emc
Member
The comments from fellow Hoosiers are interesting, and thought-provoking.
First, I've heard Marvin Scott speak, as well as had the opportunity to meet him (Bayh's Republican opponent last fall), and he's the genuine article. I had the feeling that the state Republican party was spending all of its money on getting Mitch Daniels elected. I do know that Scott drove his own vehicle, and often went to various events held for him totally unaccompanied. No support of any sort that I could see. Given the existing name recognition, the advantage of incumbency, and his successful masquerading as a thoughtful moderate, Scott had an uphill battle against Bayh.
As someone who's much more politically astute than me described it, Bayh's terms as governor were not an accurate indicator of his true beliefs, due to the various constraints that a governor faces, and the fact that there are many issues that simply never cross a governor's desk. Those limitations were gone when he went to Washington. I have noticed that he has adhered to the Democrat party line almost always. When it comes down to the wire, he will do as he is told by the party bosses in the Senate.
Among others, he has voted:
For McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform
For McCain-Lieberman climate stewardship (Kyoto Lite, as it were)
For Renewing the assault weapons ban
For Acquitting Clinton on the perjury charges
Against S.397
As someone who is ambitious, he has studiously avoided making himself available for any sort of in-depth interview. His public appearances are carefully controlled, and he has continually stiffed Greg Garrison (local conservative talk-show host) in regards to being on his program. There is no public access, and no media contact on other than VERY controlled terms.
Can he be beaten? Yes, but it will take some amount of money, and something more than lip service on the part of the Indiana Republican party to do so. Unless we have a candidate who can finance their own campaign, I'm not sure that the party is up to it. They are still of the opinion that Sen. Dick Lugar is a good guy, They have conveniently ignore that he is a pure RINO, having voted in favor of the AWB on both occasions. This tells me that they would rather support someone who is Republican in name only and a supporter of internationalism, as opposed to any sort of true conservative. If they are that clueless, then I'm not optimistic. :banghead:
At least with someone like Kennedy or Schumer, they make no bones as to where they stand. Bay State or Empire State THR members may correct me, but the impression that I have is that neither individual tries to deceive their constituents as to what they are. I cannot say that about Bayh.
FWIW,
emc
First, I've heard Marvin Scott speak, as well as had the opportunity to meet him (Bayh's Republican opponent last fall), and he's the genuine article. I had the feeling that the state Republican party was spending all of its money on getting Mitch Daniels elected. I do know that Scott drove his own vehicle, and often went to various events held for him totally unaccompanied. No support of any sort that I could see. Given the existing name recognition, the advantage of incumbency, and his successful masquerading as a thoughtful moderate, Scott had an uphill battle against Bayh.
As someone who's much more politically astute than me described it, Bayh's terms as governor were not an accurate indicator of his true beliefs, due to the various constraints that a governor faces, and the fact that there are many issues that simply never cross a governor's desk. Those limitations were gone when he went to Washington. I have noticed that he has adhered to the Democrat party line almost always. When it comes down to the wire, he will do as he is told by the party bosses in the Senate.
Among others, he has voted:
For McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform
For McCain-Lieberman climate stewardship (Kyoto Lite, as it were)
For Renewing the assault weapons ban
For Acquitting Clinton on the perjury charges
Against S.397
As someone who is ambitious, he has studiously avoided making himself available for any sort of in-depth interview. His public appearances are carefully controlled, and he has continually stiffed Greg Garrison (local conservative talk-show host) in regards to being on his program. There is no public access, and no media contact on other than VERY controlled terms.
Can he be beaten? Yes, but it will take some amount of money, and something more than lip service on the part of the Indiana Republican party to do so. Unless we have a candidate who can finance their own campaign, I'm not sure that the party is up to it. They are still of the opinion that Sen. Dick Lugar is a good guy, They have conveniently ignore that he is a pure RINO, having voted in favor of the AWB on both occasions. This tells me that they would rather support someone who is Republican in name only and a supporter of internationalism, as opposed to any sort of true conservative. If they are that clueless, then I'm not optimistic. :banghead:
At least with someone like Kennedy or Schumer, they make no bones as to where they stand. Bay State or Empire State THR members may correct me, but the impression that I have is that neither individual tries to deceive their constituents as to what they are. I cannot say that about Bayh.
FWIW,
emc
Last edited:
