with environmentalists and their approval, it looks like his strong stand on energy issues also turned a few heads:

Sen. Evan Bayh wrapped up a two-day visit to New Hampshire on Monday by touring a plant that exports solar panel technology, giving him a chance to talk about two of his favorite themes: energy independence and trade.

"What we're doing here is, I hope, a glimpse into the future of our economy, of energy independence, of being more competitive in terms of global trade," Bayh said after watching employees work on a high-pressure furnace that will be sold to the Chinese to melt silicone to make solar panels.

Bayh, D-Ind., has been emphasizing energy independence and trade globalization not only in New Hampshire -- home of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary -- but also in speeches he has been giving across the country this year as he explores whether to seek the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2008.

Bayh frequently tells audiences that one mistake President Bush made after Sept. 11, 2001, was not calling for a declaration of energy independence, a remark that pleased some of the Democrats who came out to meet Bayh in Keene on Sunday

Sierra Club: Bayh "Gets It"

Bayh "gets it" when it comes to the environment according the the Executive Director of the Sierra Club, Carl Pope. One can only hope and pray that the sad state of our environment becomes a leading issue in the next presidential election. I think we owe it to the next generation to leave the environment in better shape than what we found it. Unfortunately, it looks like eight years of neglect under Bush et al. is going to leave it in much worse shape than when Bush came in. With that in mind Carl Pope states:

Senator Evan Bayh gets it.

He came to New Hampshire -- evidence that the 2004 Presidential sweepstakes in beginning in earnest. And a promising sign for action on global warming, because New Hampshire is a state with a strong environmental streak, no dependence on or liking for the carbon lobby and big oil, and a vision of itself as a 21st century energy powerhouse. So making the pilgrimage to New Hampshire is going to put a lot of pressure on candidates from both parties to break with big oil.

Bayh visited a plant that makes solar panels and said, "What we're doing here is, I hope, a glimpse into the future of our economy, of energy independence, of being more competitive in terms of global trade."

Bayh also met with New Hampshire environmentalists, who liked what he had to say. "He was very well versed on environmental and renewable energy issues. I don't think he said anything that people didn't like," said Kurt Ehrenberg, regional representative for the New Hampshire Sierra Club, who organized the meeting with about 15 activists.

Nashua Telegraph: Bayh Emphasizes Midwest

More reporting from Senator Bayh's visit to New Hampshire from the Nashua Telegraph. While mentioning other things, Senator Bayh emphasized the importance of his own backyard in the next presidential election emphasizing once again why the Senator is such a compelling candidate given his roots:

Bayh said the region (midwest) would be pivotal in 2008.

“I do think the battleground in this next election is going to be the Midwest – Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri. You add Florida, New Hampshire and New Mexico, you’ve got most of the key, swing states,” he said.

And Bayh shrugged off a question that a Hillary Clinton candidacy could cause many would-be candidates like himself to sit this next one out.

“The people of New Hampshire, the country, likes a good competition,” he answered.

Bayh Seen as #2 in Republican Blog

One of the things that has been mentioned about Bayh is that of any Democratic presidential candidate he is the one that Republicans fear most. With his strong Democratic credentials and appeal to red state voters he would force a Republican presidential candidate to spend a lot of time playing defense. Here's an entry from a Republican blog that ranks Bayh second behind Hillary. What's interesting is that the blog notices that Senator Bayh's has taken the lead with his positions and concerns about China. Here's what the blog has to say:

2. US Sen. Evan Bayh (Indiana)

If there was ever a position to take that really, genuinely would resonate with the American people, being tough on China is it. Most Americans don’t really know the details of the Sino-American trade situation, except that - by virtually everything they see on television and in the newspaper - the United States seems to be losing. Couple the perception of the trade situation with the fact that most Americans consider, besides terrorists, the Chinese to be the greatest military threat to this country over the next several decades. Taking on China can be an extremely popular political position for a candidate of either party, and, as far as 2008 goes, it appears that Bayh got there first.

CNN/Gallup Poll: America Less Safe after Iraq

Wow! As if the earlier post mentioned, Americans see themselves as less safe after the Iraq invasion. Nicely enough, and as if on cue, comes more evidence that Americans feel less safe since the Iraq invasion. Here's a snippet:

In the aftermath of last week's terror attacks in London that killed more than 50 people, 12 percent of those asked believe an act of terrorism is very likely in the next several weeks -- three times the percentage who said so in a poll conducted June 16-19.

Forty-three percent said an attack is somewhat likely, up from 31 percent in that June poll, and 9 percent said a terror strike in the United States is not at all likely -- half the percentage who said it was not at all likely in June.

Thirty-five percent said an attack is not too likely, compared to 45 percent in the June poll.

The proportion of respondents who said they believe the war in Iraq has made the United States less safe from terrorism jumped to 54 percent in the latest poll. That is a dramatic increase from 39 percent in the poll conducted June 29-30, a week before the London attacks.

Of the 489 people asked that specific question, 40 percent believed the Iraq war had made the United States safer -- down from 44 percent in the previous poll.

The other 517 poll respondents were asked whether the Iraq war had made the world safer. Forty percent said it had, and 52 percent said it made the world less safe.

Those two questions on Iraq in the latest poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points, two points higher than the rest of the poll questions.

Opinions had not changed much on the topic of who is winning the war on terrorism, a question asked of all 1,006 poll respondents.

Thirty-four percent said the United States and its allies are winning -- down 2 percentage points from the June 24-26 poll; 21 percent felt the terrorists are winning the war -- up 1 point from the previous poll. Both changes were within the margin of error.

Forty-four percent felt that neither side was winning, up from 41 percent in the June 24-26 poll.

The number who felt it was worth going to war dropped slightly. Forty-four percent believed it was worth it -- down from 46 percent in the June 24-26 survey. But 53 percent said it was not worth going to war, up 1 point since June 24-26.

Surprise! Recruiting Goal Missed Again

Once again the National Guard has missed its target on new recruits. To many of us this comes as no surprise ye the Guard seems absurdly clueless. Check this out:

Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke said the Army Guard last made its monthly goal in September 2004, when it exceeded its target by 27 recruits. The last time it made its goal before that was December 2003.

Harrison, however, said the Army Guard had not met its monthly recruiting goal for 20 straight months, since October 2003. Officials could not immediately explain the discrepancy.

They can't explain? Hmmmm... Maybe a vacation in the deserts of Iraq with roadside bombings and ineffective protection doesn't sound like a good time to many of today's graduating High School seniors. But in all seriousness, the longer this goes on the less and less secure we are as a country and that's the real shame since polls show Americans feel less safe after the Iraq invasion. It's just so difficult to see a way out of this. Any suggestions?

WMUR-TV in NH Covers Bayh Visit

WMUR in New Hampshire has a great piece regarding Senator Bayh's visit to New Hampshire. By now we all know the drill that Senator Bayh is not in the race but he's "keeping his options open." Well, if I were to keep my options "open" I think it would behoove me to visit New Hampshire and to start laying the foundation just in case I decided to run. It's great to see the amount of coverage the Senator is getting on this trip. Sounds like he really impressed many in New Hampshire during his visit.

The video of the segment can be found HERE

Laura Knoy of New Hampshire's "The Exchange" Interviews Evan Bayh

The NPR station in New Hampshire, NHPR, has on its site links to an interview of Senator Bayh by Laura Knoy on the a program called "The Exchange." If you want to listen to the interview you can check out the the link HERE.

Link to Real Audio File: HERE

Link to Windows Media Player File: HERE

Union-Leader Report on Bayh's Visit

Here's some of what the New Hampshire press (Union-Leader) has to say about Bayh's visit including Bayh's take on the Supreme Court process and the Iraq war:

Local Democrats and people associated with Bayh said the senator will be back in New Hampshire this fall for the state’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Pfeiffer declined comment.

Bayh, however, hinted at his hopes of spending more time in the Granite State. After Buckley confessed to campaigning for Jimmy Carter, who defeated Bayh’s father in the 1976 Democratic Primary, Bayh told him, “You may have an opportunity to make amends.”

The senator proceeded to introduce himself as an experienced politician who has repeatedly won elections in a state that tends to favor Republican candidates. Bayh was Indiana’s secretary of state and two-term governor before joining the U.S. Senate in 1998.

While fielding questions, Bayh said the U.S. needs a “strategy for success” in Iraq, suggesting the administration should work to keep the Sunnis involved in Iraq’s new government and convince them to stop harboring insurgents. In 2002, Bayh was one of 29 Democrats who voted to authorize the war in Iraq.

“Whether you think it was a wise thing to do or not, we’re there now,” he said yesterday. “We’ve got to try and make this situation as successful as we possibly can.”

Later, in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, Bayh said he does not support litmus tests for judicial appointees but would not rule out the possibility of filibustering President Bush’s nominee to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court bench.

“We’re going to play our constitutional role, which is to advise and consent,” he said. “Most of us feel that for something as important as a Supreme Court vacancy, that it should require more than a mere 50-50 vote.”

AP Coverage of Bayh in NH

Nice to see Bayh getting good local coverage but it's really great to see him getting national coverage courtesy of the Associated Press:

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is telling New Hampshire voters they may see more of him as the 2008 presidential primary approaches.

Bayh, 49, was in the second day of a two-day visit to the state on Monday, doing media interviews, raising money for Democrats, raising his name recognition in the earliest primary state, but saying he's not running for president, officially.

"I'm doing those practical things that you would expect to keep that open as an option, if it makes sense when the time comes," he said.

Bayh hinted he would be back.

After Ray Buckley, vice chairman of the state Democratic Party, confessed to Bayh that he campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who beat Bayh's father in the 1976 primary, Bayh said: "You may have an opportunity to make amends."

The trip marks Bayh's first appearance in New Hampshire since 2001, when he attended a fundraiser for Manchester Mayor Robert Baines.

In an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, Bayh discussed the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy following Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's decision to retire. He said he does not support litmus tests for judicial appointees but would not rule out the possibility of filibustering President Bush's nominee to replace O'Connor.

"We're going to play our constitutional role, which is to advise and consent," he said. "Most of us feel that for something as important as a Supreme Court vacancy, that it should require more than a mere 50-50 vote."

IndyStar: Coverage of Bayh in NH

It's nice to see that Senator Bayh's New Hampshire visit is getting attention from our beloved press. Maureen Groppe reports in today's Indianapolis Star:

Bayh, who is making his first trip to New Hampshire as a potential 2008 candidate, knows it won't be his last.

"Is it early? There's no doubt about that," Bayh told reporters. "That's the nature of the process. In order to do it and do it well, you have to start early."

Bayh is not the first candidate to come to New Hampshire this year. On the Democratic side, former presidential candidate Wesley Clark and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson have been through. Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards has been in the state twice and is coming back soon to help raise money for state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, the deputy Democratic leader in the state Senate...

After the public meet-and-greets in Manchester and Keene, Bayh headed to a private event at a state senator's home to help raise money for state Senate Democrats.

His schedule today, the end of his two-day trip, includes radio interviews, private meetings with elected officials and environmental activists, and a tour of a small manufacturing facility.

Bayh's travel at this stage is funded by his political action committee, which is headed by Manchester native Steve Bouchard, whose local roots and presidential campaign experience will help Bayh's New Hampshire forays.

Bayh on New Hampshire Radio 7/11

Click on this link to a site that will have an interview of Senator Bayh tomorrow. It'll be great to hear the Senator in a little Q & A session. We'll keep you posted on when the interview will become available.

Independent Blogger likes Bayh's Chinese Stance

Good to see that Bayh's speech in San Jose and the reporting of his comments on China is drawing some great reviews, especially among independents. Peakah's Provocations states:

Rhetoric sure sounds good... Wonder if there is any substance to it. He's got me listening!

Where do the real Conservatives stand on China?

Senator Bayh is going to steal independent voters like me in the next presidential election with a record like his. Perhaps I should convert to Democrat soon just so I can vote in the Primary where he's sure to contend with Hillary Clinton.

Chicago Tribune Picks up on Bayh's China Concerns

We mentioned earlier the concern that Senator Bayh has regarding the Chinese buyout of a company in Indiana that made sensitive military equipment. These sales have to be passed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. which has, out of 1,500 cases, only sent 12 for Presidential review. This is a rather low percentage and as the article states, some wonder if the White House is taking this seriously. Here's the details again on the Indiana case.

One of the most controversial CFIUS cases involved Magnequench Inc., a company that supplies guidance magnets used in the U.S. military's precision-guided "smart bombs." CFIUS approved a Chinese consortium's takeover of Magnequench in 1995. Then, when the Chinese owners in 2003 shut down Magnequench's Valparaiso, Ind., plant and moved equipment to China, CFIUS offered no response when Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) requested an inquiry.

Bayh worried that the Chinese might corner the market on a sensitive military technology. Defense Department contacts told his staff that Magnequench provided 80 percent of the guidance magnets used in smart bombs.

Still, CFIUS refused to give information about its Magnequench review despite requests from Bayh and two key committees: the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees CFIUS, according to a former Senate aide who sought to contact CFIUS.

"If the Chinese are on a mission to acquire a monopoly on these magnets, is that a good thing?" asked the former aide. "They were ending production in Indiana. We wouldn't want any single source out of the country. But out of China? That would be disturbing."

Bayh wrote a letter to President George W. Bush noting that CFIUS had approved the Chinese purchase of Magnequench in 1995 and Magnequench's buyout of the Valparaiso plant, a former General Motors facility, in 2000. "The potential transfer of these operations to China raises new questions" about national security, Bayh wrote.

Bayh received no White House response to the letter, his spokeswoman said.

The Innocent Vicims of Meth

Just wanted to follow up on Marie's post about the horrors of meth. There's a disturbing article in the New York Times about how states and social services are being overwhelmed with caring for the children of meth users. The article discusses in gruesome detail how families are broken up and how the innocent choldren are traumatized.

"The oldest kid becomes the parent, and the oldest kid may be 4 or 5 years old," said Dr. Mike Stratton, a pediatrician in Muskogee, Okla., who is involved with a state program for children exposed to drugs that is run in conjunction with the Justice Department. "The parents are basically worthless, when they're not stoned they're sleeping it off, when they're not sleeping they don't eat, and it's not in their regimen to feed the kids."

Ms. Glick recalls a group of siblings found eating plaster at a home filled with methamphetamine. The oldest, age 6, was given a hamburger when they arrived at the Laura Dester Shelter; he broke it apart and handed out bits to his siblings before taking a bite himself.

Jay Wurscher, director of alcohol and drug services for the children and families division of the Oregon Department of Human Services, said, "In every way, shape and form, this is the worst drug ever for child welfare."

This is why Senator Bayh's work on trying to curb the meth menace is so important. Meth tears at the very fabric of our society. Keep up the good work Senator!

The Scourge of Meth

Today I wanted to talk about one of the most serious drug problems facing rural areas......especially in Indiana. Senator Bayh has been the Methamphetamine Warrior. He has led the fight to prevent Meth use and abuse by sponsoring and co-sponsoring legislation that would curtail 'Meth Cookers'. I have personally watched families implode loosing everything including their children because of their Meth Addiction. Today I want to thank Senator Bayh for his efforts.
2000
Bayh Secures $1 Million for Indiana State Police to Battle Methamphetamines
2001
Battle Against Methamphetamine Gains Support In Senate
2005
French Lick Keynote Speech
Fighting the war on meth gets support from Bayh
War on Meth: Makers could lose children

More Concern over China from Bayh

While Senator Bayh expressed concern over China recently in San Jose and there's strong concern over China's buying Unocal, it's not an unfounded concern. Senator Bayh expressesd his alarm at the Chinese buying a company in Indiana that manufactured magnets that are used in smart bombs. It seems that the Chinese company closed the Indiana plant and now our government has to go out of country for some very sensitive equipment needed in this time of war. Most disturbing is the White House's burying it's head in the sand and refusing to adress Bayh's and others' concerns:

It may sound like a daunting obstacle, but it has been surprisingly easy for many foreign companies to win approval from the government entity charged with reviewing foreign takeovers for national security risks.

In the 17 years since it was created, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. has completed reviews of more than 1,500 foreign takeovers. Of those, it has forwarded only 12 for presidential review. And only one--a Chinese takeover of a Seattle aerospace parts-maker--was rejected, in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.

CFIUS was mandated in 1988 by Congress to examine the national security impact of foreign investment in the U.S. Headed by the treasury secretary, with major input from the Defense Department and Justice Department, the committee includes representatives from eight other executive agencies.

One of the most controversial CFIUS cases involved Magnequench Inc., a company that supplies guidance magnets used in the U.S. military's precision-guided "smart bombs." CFIUS approved a Chinese consortium's takeover of Magnequench in 1995. Then, when the Chinese owners in 2003 shut down Magnequench's Valparaiso, Ind. production plant and moved equipment to China, CFIUS offered no response when Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) requested an inquiry.

Bayh became concerned that the Chinese might corner the market on a sensitive military technology. Defense Department contacts informed his staff that Magnequench provided 80 percent of the guidance magnets used in smart bombs.

Still, CFIUS refused to provide information about its Magnequench review despite requests from Bayh and from two key Senate committees: the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees CFIUS, according to a former Senate aide who sought to contact CFIUS.

"If the Chinese are on a mission to acquire a monopoly on these magnets, is that a good thing?" asked the former aide. "They were ending production in Indiana. We wouldn't want any single source out of the country. But out of China? That would be disturbing."

Bayh wrote a letter to President George W. Bush noting that CFIUS had approved the Chinese purchase of Magnequench in 1995 and Magnequench's buyout of the Valparaiso plant, a former General Motors facility, in 2000. "The potential transfer of these operations to China raises new questions" about national security, Bayh wrote.

Bayh received no White House response to the letter, his spokeswoman said.

The Duke-ster: Corruption Gone Wild

Wow. The news just keeps on and on about how the GOP is the party of corruption. As if Duke Conningham (R-CA) hasn't had enough time in the headlights with his sweetheart buyout of his house in California and his wonderful yacht deal as well, now comes further word that he got a little help on his condo as well. At first glance this just seems like a bad apple; however, this is just another in the continuing litany of problems with ethics and corruption that faces the GOP. Democrats have just started to point this out with a small campaign as this WP snippet points out:

Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 6, 2005; A04

Democrats took their first formal step yesterday toward trying to nationalize next year's midterm House elections around the issue of ethics, buying ads in the local papers of six Republican lawmakers calling on them to "start working for us" instead of special interests.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is spending $36,000 on the ads -- a virtually meaningless sum, by itself -- but calls it the beginning of a campaign to fuel an anti-incumbent fever like the one that swept its party out in 1994.

"There's a question about the conduct and the culture that goes beyond the individuals," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), the committee's chairman. "The speaker's gavel is supposed to open the people's house, not the auction house."

Even White House officials have begun to fret about the large number of senior Republicans being tied to questionable travel and relationships with lobbyists. On Friday, federal agents raided the San Diego area home of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, one of the ad targets. The search followed news reports that he had sold a house to a defense contractor, who immediately put it back up for sale and took a huge loss.

Now the Duke is even deeper in his own mess:

SAN DIEGO Jul 9, 2005 — A company linked to a New York businessman who was convicted in a bid-rigging scheme helped Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham finance his Arlington, Va., condominium, court records show.

Coastal Capital financed the $150,000 mortgage on Cunningham's two-bedroom condominium, according to records on file with the Arlington, Va., Circuit Court. In 2003, Coastal Capital financed $1.1 million in mortgages toward the purchase of Cunningham's seven-bath home in Rancho Santa Fe.

Coastal Capital is run by the nephew and daughter of Thomas T. Kontogiannis, a Long Island developer who pleaded guilty in October 2002 in a bid-rigging, bribe and kickback scheme involving New York City school computer contracts worth millions of dollars.

The fruit is getting riper for the picking.

Video of Senator Bayh in Wisconsin

All America PAC, Evan Bayh's new PAC, has a video of Senator Bayh's remarks at the Wisconsin Democratic Convention last month. I'm sure that all of you serious Bayh fanatics have found the site. If not, browse on over to http://www.allamericapac.com/ to check out there excellent work. While this is from last month it's excellent stuff and shows why Senator Bayh is being looked at very seriously as a Presidential candidate. Greater Milwaukee today remarked on the address:

"Americans for the first time are in danger of passing on a country to their children that is less than the one they lived in, thanks to Republicans, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh told delegates at the state Democratic convention Friday night.

Bayh, a Democrat from Indiana and that state's former governor, said politics in Washington has become so obsessed with idealogy that the country has become as divided as it was during the Vietnam era.

"I am desperately concerned if we don't change the path we're on, the country our children will inherit from us will be less than what we inherited from our parents. We must not let that happen," Bayh said to applause...

Bayh weaved his autobiography throughout his speech, but focused on attacking the GOP. He said the country must end its dependence on the Middle East for oil and called for more production of hybrid cars, lighter steel in vehicles to increase gas mileage and more ethanol production. The country should have accomplished all of that by now, he said, "but we haven't had the leadership."

He ripped President Bush for dividing the country when he promised to be a uniter and lamented the "constant acrimony" and obsession with whether you're on the left, right or in the middle that pervades Washington politics.

He said he feels like an ambassador to a foreign country when he goes to Washington because politicians there don't do things like people in the Midwest.

"If Washington D.C. were more like Wisconsin and Indiana this country would be a lot better off," he said."

I'm sure we've covered this earlier here but it's worth reminding those who may not have seen this video to check it out.

Express Your Solidarity with Britain

On this day we can slow down, hug our loved ones, and say a prayer for those affected by the terrorist attacks in London. I know I'm not alone in that I wish there's something more I could do other than offering my condolensces. Here's a way to do that. Visit this web site and express how you feel:

http://www.standwithbritain.com

Bayh in San Jose holds China's Feet to the Fire

As we mentioned yesterday Senator Bayh was out west talking to the good people of San Jose (and thow in a fundraiser for good measure). Seantor Bayh took the opportunity to point out some of the diificulties that China is presenting our country. The San Jose Mercury News covered his speech and here's an excerpt of their coverage:

"Senator critical of China in speech
By Julie Patel
Mercury News

Sen. Evan Bayh slammed China for manipulating its currency to help cheapen its exports. He defended the United States for refusing to sign an international agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions. He urged American leaders to crack down on countries that are violating intellectual property rights...

Bayh, 49, said he voted against the United States signing the Kyoto Protocol -- which requires developed member countries to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions by 2012 -- because developing countries such as China and India would not be impacted even though they are some of the world's fastest-growing economies. He said that is the same problem with China violating intellectual property rights, which is helping it become more efficient and more competitive than the United States in many areas.

He also blasted China for manipulating its currency to keep it undervalued. Doing this makes a country's exports cheaper and provides an unfair advantage.

``It's cheating,'' he said.

Bayh said the United States has less leverage holding countries such as China accountable to international trade standards as the United States spirals into debt.

``Our legacy to our children -- mine and yours -- should be more than unpaid bills,'' he said."

Bayh in New Hampshire (where else)

I know if I were thinking about running for president that I'd be sure to visit my good friends in the Granite state. Looks like Senator Bayh will be doing just that on Sunday and Monday of next week. As the Union Leader reports:

BUSY BAYH. As we reported two weeks ago, potential 2008 Democratic Presidential contender Evan Bayh will be in the state on Sunday and Monday of next week.

The Indiana senator’s itinerary certainly suggests a campaign-style visit. It includes Sunday “meet-and-greets” at the Manchester City Democratic Committee headquarters and The Pub Restaurant in Keene. He’ll then keynote a fund-raising dinner for the state Senate Democrats at the home of Sen. Sylvia Larsen in Concord.

Bayh will also meet privately with state party officials.

On Monday, Bayh will appear on the Charlie Sherman Show at Manchester’s WGIR-AM shortly after 8 a.m. He will then meet with Lynch, the House Democratic leadership and environmental leaders. He is also slated for a yet-to-be-announced public event on Monday afternoon

Liberals Need To Back Bayh

BiLL EARL'S COLUMN
Originally uploaded by BiLL EARL.

BILL EARL (40.0)

Forty columns since last February. I thank our editor, Art Bottorff, for his support, and letting this Southern California once-upon-a-time surfer, and current beached bum, get to play in the Bottorff web sandbox every week.

Looks like Thursday will be our regular day for our column. Too many readers go out of town on Friday, and we want to stay as current, and convenient, as we can.

We are pleased to announce that this column will be "syndicated" on 4 different places on the web...here at AFB.com, of course, but also on our national Bayh Yahoo! site, the California Bayh Yahoo! site, and NOW can be found at Evan2008.com.

AFB.com has kept 20 of our "best of" columns in the archives section here...to avoid "archive clutter" only the "best" of the past 39 columns were kept..I'm pleased that 20 made the cut. Unless someone printed out, or kept the others, they are forever lost in cyberspace..heck, I didn't even save them all.. Now that our editor, Art Bottorff is back, my primary involvement here will be THIS weekly op/ed column, while Art and Marie will be offering you timely reprints of Bayh articles and other political news, so there's a lot to look forward to this summer on AFB.com.

Since last Thursday a lot has gone on.

We are pleased to announce that Evan2008's webmistress Kristen Brown has been appointed as a Moderator at our national Bayh Yahoo! group, effective 6/28. Kristen fills the seat vacated by Kat Sullivan.

Last Friday, here in Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa was sworn in as mayor. His speech was just AWESOME..it reminded me of RFK in 1968.

After our column went to press last Thursday, a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy DID occur as rumored, as Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement. Good article and cover story in Newsweek this week.

But I CANNOT forgive O'Connor for her "swing" vote stopping the hand count of ballots in Florida, SELECTING Cheney/Bush Jr. instead of upholding the ELECTION of the man with 500,000 more popular votes, Albert Gore. A big BLACKMARK for O'Connor in my book.

I hope Bush Jr. picks someone similar to David Souter, who turned out to be a closet liberal. Anita Hill on the court is just my fantasy. Won't happen. Probably never.

Last weekend, one of the most decent Americans of my lifetime passed away, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI), the founder of "Earth Day", and George McGovern's personal favorite to have been his VP running mate in 1972. Nelson turned McGovern down due to a promise to his wife. Would a McGovern/Nelson ticket whipped Tricky Dick/Spiro-watch Agnew? Highly unlikely, but Nelson would have won Wisconsin for us Dems.

Did you hear Patty Murray do the Dem response last weekend to Bush Jr's radio address? Would Murray be a good VP for Bayh?

Also last weekend, C-SPAN's "Road To The White House" series featured our Dem pretty boy John Edwards, New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson, and our own 08 choice Evan Bayh, doing law school graduation addresses. I thought Bill Richardson was GREAT! I'm sorry that I once compared him to looking like a deceased comedian. I sincerely and truly apologize for that, as Richardson is impressing me more and more, enough to say that a Bayh/Richardson ticket MIGHT BE a strong one for us.

Was it just me, or did Evan have a bad day with his speech? Maybe it was the sun in his eyes, or that uncomfortable "vestment-style" robe they made him wear, but I've seen Evan do better. When Evan Bayh shows PASSION, he is at his best. I just didn't see it last wknd on C-SPAN, but I blame the sun in his eyes. They should have let him give that speech in the shade or indoors, like Richardson's.

I will say this OVER AND OVER: Senator Bayh..SHOW PASSION. We know you have it. Show the rest of America who haven't met you yet that you can inspire us, as you did in Colorado. And let them see, as we already see, that you are the UNITER our badly divided country so badly needs.

Last weekend, at a in-law BBQ, my wife's 80-yr-old aunt told me about a Great Society-esque program that she personally benefits from, that I didn't think still existed.."Section 8" it is called, and it gives senior citizens low rent housing in DECENT areas. Aunt Rosa pays less than HALF of the going rent rate in her neighborhood. "Section 8" sets aside housing for lower-than-market rent for seniors, and maybe other low incomers. THAT is government at its best. We need MORE "Section 8" -style programs THROUGHOUT our country.

This brings up this topic. I've been frequently asked in e-mails, just WHY AM I, an outspoken California liberal, doing as an Evan Bayh supporter. I know I stand out among the mostly Midwesterners of AFB.com and the national Bayh Yahoo! site, both in age (55 this Sept) and with my leftist political views. I've explained it before, but to keep it short: Evan Bayh is more liberal than most think, and he will NOT disappoint liberals. I know, as I've studied both Birch and Evan for many years. But liberals NEED to BACK Evan Bayh in the primaries.

Bayh NEEDS liberals like me.

The more visible liberals like I am, the better for Bayh. I say that if I AM comfortable with Evan Bayh, then OTHER liberals need to see WHAT I SEE..Evan Bayh knows how to GOVERN, and is ELECTABLE..more so than any other on our bench for 08. But if liberals DO NOT support, Bayh, he will have a tough time in the primaries, and we CAN'T BLOW IT THIS TIME IN 2008.

THAT IS WHY THIS LIBERAL HAS A BIG JOB TO DO between now and the primaries, and why I believe I am a positive asset to the Evan Bayh campaign..as a California liberal, I will do all I can to let my liberal brethren know what I KNOW about Evan Bayh.

Good golly, he's from INDIANA, for Pete's sake..he HAS to be "moderate" at times to get/stay elected. Can't other liberals understand that? He does what he HAS TO DO to remain in office. But, as Birch's son, he's NOT GONNA LET US LIBS DOWN.

True, that I stand out as a Great Society liberal from California here on this site, but it's LIBERALS like ME that Evan needs to win over. If our party is SPLIT in the primaries, only the Repubs will benefit. I'll be talking more about how we need a strong sub-effort "Liberals For Bayh" in the weeks ahead. Without liberal support in the primaries we could all lose. And we don't want that, do we?

Last few loose ends. Sad to hear about London today. Where in this dangerous Cheney/Bush Jr. world is "safe"?

Also, much talk this past week that Bush Jr. might choose a "Latin" for the Supreme Court..media is saying that if Bush Jr. buddy Gonzales is chosen, he'd be the "first Latin." Not exactly true. Far far right arch-conservative (gulp..tough for a lib like me to mention his name) Antonin "Nino" Scalia, is of Latin descent himself as an Italian-American..remember that "Latin" was the language of the Roman Empire. Scalia and Gonzales are BOTH technically "Latin."

Have you seen those Memin Piguin stamps that Mexico just issued? They show a cartoon boy of black race, from a 1940s era Mexico comic book, with thick lips, Louis Armstrong-style bulging eyes, a "scared" stereotype demeanor, and to me, is HIGHLY OFFENSIVE. I saw one of those comic books. They even have a heavy set Mammy-like mother character looking like the Aunt Jemima of the 1950s, complete with bandana. Very very offensive to me.

However, Mexico is NOT the U.S. and they do have a right to print stamps like this. It's not our country.

But let's get down to brass tacks...keep in mind that OUR COUNTRY has produced caricatures of Mexicans that I'm sure Mexicans have found offensive.

Remember the Frito Bandito? Go Go Gomez? (from the cartoon Dick Tracy series), Speedy Gonzales? (Both the cartoon rat, AND the Pat Boone record).

All perpetuate the stereotype that Mexicans are either lazy, sleeping during the day, sneaky thieves, or can't wait for their next glass of tequila. To ME, Go Go Gomez or the Frito Bandito are just as bad as Memin Piguin.

If WE are offended, as we should be, by these racist-to-me Memin Piguin postage stamps, then maybe just think that Mexicans might have been equally offended by OUR caricatures of lazy, theiving, volatile (i.e. "we don't need no stinking badges"), sleeping, or tequila-loving Mexicans, as they have seen US come out with over the years.

Maybe this is payback time, in a way, for those caricatures that we created of Mexicans. That sword, as Gloria Estefan once said, cuts both ways.

Just ran out of ink..see you next Thursday July 14 for column 41.0.

/////////////////////////////////

(BiLL EARL'S COLUMN is a periodic op/ed feature, currently weekly every Thursday, of AFB.com. Not only is Bill a regular contributor here, but also is EB08 Senior Moderator of the National Bayh Yahoo! group, and CFB Moderator from Rosemead in the CA Bayh Yahoo! group, all part of the National Bayh! Network...NB!N)

Bayh Sighting: San Jose (looks like a west coast swing)

Looks like Senator Bayh is in the midst of a swing on the West Coast as we have just learned that he will be appearing tomorrow in San Jose:

THE HON. EVAN BAYH | WEDNESDAY JULY 6
Member, United States Senate (D-IN)

THE NEW DEMOCRAT MOVEMENT


The New Democrat movement emerged as a means to modernize the progressive tradition in politics, and its followers espouse bipartisanship and moderate thinking, which has alienated some of the Democratic Party's left-leaning members. Bayh is a leader of the New Democrat movement and is spearheading the creation of the Third Way, an organization designed to build consensus around legislation that would otherwise remain bogged down in political turf wars. Before his election to the Senate, Bayh served two terms as governor of Indiana. Bayh will explain the New Democrat movement's goals and outline a course of action to bring cooperation and progressivism back to politics.

11:30 a.m., Registration | 12:00 p.m., Lunch | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., Program | Rotary Summit Center, 88 South Fourth St., San Jose | $25 for Members and Non-members | Includes lunch and parking in the Fourth Street Garage

Wikipedia on Evan Bayh

Check out the Wikipedia entry for Evan Bayh. While the entry has the basic Bayh information and links to some great Bayh sites (including this one), it also has this:

"Bayh is also considered to be a possible 2008 Presidential nominee due to his appeal to "red state" voters and his perceived electability. In the 2004 election he received more votes in Indiana than President Bush, a feat unheard of by a Democrat in a state as conservative as Indiana. Some believe that Bayh's moderate appeal would be a driving force in his electability, with many critics portraying a candidate like Hillary Clinton as too liberal and polarizing. Many pundits and politcos see a very electable team in Evan Bayh and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. A Bayh-Richardson ticket would capitalize on the Midwest and Southwest, both essential for Democratic victory. Furthermore Richardson, a Hispanic, would help bring back the very strong Democratic support of the Latino population."

Now, if your new to the Wikipedia and the wiki concept, what you need to know is that anyone can edit this information and put on the page what they may see as more salient information/opinion. If you like it you can just leave it alone and see what the "consensus" entry becomes. In any case, I thought I'd point this information out and am curious to anyone's response to the excerpt.

Is Unka Karl Sweating?

The political news du jour has to be Time's Matthew Cooper agreeing to testify in the Valerie Plame/Wilson case where she was outed as an undercover CIA agent by some unknown and unsavory character in the Bush Administration (aren't they all for the most part unsavory?). Rumor has it that the person responsible is none other than the puppetmeister Karl Rove. OOOOOOOhhhh...this could be very exciting. It will, no doubt, help the Democrats as they can continue, with more ammo, hammer the GOP as the party of corruption. We also have Duke Cunningham and Tom Delay and Abramoff stewing in the ethics wasteland as well. From the AP:

"Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper agreed Wednesday to testify about his sources in a government leak of a CIA agent's identity, an about-face that came as he faced jail time in a fierce First Amendment fight.

Cooper told U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan that he would now cooperate with a federal prosecutor's investigation because his source gave him specific authority to discuss their conversation. "I am prepared to testify. I will comply" with the court's order, Cooper told Hogan.

Cooper's turnaround came at a hearing at which Hogan was to consider whether to jail Cooper and New York Times reporter Judith Miller for defying his order to testify about their confidential sources in the leak of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity.

Cooper took the podium in the court and told the judge, "Last night I hugged my son good-bye and told him it might be a long time before I see him again."

"I went to bed ready to accept the sanctions" for not testifying, Cooper said. But he told the judge that not long before his early afternoon appearance, he had received "in somewhat dramatic fashion" a direct personal communication from his source freeing him from his commitment to keep the source's identity secret."

Who, oh who, could this source be? Stay tuned...

Bayh Sighting: San Francisco

Looks like our friends in San Francisco have the opportunity to hear the good Senator in person. I have the $25 to attend but unfortunately I can't transport myself to SF in time. It'll be nice to hear how it went. Details:

Democratic Movement

The Commonwealth Club of the South Bay presents Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, who will discuss the new democratic movement and how partisan politics is burdening the process of lawmaking.

Today at 11:30 a.m., the Commonwealth Club, 888 South Fourth St., San Jose. Admission is $25. Call (800) 847-7730 or visit www.commonwealthclub.org.

The Ethically Challenged GOP

Nice to see the Democrats on offense and trumpeting the ethical problems that are troubling all too many members of the Republican Congress. While this is a deliberate strategy of the Democrats to use this issue to help take back the congress it is a very appropriate and timely one given the horrendous approval ratings of the Republican controlled House and Senate. One wonders if any of them are saying "bring it on" like Bush did? Anyhow, here's a little more info:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee have bought advertisements about the ethics of Mr. Cunningham; Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the House majority leader; and Representatives Bob Ney of Ohio, Richard W. Pombo of California, Rob Simmons of Connecticut and Charles H. Taylor of North Carolina.

Democrats said ethics was a potentially powerful issue as they devised a strategy to win seats in the House, where Republicans outnumber Democrats, 231 to 202, with one independent and one vacancy.

The advertisements are to run on Wednesday in newspapers in the six congressmen's districts, at a total cost of $36,000. The message of the advertisement in The North County Times, in Escondido, Calif., is typical. "What's happened to Duke Cunningham?" it asks, referring to the congressman by his nickname.

"Fifteen years ago," it says, "we sent Duke Cunningham to Washington to work on things Californians care about: more jobs, affordable health care, a secure retirement. Now, Duke Cunningham's work in Congress is generating headlines on his ties to contractors and his 'sweetheart' deal on a home sale. We knew Duke Cunningham would leave California to work in Washington. We didn't know he'd leave behind his California values."

Blogger Praises Bayh (with analysis)

It's always a pleasure to note bloggers who have become smitten with the Senator. Here's an excerpt from Jamesland where blogger James Barnett makes gives an analysis on the Democtic possibilities for 2008:

Sen. Evan Bayh (IN) - The junior senator from Indiana is serving his second term. Defending his seat in 2004, Bayh defeated his opponent by twenty-five percentage points. More astoundingly, he tallied more votes as a Democrat than President Bush did as a Republican in my triple-cherry red State of Indiana. There are two knocks on Bayh he's not particularly well-known outside of his constiuency, and he's not liberal enough to escape the Democratic primary. The first, I think, is easy to overcome. Many had not heard of Clinton or Bush before they declared their candidacies and they were both two-term Presidents. The second, however, may be a problem. Primaries are very difficult to maneuver. Some may even say they are harder than the general election. After all, it's easy to argue with someone who has oppositional politics, but it is much more difficult to debate people that are essentially on your own team. I wish I had advice for the Indiana Senator here, but I think we'll just have to wait and see. What Bayh does have is what ESPN's Bill Simmons calls TUP (Tremendous Upside Potential). He's not a liberal, for one. This is a plus in a general election. Though some states (e.g. New York, California, Massachusetts, etc.) will vote for liberals regardless, many American voters feel disconnected from those on the far-left. He is what George Bush promised to be, a uniter. If Bayh can pull near-80% approval ratings as a Democrat in a traditionally Republican state, it is very hard to say he is anything resembling a divider. He's a Democrat who is strong on Defense and is socially moderate to conservative. Though Bayh has yet to declare his candidacy, he has formed a PAC, All America, that will allow him to create a larger national presence and support nationwide travel to accomodate such. What the heck, I'll come out and say it: Bayh in '08!

Evan Bayh--Hottest Senator not Counting Obama

Our very own Evan Bayh made the list as the hottest US Senator not counting Barak Obama. Will this translate into primary victories? One can only hope so but while Senator Bayh may be hot, we think highly of him for all the other reasons mentioned here and elsewhere. There are rumors that the Mrs. Bayh may have tipped the scales but as noted she only has one vote. But still, Senator Bayh beat out Senator Biden? No contest in my book. This hottest race has received attention elsewhere as mentioned here:

Although rumors abound that Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., will run for president in 2008, he's currently in a tight race in a different kind of election.

Bayh is one of four finalists in the race for "The Ultimate Hottest U.S. Senator Not Counting Obama," an online contest based on nothing but looks...

Bayh spokeswoman Meghan Keck said contests like this crop up every year, and she wasn't sure if the senator even knows about it. But she had a guess as to who's been clicking for Bayh.

"With the boys in sports camp, it looks like Mrs. Bayh has had more time to vote this summer," Keck joked.

From The Day After We Lost

(The below is an archival document from the first Wednesday of November 2004.

It is being reprinted by request from several poly sci scholars for their growing scrapbook-style chronology of Campaign 2008.)

///////////////////////////////////////


Bayh & Landrieu Are the Ticket for '08
By Bill Earl

We need to start the 2008 presidential campaign right now. We don't know yet who our ticket will be, but I'd like to propose two outstanding Democrats: Senator Evan Bayh of
Indiana for President and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana for Vice-President.
A Bayh-Landrieu ticket is a ray of hope on this gloomy day. Bayh is a Midwestern-
er who knows how to win in a heavily Republican state, and Landrieu, a youthful and attractive Catholic Southerner, would complement him nicely. Bayh won Republican In-
diana in a big way on Nov. 2!
I, as a private citizen and registered McGovern/Howard Dean democrat, will be urging
both senators to consider running for our 2008 ticket.
Other fine Democrats may decide to enter the race, such as Senator Hilary Clinton or
even former Vice President Al Gore. And, being realistic, Senators Bayh and Landrieu
might not be interested when the time comes.
But, we have to start somewhere and sometime, so I strongly suggest that we begin on Campaign 2008 today.
If anyone would like a color 8" x 10" portrait of Senator Bayh, which I currently have on a bulletin board at home, please send me your E-mail address so I can send a scan suitable for framing.
My E-mail box is earlwmf@aol.com; I'd appreciate your comments and opinions regarding
my proposed ticket.

////////////////////////////////////////

The above was written for the newsletter of a local Southern CA Democratic club, UNITED DEMOCRATS (El Monte, CA) the day after election day November 2004.

It was published by Ron Vrooman, the club's President, in that club's Fall 2004 newsletter, BEFORE the Bayh Yahoo! groups were launched, BEFORE the AFB.com website, BEFORE our blogging site, BEFORE the All America PAC website.

It might just be the FIRST published mention of a Bayh/Landrieu ticket for 2008.

It is reproduced here exactly as it was typeset and published (from a longer submission) last November.

It is now a piece of Campaign 2008 history.

For archives files.

///////////////////

Bayh urges 'consensus' choice for Supreme Court

"Justice O'Connor's retirement presents the president with an opportunity to break away from the partisan fights that have plagued Washington and produce a nominee with true consensus support," Bayh, D-Ind., said in a statement. Bayh's comments indicate he will not go along with a nominee whom Democrats consider too conservative.

Lugar, Bayh Split on Free Trade Vote , CAFTA

Indiana's senators canceled each other's vote Thursday night as the Senate approved legislation to implement the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

Republican Senator Richard Lugar voted in favor of the trade agreement with six Latin American nations, while Democrat Evan Bayh voted against the agreement.

The White House launched an aggressive lobbying effort for the trade pact after it ran into a buzzsaw of opposition from lawmakers from sugar- and textile-producing states facing potential competition from imports, including a number of Republicans who have supported Bush's past free trade efforts.