Will Bayh run in 2012?

[Poundingtherock]

As a third-party candidate or challenge Obama in the primaries?

[Psychic Octopus]

Probably not, but it would be funny.

[Bo]

Probably not, but it would be funny.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[sentinel]

Bayh was very close to being VP in 2008. I doubt he would run, I think he is too loyal to the party --and to the President.

[Poundingtherock]

If he really was that loyal to the party and President, he wouldn't have resigned in the manner that he did without giving everyone advance notice.

[California8429]

he can run 2012 or never. He can't ever run for office again, especially President. Quiting instead of fighting, especially when dems control Congress, the White House, and had a fililbuster proof Senate for 1 year and still did nothing.

[Eraserhead]

Well, he can't run in the primary. It'd be a complete waste of time and money. He could run as an independent in the general but he'd run into a few problems there too.

1. Nobody cares about him at all outside of Indiana.
2. Nobody would be likely to ever care about him because he is about as fascinating as a cardboard box.
3. He just sucks.

[sentinel]

If he really was that loyal to the party and President, he wouldn't have resigned in the manner that he did without giving everyone advance notice.

I meant loyal to the party in the sense that he won't challenge Obama.

He didn't resign by the way, he just said he wouldn't run again, but yeah he should have done it earlier.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I think Democrats nationwide would never support Bayh.

1. DINO
2. Bastart gave up safe seat

[ajc0918]

Do you think he is retiring on purpose?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Do you think he is retiring on purpose?

If you mean is he being forced out?  By whom?

As for 2012, he probably won't run, but I bet Obama has it tickling the back of his mind that Bayh just might do it........

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

If he does he'll be a joke candidate who would go nowhere.

[Akno21]

Any primary challenge to Obama would have to be from the left, not that one is forthcoming or one would have any chance of success. What base exactly would Bayh figure to draw on were he to challenge Obama in a primary?

And as a third party candidate? He's just not that much of a rebel.

I figure Bayh simply didn't want to be involved in politics anymore, and he didn't really care enough about the Democratic party nationally to consider whether the timing of his retirement hurt it politically. Evan Bayh was useful as a Democrat who could win statewide in Indiana. Outside of that, he's wholly nondescript and nothing for either side to worry about.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It's remotely possible that he could run as the lower half of a centrist/independent/bipartisan ticket.  Something along the lines of Bloomberg/Bayh.  Not that I anticipate such a ticket having much success, nor would I expect a serious third option arising.  However if both the Republicans and Democrats continue in their current paths, maybe by 2016, but by then Bayh will be too long gone to have much hope of being more than a cabinet secretary if a third option won.

[Sasquatch]

No.


I like my 3rd party candidates to be crazy and radical.

[Max Electric]

I believe that Bayh is earnest (far too earnest to have ever succeeded on the national stage), and his retirement lacks any sort of ulterior agenda. Basically, he's pulling a Bill Bradley: "I give up. Just... just f*** it."

As for his future? If a Democrat is elected in 2016, he could be Ambassador to Indiana, I hear they love him there.

[nhmagic]

Replacement for Biden?

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

No Bayh is pretty intelligent, so he'd know it's just a waste of money. Maybe if he becomes Governor again he'll run in 2016.

I like my 3rd party candidates to be crazy and radical.

You don't get enough of that from the two main candidates?

[Electric Feel]

A primary challenge to Obama from the center would gain no traction whatsoever. If there is a third party challenger, it will have to be from the left.

[JSojourner]

Any primary challenge to Obama would have to be from the left, not that one is forthcoming or one would have any chance of success. What base exactly would Bayh figure to draw on were he to challenge Obama in a primary?

And as a third party candidate? He's just not that much of a rebel.

What about as a Republican?

[milhouse24]

I think Bayh will run for governor in 2012 and for president in 2016.  But he might sit out 2012 and just start in Iowa immediately afterwards.  I know he wants to be President or Vice President, but that will have to wait until 2016.  However, I think Obama will be in a tough fight in 2012 in the general.

[Lunar]

Bayh's election timing couldn't have gone better for the Democratic Party, if the Republicans thought it'd be an open seat race, they would have run Pence who would likely beat anyone the Democrats can name.  This way the Democrats get a chance at a has-been like Coats.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Yes for Governor of Indiana, the seat which he is still eligible.