Don't Pull Out! (a.k.a. Presidentus Interruptus)

Tragically, I must report... that he pulled out. And not much sooner than he put in.

Alright sickos, I am referring to Evan Bayh (see below). Having put his name in the Presidential arena and raised over $10 million, Senator Bayh has determined that alot of the money and supporters he would approach in the future are already committed to another, eh hem, "person" in his party.

So despite having moderate views and a wealth of experience, not to mention the ability to carry his own Red state, Mr. Bayh will be gracefully bowing out.

It's a sad day.

But it ain't no lie, baby, Bayh, Bayh, Bayh

My fellow Hoosier, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), recently announced that he plans to form a presidential exploratory committee enabling him to raise money to run for president. Bayh is a moderate Democrat who has been elected five times in my lovely Hoosier State.

If Bayh runs against Rudy G. and/or Mr. McCain I will have a heck of a time deciding on who to vote for. While I am registered Republican, I view party labels as just that... labels. They are arbitrary and capricious. I do not agree with what either side says or does on every issue. I agree with different sides on different things. Unfortunately our political system is a two-party system. Any third party that tries to gain legs gets devoured and consumed by one of the big two. I don't like it, but it's reality.

As for those three candidates, they all break their party's mold in one way or another. They do not always cowtow to the whim of the party. They do what is best in their opinions. They are liberal in some ways, conservative in others. Let us not confuse liberalism and conservatism with party affiliation. They are political philosophies/tendencies not some group that makes bumper stickers.

So while I typically vote red, here is why I would be Blue for Bayh:

1) Senator Bayh was a wildly popular and successful governor and he left office with an approval rating of at least 70% or higher. That is ridiculously high for anyone, let alone a demo in a repub state.

2) While serving as Governor of Indiana, Bayh signed into law the largest single tax cut in state history, had the largest budget surplus in state history, and helped bring in 375,000 new jobs.

3) Governor Bayh insituted the 21st Century scholars program and Indiana went from 40th to 17th in education as a result of the initiative.

4) As a governor AND senator, Evan Bayh has been a strong supporter of social security.

5) Bayh is pro-choice and is of the "safe, legal, and rare" ideology.

6) And not that I give a rat's ass what Slick Willy thinks, he did say, while President, "I tell you that I hope and expect some day I'll be voting for Evan Bayh for President of the United States."

Why Bayh can, and maybe should win? He's a strong centrist, which may ultimately be a hurdle when it comes to the nomination but voters who don't like Sen. Clinton (and there are ALOT of them) will likely vote for him. The moderate vote is key to winning back the White House for the Demos. And carrying Indiana and it's paltry 11 electoral votes would be something amazing since it has carried the Reds for as long as I can remember.

So go Evan! I wish you the best. I think you would be a very neutral president that holds the concerns of the US and its citizens in the highest regard, even if your party did not agree.