Bye-Bayh: Sen. Evan Bayh to Retire
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein and Jonathan Karl report: Sen. Evan Bayh will announce today that he’s not seeking another Senate term — handing Republicans a huge opportunity to pick up another Senate seat in 2010.
Bayh, D-Ind., plans to announce his decision at a news conference this afternoon in Indianapolis, according to two Democratic officials familiar with his plans.
The decision blows a sizeable hole in the Democrats’ 2010 lineup, in a state that Republicans have long eyed as a prime pick-up opportunity. The retirement is likely to intensify chatter about the GOP’s chances to take over the Senate this year.
"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," Bayh plans to say, according to excerpts obtained by The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza.
Republicans recently coaxed former Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., into running for Bayh’s seat, which he held before Bayh was elected to two terms. Coats’ candidacy got off to a slow start, with questions about his lobbying clients and his residency, though Bayh’s exit makes this a much easier race for any Republican.
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The ship of state is losing its crew.
That’s usually the captain’s fault.
Posted by: Sir Toby Belch | February 15, 2010, 10:58 am 10:58 am
It’s Bush’s fault.
Posted by: freedom | February 15, 2010, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Man the dems are dropping like flies. Guess its best to retire rather than risk loseing all that pension money. Do you think the dems have gotten the hint that America is sick and tired of their in it for themselves attitude? My biggest wish is to see Pelosi and Reid run while the running is good. Come on California and Nevada! show some power in the people and get rid of President Pelosi and her puppet Reid. It would most likly help Obama if you did.
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 15, 2010, 11:06 am 11:06 am
And another one bites the dust – Queen.
Posted by: freedom | February 15, 2010, 11:07 am 11:07 am
Wow, must be nice having barrels of cash lying around.
RT
Posted by: Justin Wirght | February 15, 2010, 11:09 am 11:09 am
Rather than run for reelection and take a chance on being defeated, he is choosing the “discretion is the better part of valor” approach and admitting that he probably couldn’t beat any candidate.
Good move Senator “Good-Bayh”!
Posted by: American ex-Pat | February 15, 2010, 11:09 am 11:09 am
Senator Bayh knows that with Reid and the current Senate leadership the Dems are in trouble. In top of that there is not leadership coming from the WH either! How come Obama and his Chicago boys make a mistake to let Reid and Pelosi shape his agenda in health care, jobs,etc. Of course Obama was more interested in going around the Globe to feel the crowds adorations instead of rolling up the sleeves and be a leader.
Oh..I forgot Obama never led anything! my bad, lol.
Posted by: Carson, Illinois | February 15, 2010, 11:10 am 11:10 am
His pockets must be full of tax payer money, so why stay? If only Nancy Pelosi would take the hint and retire.
Posted by: Willie12345 | February 15, 2010, 11:11 am 11:11 am
Too bad all these libs are taking the easy way out and quiting instead of getting beat at the polls. Looks like the tea party is shaking things up there in Washington. Why doesnt barry husein obama take an early retirement the american people would gladly pay his severence pay.
Posted by: Stanley | February 15, 2010, 11:16 am 11:16 am
He was easily winning his reelection fight against a weak GOP opponent, so that should have been no reason to pull out. Did he see troubles in the polls the rest of us are not aware of?
This is an unbelievable boost for Republicans.
Posted by: matt | February 15, 2010, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Interesting to see so many not seeking reelection. It seems they are getting the hint that incumbents are in danger.
Posted by: lfrichar | February 15, 2010, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Yet there are STILL a few more Republican than Democrat seats up for grabs this November in Congress. Due either to retirements, or members running for different offices (i.e. a Senator running for Governor). There will likely be even more as November approaches. Should be a wild ride…!
Posted by: SearamblerOne | February 15, 2010, 11:17 am 11:17 am
That was a great move Bayh – Marsha Coakley (D) Mass.
Posted by: freedom | February 15, 2010, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Bayh was pretty much a republican anyway. Maybe now we can get a REAL democrat in that seat!
Posted by: IndigoS | February 15, 2010, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Don’t have a problem with it and certainly liked the Clinton years with a Rep Congress. However how soon we forget that the Reps were voted out because no one was happy with them. So I guess people think replacing Dems with Republicans is somehow a fix. Putting back what didn’t work before and doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. This great country and its voters sometimes make no since at all.
Posted by: CA | February 15, 2010, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Gee Whiz, just think of how well you might have done with Obama-Biden coming to Indiana to campaign for you. Evan, you could have done as well as Marsha, I mean Martha Coakley.
Posted by: pauldia | February 15, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Maybe if we are lucky, EVERY incumbent running in November will save us the trouble of having to BOOT THEM OUT! We have had TOO MANY politicians OVERSTAYING their WELCOME. IT is time to clean house. They are out of touch, they care nothing but getting reelected and have no clue what they are up their for anymore. Let’s send them ALL HOME in November.
Posted by: ajax | February 15, 2010, 11:27 am 11:27 am
He’s a republicrat anyway. I say good riddance!
Posted by: rightbehind | February 15, 2010, 11:30 am 11:30 am
YAY!!!! Let the exodus continue!
Posted by: JustMe | February 15, 2010, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Pretty funny to read some of these posts. The Democrate is retiring so he does not have to face defeat and the humiliation of it so now you lefties call him a Republican. Perhaps he should just switch parties? If he was one do you not think he would?? He is scared and knows the dems are doomed
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 15, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am
Wow! The dems are dropping like flies!
Posted by: LongT | February 15, 2010, 11:35 am 11:35 am
rightbehind; But a republicrat is better than a republican..right? Sounds like sour grapes…
Posted by: LongT | February 15, 2010, 11:36 am 11:36 am
I can’t wait until the republicans take back over and begin to do more of what lead to this ugly recession. It makes sense to me to blame it all on the other party and then replace it with the same thing. Well, not really.
Posted by: secondlook | February 15, 2010, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Why are prominent Dems leaving? — It’s either “lose your soul” to the pressure of the far-left liberals like Obama, Emmanuel, Holder… or get out!! — Bayh has been a fiscally conservative senator for 12 years, and a two-term IN governor before that — Think about that, it takes a LOT to get a politician like this to give it all up!!! — The Obama administration is already in “lameduck” mode, and we haven’t even had the Nov elections yet!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 11:37 am 11:37 am
I live in Bayh’s district. He wasn’t at risk. He’s probably quitting to take some really well paying health job. After all, that industry owns him and his wife.
Posted by: secondlook | February 15, 2010, 11:39 am 11:39 am
WHAT’S CHANCES THIS DECISION IS INFLUENCED BY THE EXPOSURE THAT HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE BEEN ON THE TEET OF THE PHARMA GROUPS.SO MUCH FOR HIS SQUEEKY CLEAN IMAGE.
Posted by: JOHN | February 15, 2010, 11:40 am 11:40 am
Hello Arlene Spector……
Posted by: freedom | February 15, 2010, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Secondlook — I had no idea you were a Hoosier! — Looks like there can be many varied opinions in the same state! — I believe Bayh was in trouble, many voters really noticed his “short-lived” opposition to healthcare reform. I believe the radical left in the Dem party told him “play our game or we’ll make sure you are not re-elected!” — He has enough integrity to choose to get out rather than play their “games”.
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 11:47 am 11:47 am
TheLoyal – Integrity? HUH? If you think his stance on health care was due to ideology vs. the fact he’s on their payroll I have a bridge to sell you. Complete conflict of interest there. And what’s with your party moving far right and yet proclaiming the left is bad due to being left? What makes you think far anything is attractive or not part of the big problem in this country? This extreme fighting is ruining my country period.
Posted by: secondlook | February 15, 2010, 11:55 am 11:55 am
Indeed, this is good news, not necessarily for Republicans but for the
November election process at large.
Virginia, New Jersey and now my home
state of Massachusetts. These are the
fateful harbingers of the political
upset for Democrats nationwide.
In California’s 8th District, the man to
watch is John Dennis. Get behind him and
defeat Pelosi in November.
Posted by: Popham | February 15, 2010, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Psst. Everybody. Let’s vote back in the ones that are the biggest reason for this deficit and fix this mess! Sign, a former Bush voter.
Posted by: secondlook | February 15, 2010, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
another large news site stated he seldom participated and merely showed up for voting, further claiming he spent alot of time at sporting events and his children… giving clues, he could care less.
so…. bye bye..
i like the phrase.. another bites the dust.
someone should do a study.. how many have ‘fallen’, now for Reid and (Pelosi?)
Posted by: geeohman | February 15, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
Incumbents feeling the heat. Likely that they don’t want to face the music for the way their lobbying business has been conducted over the years. Americans finally asking why should I suffer for damages caused by my corrupted government? Republicans can capitalize, but if they have “questions about lobbying clients” then they go in the can also. It’s all about purging corruption. R’s and D’s are deeply into bribes and freebies. Time these rats are made to pay the piper. Re-member in November.
Posted by: justanotheropinion123 | February 15, 2010, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
There are still way number of Republicans leaving congress.
The Democrats are leaving because Obama is the worst President ever. Keith Olberman should make him the Worst Person in the World for not having a backbone to stand up to the GOP, Pelosi, and Reid.
Posted by: JY | February 15, 2010, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
What do Dems Evan Bayh, Patrick Kennedy, Chris Dodd, Byron Dorgan, and Ted Kaufman know that Obama doesn’t?? — his Lame-duck status!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
Like rats fleeing the sinking ship of state!
Posted by: tillyerkt | February 15, 2010, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
IndigoS
What is a “real” democrat stand for???
Enlighten us.
Posted by: tony f | February 15, 2010, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
secondlook —- Bayh is fiscally conservative, he battled the reform provisions for allowing government-funded abortions, he was not a fan of the “public option” — He didn’t like the healthcare reform bill much!! — His wife’s position? — What Senator doesn’t have healthcare lobbyists trying to influence votes — Bayh just slept with his!! Ha-ha!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
Bayh is so hated in our state now that it’s a wonder he’s even coming back to make the announcement–and a wonder that he remembers *where* the state is located. (He doesn’t come back to Indiana when Congress is in recess and doesn’t accept phone calls or visits from his constituents.) Senators are supposed to represent their state in Congress. Well, Hoosiers hated TARP and told him to vote NO. We told him to vote NO on the stimulus package and mandatory health insurance. He voted YES because he just give a rat’s * about Indiana. Good riddance, you jerk.
Posted by: Mrs. Ward | February 15, 2010, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
I think we should start over with all congressman and senators. My five point plan:
1) term limits(we should start by throwing all present members out).
2) no lawyers allowed(seems like a conflict of interest allowing them to write our laws).
3) make them buy their own health insurance(maybe they’ll get a clue).
4) no pension plan(if we do term limits, this won’t be a career anyway).
5) when we get these new congressman and senators-make them balance the budget.
Posted by: tony f | February 15, 2010, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
He’s a republicrat. No loss
Posted by: rightbehind | February 15, 2010, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
The difference between the Clinton years and now with Obama is that Clinton was a hands-on President. Obama just like to show up and photo opportunities…the guy still learning the ropes. How come we elected an inexperienced President at this critical time.
Hope that hope-y and change-y are working for you? You can change when you know how to lead. Obama only knows how to read and talk and talk, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of Dems and old Republican leadership are way to partisan. We need to get rid of all of them. Bring new people!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 15, 2010, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
I say get rid of ALL incumbents. Both dem and rep. Start with a new batch.
Posted by: Brandon | February 15, 2010, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
TheLoyal – You’re seriously going to sit here and take up for this? Because they all do it? Wrong answer.
Posted by: secondlook | February 15, 2010, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
The rats are abandoning the ship. What will Obama do?????
Posted by: Sandi | February 15, 2010, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
Anybody Notice?? —- Behind closed doors and with no cameras present, President Obama signed into law Friday afternoon (when stories get buried) the bill raising the public debt limit from $12.394 trillion to $14.294 trillion.
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
I live in Indiana and feel that Senator Bayh has represented our state well. Indiana is a conservative state and Evan has reflected this. (FYI…I am a republican both voted twice for Mr. Bayh)
Posted by: IndyReader | February 15, 2010, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
secondlook — I am not patting anybody on the back for listening to lobbyist, I should have followed the statement with “that is why we should vote them all out” — but I WAS responding to those that the first think they write about Bayh is that his wife’s job is in the insurance industry!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
I guess the past “posters” know there isn’t “retirement” in elected positions of Congress, right? You either run for election to win or choose not to run once your pension is secured and have something else to do once home. I still feel the Constitution should impose term limits on our elected officials. The excuse of allowing the voters to decide just “doesn’t fly” in today’s society, actually it never DID but the voters were told it was how they could have a say in government. BULL! At any rate, the Democrats have never been as strong as the Republicans, it’s only their leadership pulling the strings. As others suggested, get rid of those at the top and the rest of the party may be able to work better with those across the aisle.
Posted by: Notthewholetruth | February 15, 2010, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
TheLoyalOpposition — Obama is sticking by his “sometimes we have to make unpopular decisions” theory. The difference, the popular decisions are televised, the unpopular ones’ are not.
Posted by: lfrichar | February 15, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Bayh was pretty much a republican anyway. Maybe now we can get a REAL democrat in that seat!
Posted by: IndigoS
*********
You might want to check his voting record. TARP – Yes. Stimulus – Yes. Healtcare bribe – Yes. Not very republican of him.
I think he is trying to distance himself from the party now because he wants to run for President and he knows this administration is ignoring the majority of We the People.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | February 15, 2010, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
TheLoyalOpposition — Obama is sticking by his “sometimes we have to make unpopular decisions” theory. The difference, the popular decisions are televised, the unpopular ones’ are not.
Posted by: lfrichar
**********
One more observation… The unpopular ones are always signed late Friday. By Monday, when most people are back to watching the nightly news, it is not “news” anymore, so it is not covered.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | February 15, 2010, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
I wish my two Senators would resign.If you look in ditionary under incompetence you will see Minnesota has both male and female version.
Posted by: Jeff Bur | February 15, 2010, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
Looks like OBUMER takes down another Democrat…Obumer is killing moderate democrats…The Clown Obama needs to GO !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
This is all about The HOPEY CHANGEY Big MOUTH , Obama ..
This OBAMA is all talk and many lies..He has no plans and no direction..The US is in trouble…
Give me George Bush !!!!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Like the Republicans are a better choice? Remember W! Wow what great times!
Posted by: Bob T | February 15, 2010, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
Health Care on CSPAN Obama LIED
GITMO closing OBAMA LIED
TAX on middle class…Looks like OBAMA is ready to lie again…
America this hope and change crap is wearing thin..
I now have NO HOPE and only CHANGE in my pockets…
OBAMA said give me 780 BILLION dollars and the unemployment rete will not go above 8%….LIE, LIE,LIE,
All Obama does is LIE and his PLANS for TAXES is killing JOBS….
Climate Change is also becoming a crock of lies …Read the Times…
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Acorn stole enough VOTES to put the Comedian Moron Senator from Minnesota…
Al Fraken in office. Franken is a FOOL and a JERK !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Do you know how to tell when Obama is lying ? When his lips are moving …
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
Thank you ABC for giving average people a way to speak…Thank you
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2010, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
CA: I couldn’t agree more. The Republicans were awful and we voted them out, now we’re voting out the Dems and replacing them with what? What didn’t work before? Maybe it’s us just liking to fight. We’re more like a group of tailgaters cheering for our “teams” than an educated populace! I say term limits for Congress. TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS!!
Posted by: JJL2010 | February 15, 2010, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
JJL2010 —- I agree, we need a whole new way of considering budgets — Here’s proof! —- Since 12/31/1980, the deficit has increased from $930B to $12.3T. — During that time, when the control of the House and Senate was split, the deficit increased $1.7T — when congress was all GOP, the deficit increased by $3.3T — and when congress was all Dem, the deficit went up $6.4T. —-TERM LIMITS!!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 15, 2010, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Senator Bayh sold out the country on Health Care and now wants to quit before his constituents toss him out on the street for screwing the over. Coward…there is no other name for him.
Posted by: alwriter | February 15, 2010, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Ironically, what I haven’t seen in the newspaper is all the Republicans that are leaving political office…Representatives and Senators. It seems that more of them have announced retirement than Democrats, yet ABCNews (a Fox wannabe) seems to forget those stories….
Posted by: alwriter | February 15, 2010, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
BAYH DOESN’T WANT TO BE AROUND WHEN THE DEFICATION HITS THE ROTARY OSCILLATOR. LIKE RATS DESERTING A SINKING SHIP. RUN BAH RUN! RUN DEMOCRATS RUN! KEEP THE HEAT ON! DON’T LET UP ONE BIT! TAKE THIS COUNTRY BACK FROM THESE LOW LIFE SOCIALISTS!
Posted by: b house | February 15, 2010, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Even elected representative politicians can’t find footing to represent their constituents in the political parties. The Democrats leadership is deaf or indifferent to the core values of Americans and the Republicans are trying to jump onto the Independent band wagon to hijack it. The 2010 elections belong to Independent Americans and will elect Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Third Party candidates that are most likely to represent them.
Posted by: TX_MBell | February 16, 2010, 7:19 am 7:19 am
I think people are so funny No jobs food oil electric prices skyrocketing and who cares dem or republican, why can’t we find someone who are for the people of america, someone who will work to create jobs, i drive a truck we grow food in this country to be shipped overseas and our food is from peru mexico and people wonder, and oil thats a joke of its own…people are so ate up with blaming..get someone who cares
Posted by: tracy | February 16, 2010, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm