Is Evan Bayh really the most electable Democrat?

[Democratic Hawk]

Bayh was elected Indiana Secretary of State in 1986 and governor in 1988 in close contests - but his re-election as governor and both Senate contests have seen him averaging around 63% of the vote

Bayh enjoys the support of around 35% of Indiana's Republicans and 45% of her evangelical Christians; percentages most Democrats could only dream of!

In sum, I think Bayh is electable as President. However, some would say he's not too charismatic but he's certainly telegenic

Ideologically, Bayh is pretty close to the centre - a man capable of reaching out to moderate conservatives (and 'Main Street' values) without alienating liberals

In 2008, should he seek and obtain the Democratic nomination and face a conservative Republican, I reckon Bayh would win comfortably

The only downer is that sitting senators don't tend to be elected President; however, Bayh was a two-term governor with a sound executive record. A criticism is that he never really used his political capital in Indiana; however, I believe governing in a cautious, as opposed to risky, fashion is a positive attribute. Besides, after eight years of Bush ruling from the ideological right, America will be ready for more moderate and steady pair of hands come 2008

Bayh is one of the best prospects that Democrats have to  be elected President. Because he's a moderate, he has the capacity to be a uniter and not a divider in that he has strong bi-partisan appeal

I guess he could secure over 90% of the Democratic vote, 60% of independent vote and 15% of the Republican vote; as well as most liberals, most moderates and a significant number of conservatives

He's a strong Democrat from the "red" state of Indiana. His vote actually topped that of Bush (by around 18,000) when he was re-elected to the Senate

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

Indiana's a lot more Republican than Arkansas.

He has amazingly high approval ratings. Arkansas is more conservative than Indiana, but still. Arkansas was Clinton's best state - he won it with over 60%.

Bayh could carry Indiana, I'd say about 55-45.

I think Bayh would carry his home state. He fares pretty well among Indiana's Republicans and conservatives. He would have a pretty good chance of sweeping the entire Midwest region, with the possible exception of Kentucky (although Clinton carried it by are pluralities)

Dave