What will Bayh do in the senate re-medicare?

[salin]

Bayh - former (centrist) governor of Indiana (2 terms); Exceptionally popular - so much so that the sitting repub senator (Coats) decided to retire rather than run as an incumbent against Bayh in 1998. But Bayh has moved further right since 2000. Further than the rest of the Indiana dem delegation (including fellow centrist Baron Hill.) He has a broad cushion of support in Indiana - and is in no danger for re-election.

But Bayh - represents the state and home of Eli Lilly. Often supports pharma accordingly.

However - the house votes shows some interesting things - all three democrats (including blue-dog/centrist Baron Hill) voted against the Medicare bill. And two conservative democrats - including one representing suburban Indy (and many Lilly employees) - Burton and Hostettler voted against the bill. Thus 5/9 House members voted AGAINST medicare.

The only explanation for Bayh's rightward drift (again - more rightward than other dems in teh state - and far more than needed to retain security for re-election) is that he no longer views Hoosier voters as his constituents, and is no longer focused solely on reelection in Indiana. His profile as DLC chair (esp with the fundraising side of things) suggests that he has aspirations to run for higher office - without the ego that might make him shy away from a VP offer.

Any predictions? How will Bayh vote on Medicare?

It should be noted that Bayh does sometimes do the right thing. He supported the fillibuster on the energy bill. He has resisted some of the silly orwellian moves from the WH. WHile he frustrates us at times, he is NO Zell Miller. Makes the predicting game a little bit harder.

[jiacinto]

1. Then who do you want to replace him?

If you are so anti-Bayh then who are you going to have replace him who can win an election in Indiana? I really would like to know.

By the way, why does Indiana have such an early poll closing?

[salin]

4. carlos - did you even read my post?

geez. Yours was a knee jerk response that had nothing to do with a word I had written. Please respond to my content - question. THank you.

In case you missed it - I state clearly that he will be reelected. I pointed out that he is not ZigZagZell.

I also pointed out that this is a hard one to predict due to... the things I posted (eg how the indiana congressional delegation voted).

[jiacinto]

10. All of your posts you attack Bayh

You attack him to death every time you post here.

[buddhamama]

13. and you exaggerate everytime you post

far be for it to speak for salin, but as a reader of DU, one who has great respect for salin- read her posts when i see them- i know your "attack" on her to be nothing but utter BS!

[salin]

14. right - I am sure everyone who reads you and who reads I

will attest that I go around attacking people viciously and repeatedly. That I never give reasoned context and analytical points that, frankly, are widely discussed in this state among political types of all stripes. Yep - you called it. :eyes:

[buddhamama]

2. hi salin,

i am going to go out on a limb here and say there is a slim chance that Bayh will vote against.

from what i understand of last night's vote, once the Democrats who voted for the Bill realized it might pass in the second round tried to switch their vote but it was too late.

there could be pressure from the party on Bayh.
the DEMs don't want to give a win to Bush but at the same time they don't want to look anti-senoirs.

(you already know all this.)

we'll have to wait and see.

[buddhamama]

6. think i was wrong

changed my mind, i think he'll vote for it.

[salin]

8. I do to... but hope I am wrong

and if he does it will be due to a combination of: influence by Pharma; and fear of perception that to vote against is actually working against seniors' interests (orwellian GOP tactics). Again this wouldn't hurt him in Indiana - but I do believe he is shooting for higher office.

[IndianaGreen]

3. I am not voting for that sob in 2004

Bayh's vote for the so-called "partial-birth" abortion ban was the last straw.

Republican Dick Lugar is better to his Hoosier constituents than Bayh is to his.

Bayh has used his father's reputation and name to further his career, but he is no Birch Bayh.

[salin]

5. IG - while he frustrates the heck out of me

and I do NOT want him to get a VP nod... he does on occaission still vote the way we would like. Note his support of the energy fillibuster - one or two more dem defections - and the bill would be able to be brought to cloture and passage.

So here is an even stickier bill. But the House folks peeled away from Lilly. I ask the question because I am really not sure what he will do.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Any word on what his specific objection was to the bill?

[salin]

9. I haven't read a thing about where he is on this bill.

But found the overall indiana delegation in the house vote to be very interesting. I would have assumed Bayh would be for this (for reasons stated above) - but am not so sure given the stand against the bill by the Hoosier dems (including Baron Hill). Am going off line - but if anyone has anything giving an indication of where he stands on this - I would be very interested to read it a bit later today.

[Nlighten1]

11. Bayh is a huge disappointment.

I liked him as Gov but as a Senator he has really screwed the US. I predict he will vote yes on the Medicare bill.

[diamondsoul]

12. Agreed, BUT I think he'll vote no.

I hope he'll vote no. Feck it I'm calling again right now.

[salin]

15. I am with you - hoping he votes no... and thinking that yesterday's house

vote might push him in that direction were he already wavering (all three dems voted no, and 2 of the repubs voted no.)