The Backlash to Bayh

[PatSeg]

<Every four years, it seems, Evan Bayh's name is floated as a possible vice presidential prospect. We're reminded of his good looks, adorable twins, resume as Governor and Senator from Indiana (where his chief accomplishment was getting re-elected), centrist record and overall "seriousness."

But a backlash is brewing against Bayh among grassroots Obama supporters, who want their candidate to pick a running mate who didn't enthusiastically support the war in Iraq, hasn't positioned himself as a leading hawk on Iran and wasn't chairman of the pro-corporate Democratic Leadership Council.>

snip

<If Obama wanted a seasoned Washington insider and foreign policy hand, he'd be much better off picking Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden. Yes, Biden supported the war but he also introduced a compromise that might've stopped it. As EJ Dionne argued, he knows more about foreign policy that anyone in the Senate and would be a terrific attack dog against McCain. He knows how to pass legislation and get things done in Washington. He's often a loose cannon, but the Obama campaign could keep him on message for two or three months. His background is Catholic and blue-collar and he was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Think of him as a more benevolent Dick Cheney.

Bayh adds virtually nothing to Obama and would present a number of significant drawbacks. Biden is just the opposite.>

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/344706

[jillan]

1. And there's our buddy EJ rushing to Biden's defense.

(I'm still in shock!)

The Nation has been talking about Biden alot in the past few days.
Love it!

[PatSeg]

8. He is surprisingly supportive

Google him with Biden's name and you uncover a plethora of positive articles.

[Sidney J Mussburger]

2. I agree, Bayh would be a horrible choice

Biden or Clark would be my picks.

[Larkspur]

3. Biden voted for the Iraq war too

but Biden would be a better attack dog against the Repukes than Bayh.

[wyldwolf]

4. One thing seems clear

grassroots Obama supporters may not want it, but Obama sure wants a DLCer on the ticket.

Bayh
Nunn
Kaine
Warner
... the list goes on and on.

[gateley]

5. I think Obama will almost to be forced to look at

an FP heavy as a result of the Russia/Georgia situation.

That means Clark, Biden or Richardson -- even if they hadn't been at the top of his list before.

This is the issue the Reps will be focusing on, and we need to be ready. I don't think Bayh has the credentials in that area. Certainly not on the level of Clark, Biden or Richardson.

[Thrill]

6. Bayh is a popular former Governor, but my wife who is a huge Obama supporter from the beginning

would have a very serious problem with that pick. My guess is many other women would as well.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

7. This woman agrees with your wife. nt