MyDD :: So, Not Bayh, Then?

So, Not Bayh, Then?

by Todd Beeton, Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:01:14 AM EST

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., told The Indianapolis Star today that Sen. Barack Obama has not asked him to be his running mate and that he's not expecting Obama to announce his vice presidential pick when Obama is in Indiana Wednesday.

Asked if he will be Obama's vice presidential choice, Bayh said; "I have no idea. You'd have to ask him."

Obama and Bayh flew to northern Indiana last night and will be appearing at a townhall together in Elkhart, IN this morning, but even with all that quality time together, there's apparently no announcement in the offing.

In fact, Bayh said that while he has "no idea" what Obama's timeline is for announcing his running mate, "I'm absolutely confident there will be no announcement tomorrow. I guess the best way to put it is, if there's an announcement tomorrow, I'd be as surprised as anybody else."

Consider this a VP projection thread.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, barack obama, evan bayh, vice president (all tags)

Permalink :: 58 Comments :: Post a Comment

He's leaving in the afternoon. (none / 0)

wheels up at 3:30 PM

If there was going to be an announcement, he would spend the complete day or atleast leave at night, not mid afternoon.

He goes on vacation next week.

so he'll likely announce the week of the 18th - one week before the convention.

so Bayh is still in the running.

"McSame: He's Constipated and Ready to GO!

by Al Rodgers on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:07:17 AM EST

Re: He's leaving in the afternoon. (none / 0)

It's Hillary.

by Drummond on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:23:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

I'm convinced Senator Clinton has been chosen as of a "long" time ago. This is being stage managed and by "Hillary night" we will know.

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:31:38 AM EST

B-team=Bayh, Sebelius, Kaine... (2.00 / 1)

...the three of them are about as charismatic and exciting as a dialtone.

Just wished that I hadn't heard Roland Martin last night on CNN saying, "Without question, I've spoken with many folks at the top of the Obama Campaign, and It. Will. Not. Be. Clinton." (Bummed me out...but I'm over it.)

Sorry, but it's just the truth.

A-team=Clinton**, Clark, Biden

Dark horses=Gephardt, (Bob) Graham, (Bill) Bradley, Bloomberg

Also rans=Reed, Hagel, Tester, Dodd, Edwards (for a variety of reasons--not a bad guy in the bunch, just not A-team material this cycle)

=Obama won't pick a Rethug
*=Bloomberg's not a real Rethug. Historically, he's actually a Dem.
*=To hell with Roland Martin's comments last night! As long as she's out there on the hustings, I think she's still in the money. I mean who else is maintaining as high a profile as a surrogate as this lady?

by bobswern on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:34:51 AM EST

Re: B-team=Bayh, Sebelius, Kaine... (none / 0)

I like Roland and I imagine he's a great source.
We will see. I love the dial tone line.

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:41:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: B-team=Bayh, Sebelius, Kaine... (none / 0)

Roland also has a painfully obvious grudge against the Clintons that has existed throughout this campaign.

This might taint his reporting rather strongly.

by mjc888 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 07:23:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: B-team=Bayh, Sebelius, Kaine... (none / 0)

Interesting. Thanks for letting me know. mjc888

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:12:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: B-team=Bayh, Sebelius, Kaine... (none / 0)

Roland Martin was so blatantly pro Obama during the primaries that even the thought of HIllary as VP is terrifying to him. I imagine this "reporting" has more to do with his personal feelings.

by NJDEM1 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:46:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

I wouldn't mind Sebilius or Napolitano.

by msrpotus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:35:10 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Napolitano would get killed VP debates.

"Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry: pick a side, Napolitano, we're at war."

by TCQuad on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 02:52:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Damn! There goes that errant asterisk! (none / 0)

Screwing up my comments and turning everything bold and not printing as an asterisk, like I was hoping it would! Sorry about that.

by bobswern on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:36:56 AM EST

Re: Damn! There goes that errant asterisk! (none / 0)

Can I troll you? Ha Ha

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:42:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Biden or Bayh still seem like the obvious choices.
Sturdy, dependable guys.

I prefer Biden because he's not just some boring old white guy there to balance the ticket. He's a fighter and tough guy who'll throw smart punches.

If Hillary wasn't out of the running before, then she sure as heck is after the whole "Obama played the race card" comment situation. Her staff and Bill are obviously still too upset about that whole election and to be leaking out comments about race issues and saying it's "chickens coming home to roost" is so thoroughly unproductive. You can't pick someone if you can't trust their staff or if you're sure they actively dislike you.

by Siguy on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:53:53 AM EST

It IS chickens coming home to roost (none / 0)

Obama's team played the race card HARD in South Carolina. It was despicable then but they got great mileage with it. You can't expect Bill Clinton to rest easy with being called a racist,

As to Veep, Biden would be my last choice. A blowbag and extremely egotistical, even for a senator.

by Thaddeus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:07:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It IS chickens coming home to roost (none / 0)

There's an important difference between the "race" card and the "racism" card. You're referring to the latter. :)

For Student Power: http://forstudentpower.org/blog

by Liberaltarian on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:19:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

right (none / 0)

by Thaddeus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:36:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It IS chickens coming home to roost (none / 0)

Yes you can. He's a seasoned pol who knows that politics is give and take. He's given plenty. He's taken plenty.

It's Hillary.

by Drummond on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:25:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There are limits to the give-and-take (none / 0)

ESPECIALLY within the Party when one will need an endorsement and active support after the primary race is over.

And especially when we're talking about a former president. The Obama campaign treated Bill Clinton with a significant lack of respect, and worse, continue to do so. The greatest threat to the Obama campaign is the perception that Obama is arrogant and entitled. If he can't bring real comity between his campaign and he Clintons and their supporters, he will demonstrate that he is something less than a healer. I think a failure in this area will cost him the election.

by Thaddeus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:40:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: There are limits to the give-and-take (none / 0)

By now you realize that you've underestimated Bill Clinton.

by Drummond on Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 12:09:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Clinton camp's notorious lack of discipline (none / 0)

that's one of the few arguments against making her VP. Her staff was a complete disaster in the primaries. Would the O team be able to rein them in?

by JJE on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:42:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

How much time would he need to introduce a new face. Everyone knows Biden and Clinton. They wouldn't need much introduction. Would he really announce during the Olympics? The pick must be someone who doesn't beed an introduction.

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:56:09 AM EST

That might not be so great (none / 0)

Someone who is virtually unknown (i.e. not Hillary, Biden or Bayh) gives us a chance to define them. If it's a known quantity, the media won't wait for that.

by msrpotus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:58:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

introdution unnessary if a regional choice (none / 0)

if Kaine, well he's already known in VA and NC.

If Bayh (who's not well know outside of newsjunkes), he's be already known in IN.

Now if he picked a women (sans hillary) then that would be a problem, because the whole point would be to introduce her to the women vote, which would take time.

Richardson is already known in NV and CO, he's likely have to extend his reach to FL.

So I the could go with a regional pick: Richardson, Bayh, Kaine.

Or a better known national player like Biden, Clark, Hagel.

"McSame: He's Constipated and Ready to GO!

by Al Rodgers on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:20:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I Disagree (none / 0)

Whoever it is, they'll have to be introduced to the nation as a whole.

by msrpotus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:29:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

not if its a regional pice (none / 0)

if it's Kaine, they're not gonna take him up to WI and IA, they'll let him hit VA,NC,GA, and OH

Same with Rchardson. They'll let him loose on NV, CO, and FL.

"McSame: He's Constipated and Ready to GO!

by Al Rodgers on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:34:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Prediction (none / 0)

Bayh, Biden, and Kaine are out of the running. Obama had all the info he needed on these guys and just couldn't pull the trigger during a week in which a VP choice would have received maximum exposure right before the Olympics. It would have been better to do so before the games because you could run your commercial with your running mate. My prediction is that something about the three (e.g. Biden's longetivity in Washington, the abortion stances of Bayh and Kaine) caused Obama to hold off on the move even though the press had already given these three their due for weeks.

We may have to go to a new list or look at new favorites once Friday comes and goes with a VP. I think the VP train has left Bayh, Biden, and Kaine behind.

by Blazers Edge on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:59:32 AM EST

London Sports Book Odds (none / 0)

Bayh: 3 to 1

Kaine: 6 to 1

Sebelius: 8 to 1

Clinton 9 to 1

Biden 9 to 1

Clark 18 to 1

Hagel 19 to 1

Richardson 25 to 1

http://www.betfair.com/

"McSame: He's Constipated and Ready to GO!

by Al Rodgers on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:32:26 AM EST

If he announces during the Olympics... (none / 0)

It's going to be Hillary. Any other Veep minus JRE would need a national introduction on some level.

Like many have said: the longer this takes, the better Hill's chances are. Could you imagine the reaction if he keeps the pick totally mum, and then blows the roof out by announcing her as the Veep pick?

Hillary supporter for Barack Obama in 2008

by zcflint05 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:33:11 AM EST

Re: If he announces during the Olympics... (none / 0)

Bill is ruining Hillary's chances. Plus, I don't think he wouldt be so angry right now if she was under serious consideration. Unfortunately, he is too big of a liability since he can't control his emotions or speech.

by Lolis on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:48:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The Obama team portrayed him as racist (none / 0)

and he's supposed to smile and go along with it? They tried playing that race card again against McCain and discovered what it's like to REALLY get called on the bullshit.

by Thaddeus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:10:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

quotes or it didn't happen (none / 0)

by JJE on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:25:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Another sublime head fake. I'm fairly certain the veep pick will be somebody completely outside the CW. My picks?

Clark
Clarke
Feingold

Maybe

Clinton
or
Richardson

John McCain, maverick

by lojasmo on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:13:43 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

I still think we have to consider Rendell as a possibility. He is a lot of things Obama is not, but is quite charismatic in his own way. He brings a lot of positives to the ticket and far less negatives than most people realize.

"And to my fellow Americans I say this... get off my lawn." John McCain, August 2008

by JDF on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:12:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Richardson, Clinton, Clark, Graham is who I would like to see, in that order. All solid picks, assuming Graham would be up to it.

Because I wont trade humanity for patriotism!

by Drewid on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:44:13 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (2.00 / 2)

Does anyone else think it's possible that Obama is strongly considering someone who is getting zero attention from the media? If so, he's gotta be loving it because that would mean getting the maximum possible impact when the pick is officially announced. If it were say, Brian Schweitzer, who is a complete unknown outside the blogosphere, everyone in the country would think, "Whoa, who is that guy?" And then it would give Obama and his team the chance to introduce him to the country in a positive way before opinions are hardened.

Anyway, just a thought...

by Will Graham on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 07:42:07 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Yes Will I do wonder whether it's someone under the radar. I keep thinking he will surprise us.

by Politicalslave on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:18:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

One qualified "new" progressive getting zero attention from the media (and my favorite) is:

Gary Hart

He brings national security experience - and is simultaneously against the old politics.

by tietack on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:32:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Too much old baggage there I think. It would be kind of a cool choice though.

"And to my fellow Americans I say this... get off my lawn." John McCain, August 2008

by JDF on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:15:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Gary Hart would be great. Jerry Brown would be awesome. I think that it might just be someone like that.

give me a wall! check out one of the best indie bands out of england in a while, ¡Forward, Russia!

by Sean Fitzpatrick on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:07:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Dang it, you caught us.

I admit it. His pick was me.

Obama had thought along the same lines, except he wanted someone unknown inside and outside the blogosphere and I fit the bill perfectly. Until you ruined it by ruining the surprise of a surprise.

Instead, he's going to pick someone else and my "Valued MyDD contributors don't have to pay taxes" initiative will forever go to the wayside.

by TCQuad on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 02:58:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

The Obama campaign is badly in need of an invigorating shakeup. Only Hillary can provide that. Not picking her could prove fatal.

by Bob H on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:45:59 AM EST

What are you talking about? (none / 0)

Obama has been winning the news cycles. McCains advertisements are being widely mocked (even by Paris Hilton,) and Obama is generating buzz by NOT picking a VP.

I am not saying Hillary is a bad choice I am just saying the idea that he needs to choose her to save his campaign is preposterous. If any campaign is in need of a save right now it is McNutty's.

"And to my fellow Americans I say this... get off my lawn." John McCain, August 2008

by JDF on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:17:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What are you talking about? (2.00 / 1)

When he said that not picking Hillary would be fatal, he didn't mean fatal to Obama. It's just that the millions (and millions!) of PUMAs that sit in the dark crying and cutting themselves while hugging their life-size Hillary dolls would be inconsolable and could do something drastic if Obama doesn't pick her.

Won't someone think of the PUMAs!

by TCQuad on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:02:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

PUMA is the new Emo :-) (none / 0)

n/t

"And to my fellow Americans I say this... get off my lawn." John McCain, August 2008

by JDF on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:59:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

The fact that he is taking this long indicates to me it will be somebody totally out of the box or that he is trying to make the Hillary pick feel like a big surprise.

by wasder on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:54:22 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

I get the feeling that HRC was the choice from the git, but this process is being milked for everything it's worth.

Just think about it, if she was announced (or the CW was confirmed) early on, the media and McNumnuts would be pounding her nod during these dog days (and we would never have got that fab Paris ad!!!). Instead, Big-O has played to our hot stove league desires, floated some great (D) names into the national spotlight, and in the end he has some clout in swing states like Indiana and Virginia.

Now, at the last minute he will unite the party with pizazz. This staging feels very Clinton-esque, but done with much more class and style, the way only the Big-O camp can manage.

Wishful thinking?

PEWPEW -- Lasers! -- PEWPEWPEW! David Poore, A Lyttle Lytton contest winner.

by JerryColorado23 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:14:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Yup. It's Hillary.

by Drummond on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 03:26:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Go Clark! Sign the petition at ObamaClark.com and join the Facebook group.

He combines, executive experience, foreign policy experience, southern, latino and religious appeal an more!

Also he could say "John McCain says he knows how to win wars? Well I've actually won them." (1.5 million people saved from genocide, 0 casualties)

Check out the brand new Living Liberally Blog

by Seth Pearce on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:30:03 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Whoever it is, Obama is going to "think it over" during vacation. I'm still thinking it's going to be somebody totally off the radar. It will not be a sitting senator. The Dems need all the votes (60) it can get in the Senate. However, HRC is the choice if it's a senator as her seat is safe for the dems.

by mtndewrob on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:41:38 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Bayh is a safe choice. I still have my money on him.

Would love to see Biden though.

Does anyone else wonder why the heck McCain isn't publicly considering Christine Todd Whitman?

by DrFrankLives on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:54:26 AM EST

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Thats an easy answer: Whittman would be the best choice imaginable and this campaign does not make the best choice imaginable.

"And to my fellow Americans I say this... get off my lawn." John McCain, August 2008

by JDF on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:19:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

bayh would give the campaign a much needed shot of boredom (not sarcasm, serious). he would help counter the celebrity meme. bayh says celebrity the same way fred thompson says triathelete. however, consider this. if there's anything the Obama campaign can do, it's trick the media. take the luring of the reporters on the plane, then leaving without them for example :P. that's why i don't think we should read into any of the signs until an announcement is made.

forive my spellng, i guess dell dosn't think the keys shuld have respod every time you pess don on them

by Doug Tuttle on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:04:30 AM EST

Clinton, Clinton, Clinton (2.00 / 1)

Hillary has quietly published an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal. It bespeaks the exploitation of various crises by Bush's Halliburton buddies for financial benefit, and Hillary's desire to see a return of the "Truman spirit" to the White House.

Let's hope she meant herself in an Obama administration.

I don't know who else as a VP candidate would positively break this tie Obama is experiencing with McCain!

I proudly support Barack Obama for President!

by Zeitgeist9000 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:40:53 AM EST

Biden announced Friday Morning (none / 0)

Biden has been on the national news shows so often he is a known entity who won't need an introduction, so the conflict with the Olympics isn't an issue.

by Davidsfr on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 11:50:52 AM EST

Endorsements (none / 0)

Evan Bayh is extremely popular in Indiana and has deep support from the working class and unions. Bayhs support comes from an attempt by Republicans to pay non-union wages on state contracts when Bayh was governor. Bayh stood up for the unions and against the Republicans and the union wages were kept. Bayh has the loyalty of Indiana workers because Bayh stood up when it counted.

It is a big deal for Obama to have Bayh support him. Bayh won't convince anyone to vote for Obama, but Bayh can get people to consider Obama more seriously. In OH IN MI, Obama needs the unions to be enthusiastically on board.

by bakho on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:52:02 PM EST

Obama will pick... (none / 0)

someone who did not vote for the iraq resolution. he harped about judgement so much, how could he pick someone who voted for the war? (all of his recent flip flops not withstanding)

by darwinism on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:05:34 PM EST

Re: Obama will pick... (none / 0)

If only Bayh wasn't a hawk. If he'd have been a dove, even a quiet dove, I would support him.

Still, he obviously made the calculation that he couldn't win re-election voting against the war. I just wish he had the integrity of his father.

Birch is only 80. Why not Obama / Birch Bayh?

give me a wall! check out one of the best indie bands out of england in a while, ¡Forward, Russia!

by Sean Fitzpatrick on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:15:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Bayh, Then? (none / 0)

Do you think Clinton's web chat has anything to do with an announcement of VP?

by devoted1 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:00:44 PM EST

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