Indiana's Evan Bayh to retire from Senate

Maybe Bayh is getting out while the getting is good. If you were contemplating a run for President, would you want to hang around with the way things are in DC?

 

Far be it from me to criticize somebody for not wanting to deal with the ginormous amount of corruption, dirty dealing, hypocrisy, infighting, petty (and not-so-petty) power struggles and revenge that is found at the top of the federal government. I sure as #@*^ wouldn't want to be a part of it.

I cannot imagine working in that environment. I'm surprised no congress critter has gone postal (ha! There's a blast from the past for ya' ) yet.

But this has been this way for decades. Mr. Bayh should have known WTF he was getting into, and especially should have known WTF he was going back to. I mean, didn't he ever see Mr. Smith goes to Washington? If he really, honestly believed that The One was going to change all that. . . holy cow. The guy needs somebody to take care of him `cuz he's just too silly to be allowed out on his own.

You democrats can criticize one of your own all you like. But I for one refuse to believe that he is that stupid - stupid enough to think The One was going to change government in a year. There's more going on here.

 

What does he do until 2016? I don't see him running against Obama in 2012, and six years in a long time to be away from the game. Something going on here that spooks me.

 

Generally incumbents retire for one of two reasons. Either they face certain defeat or they see their party will lose its majority status and they will become backbenchers. Less common are financial reasons. Senators have a lot of scope to fill their pockets, so lucrative job offers usually don't tempt them, but a younger guy like Bayh with looming college expense, maybe. Also, the constant grind of raising campaign funds is a real soul killer for anyone with a soul to start with.

Bayh is among the best the democrat party has and probably also sees that he has zero chance of advancing into the Senate leadership or going for national office, since those opportunities are reserved for far left radicals like Obama, Reid and Pelosi.

ps. No offense to Bayh, who I think is a decent man, but taking what any of these pols say at face value is ridiculous. I'm pretty sure the partisanship is no more intense than it has been for the past 40 years or so. What has changed is that the democrat party has shifted far left and moderates like Bayh are under constant attack from the MSNBC/Kos crazies. It's no fun being odd man out in your own caucus or having to go out every day and pretend Obama is doing a good job or is competent when you know it's not true.

 

I don't really know much of him ... but if he represents character as many have said
perhaps stepping down is a better leverage and vote for change than staying in.

Perhaps he sees the need for new blood to make changes in DC.

 

The following is an e-mail I received from Senator Bayh's office just a few minutes ago.




Thank you, Indiana


I would like to begin by acknowledging some people to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.

First, my wife Susan, who for 25 years has stood by my side and without whose love and support so much I have been privileged to do would never have been possible. As my father told me the day we were married: “Son, you definitely married up.”

Second, my wonderful children, Beau and Nick, who I love so much and of whom I am so proud. Being their father is the most important job I will ever have.

Next, my staff members—past and present—who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much for the people of our state. There is not one that couldn’t have made more money and worked fewer hours doing something else. They have always managed to make me look much better than I deserve.

Most importantly, the people of Indiana, who for almost a quarter century have placed their trust and welfare in my hands. No one could ask for a better boss or a greater honor.

I was raised in a family that believes public service is the highest calling in the church, that what matters is not what you take from life, but what you give back. I believe that still.


For almost all of my adult life, I have been privileged to serve the people of Indiana in elective office.
As Secretary of State, I worked to reform our election laws to ensure that every vote counts. I cast the deciding vote in the closest congressional race in the nation for a member of the other political party, because I believed he had legitimately won the election.

As Governor, I worked with an outstanding team to balance the budget, cut taxes, leave the largest surplus in state history, create the most new jobs in any eight-year period, increase funding for schools every year, make college more affordable, and reform welfare to emphasize work. We raised water quality standards, created more new state parks than any time since the 1930s, and raised the penalties for violent crime.

In the Senate, I have continued to fight for the best interests of our state. I have worked with Hoosier workers and businesses, large and small, in the defense sector, the life sciences, the medical device industry, autos, steel, recreational vehicle manufacturing, and many, many more, to save and create jobs.


Since 9/11, I have fought to make our nation safe with a national security approach that is both tough and smart. I have championed the cause of our soldiers to make sure they have the equipment they need in battle and the health care they deserve when they get home.

I have often been a lonely voice for balancing the budget and restraining spending. I have worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike to do the nation’s business in a way that is civil and constructive.

I am fortunate to have good friends on both sides of the aisle, something that is much too rare in Washington today.
After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned. For some time, I have had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should. There is too much partisanship and not enough progress -- too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous challenge, the peoples’ business is not being done.


Examples of this are legion, but two recent ones will suffice.

Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed, but seven members who had endorsed the idea instead voted “no” for short-term political reasons.


Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create jobs -- the public’s top priority -- fell apart amid complaints from both the left and right.


All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state, and our nation than continued service in Congress.

To put it in words most people can understand: I love working for the people of Indiana, I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress. I will not, therefore, be a candidate for election to the Senate this November.


My decision should not be interpreted for more than it is: a very difficult, deeply personal one. I am an executive at heart. I value my independence. I am not motivated by strident partisanship or ideology. These traits may be useful in many walks of life, but they are not highly valued in Congress.

My decision should not reflect adversely upon my colleagues who continue to serve in the Senate. While the institution is in need of significant reform, there are many wonderful people there. The public would be surprised and pleased to know that those who serve them in the Senate, despite their policy and political differences, are unfailingly hard-working and devoted to the public good as they see it. I will miss them.


I particularly value my relationship with Senator Dick Lugar and have often felt that if all Senators could have the cooperative relationship we enjoy, the institution would be a better place.


My decision should not reflect adversely upon the President. I look forward to working with him during the next 11 months to get our deficit under control, get the economy moving again, regulate Wall Street to avoid future financial crises, and reform education so that all children can fulfill their God-given potential. This is the right agenda for America.

My decision was not motivated by political concern. Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election. Five times over the last 24 years, I have been honored by the people of Indiana with electoral success. But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough. And it has never been what motivates me.


At this time, I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning, or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor.

In closing, let me say this: Words cannot convey nor can I adequately express my gratitude to the great people of Indiana.


I will never forget those I have been privileged to serve and those who have so kindly supported me. I have always tried to remember that my job is to work for Hoosiers, not the other way around.


I am constantly reminded that if Washington, D.C., could be more like Indiana, Washington would be a better place.
Lastly, let me reiterate my deep and abiding love for our nation and my optimism for our future. These are difficult times for America. But we have seen difficult days before, and we will see better days again. With all our faults, we are an exceptional people.


I look forward to continuing to do my part to meet the challenges we face as a private citizen, to work for solutions not slogans, progress not politics, so that our generation can do what Americans have always done: convey to our children, and our children’s children, an America that is stronger, more prosperous, more decent, and more just.

Thank you again. May God bless you all.

 

Well, since you asked.

As soon as former Sen Dan Coats made mention that he might run against Bayh in the next election, dems connected to Bayh in Indiana went to work. They made a big splash out of the fact that Coats once said he may retire to North Carolina and such things. It's all at politico. And they thought they'd nuked Coats before he even got out of the chute. Even bragged about it.

Then some enterprising republicans went to work. They soon released a report showing that Bayh claims his homestead exemption on a tiny, and I mean tiny, little condo in Indiana, while he has a two million dollar estate that he and his family reside in all of the time in the capitol. He claims his capitol estate as his second home.

The charge of 'people in glass houses throwing stones' was thrown at him. This has all happened in just the last few days.

So, if I'm looking at his real motive for quitting, it's because he is pretty sure he's going to lose the next election and losers don't run for president. People who have 'retired' from their senate seat do. And he wants to be president. We all know that.

 

The dems have messed their nest. Gay marriage and abortion fullspeed ahead has sealed their political foreseeable future. Of course, the apologists for slavery is what got obama in to begin with. Not looking at his record which is non-existent. If he is not a socialist, I am not typing. He is a progressive who does not regard the constitution as having value. He believes the last court decision rules, not the constitution, and he also is pandering to the most dangerous religion ever devised. Prayed to Jesus everyday when he was running for prez. Heard that lately? Only religion he promotes now is the one of his youth. Now that he got elected by the ones he lied to about his beliefs. At first I took his swagger as cockiness, now I see him as old fashioned "prissy". Nobel pp? Global warming? Transparent? Wierdo Czars? Bayh left because of administration cooks, and that is too obvious.

 

I have to say ... that is a very touching letter that exudes integrity.
I do not know anything more of the man ... but I can feel that he is likely a humble giant that will be missed.
(or he has a good staff writer)

 

In the next couple months if Obama continues his agenda but doesn't pass any major initiatives he will start to look as rational as a bipolar manic thinking he has the powers of superman. Seriously ask yourself, what percent of politicians would continue an ideological agenda after three horrific elections and a senator giving up his seat? Obama is a classic psychological example of a person unwilling to confront reality regarding his gigantic expectations. Tell me how Obama doesn't have a case of denial and narcissism.