Bayh makes a big move and why Wes is more
Who dared speak these words in public? It was Indiana Senator Evan Bayh who wowed the audience at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's fall fundraising dinner. The others at the dinner were 600 of the most active Democrats in the state that holds the first presidential primary. This is significant. Three of the previous speakers, at this juncture in preparation for a presidential run, were Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Edwards. Each of these men ended up on the ticket. And while Gore lost to Bush in 2000 (according to a biased Supreme Court) and Edwards was also a loser to the First Shrub as the VP nominee, this does bode well for Bayh and the Democrats.
From the Indianapolis Star, here are some of the important people in New Hampshire and their connections to Evan Bayh.
Bill and Jean Shaheen. Why they're important: Bill, an attorney, and Jean, a former three-term governor, are at the top of the New Hampshire Democrat power list. Both backed the party's winning candidates in the 2000 and 2004 primaries. Jean Shaheen's endorsement of John Kerry was particularly helpful to his campaign. Shaheen, who became the national chair of Kerry's campaign, is also a strong organizer, although she is now in a nonpartisan role as director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard.Bayh connection: Bayh raised more than $46,000 for Jean Shaheen's unsuccessful 2002 Senate race.
Gov. John Lynch. Why he's important: Lynch is the top elected Democrat in the state. Potential Democratic candidates are courting him. Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold visited him during a recent New Hampshire trip and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has helped him raise funds. Lynch's two-year term is up in 2006 and his influence in 2008 obviously depends on whether he is re-elected.Bayh connection: Bayh met privately with Lynch during a July trip to New Hampshire.
State Sen. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord. Why she's important: Larsen, a party activist since the 1970s, is the leader of state Senate Democrats. She was an early supporter of Kerry in 2004 and is watching carefully to see if Kerry decides to run again but won't necessarily stick with him if he does.Bayh connection: Larsen has known Bayh for several years and Bayh attended a July fundraiser for Senate Democrats held in Larsen's home.
State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester. Why he's important: D'Allesandro is one of the most senior Democrats in the state Senate and represents Manchester, the largest city. His backing of John Edwards in 2004 was Edward's top endorsement in the state. Edwards came to New Hampshire this year to attend a fundraiser for D'Allesandro. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden invited him to lunch earlier this year.Bayh connection: D'Allesandro remembers Bayh's father and said he gets notes from Bayh from time to time.
State Rep. Jim Craig, D-Manchester. Why he's important: Craig is the leader of state House Democrats. He backed Dick Gephardt in 2004.Bayh connection: Bayh planned to talk with Craig this weekend.
Manchester Mayor Bob Baines. Why he's important: Baines, who was a 2000 delegate for Gore and backed Kerry in 2004, is mayor of the state's largest city. Baines, who is up for re-election this year, has gotten campaign help from Kerry, Feingold, Biden, and Christie Vilsack, wife of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.Bayh connection: Bayh plans to campaign door-to-door for Baines Sunday.
Ray Buckley, vice chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party and head of Manchester Democrats. Why he's important: Buckley is a prominent Democrat in Manchester, the state's largest city. Buckley backed Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman in 2004 and campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who bested Birch Bayh in the 1976 primary.Bayh connection: Have known each other a while and talk periodically.
Pat Russell, state liquor commissioner. Why she's important: The former state representative, 12-year member of the Democratic National Committee, and former mayor of Keene is from one of the state's strongest Democratic areas. She endorsed Kerry in 2004.Bayh connection: As a college student campaigning for his father's 1976 presidential bid, Bayh stayed in Russell's home. She hosted a meet-and-greet for Bayh in Keene in July.
Kathy Sullivan, chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. Why she's important: As head of the party, Sullivan must stay neutral. But she has held the position since 1999 and if she steps down when her current term ends in 2007, she can endorse a 2008 candidate.Bayh connection: Bayh and Sullivan have met.
Nick Clemons, executive director of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. Why he's important: In Clemons' current position, he can't work for a candidate. But he was the New Hampshire field director for Kerry's primary campaign, ran his state campaign in the general election, and would be a top campaign aide to snag if he works for a candidate for the 2008 primary.Bayh connection: Clemons invited Bayh to speak at Saturday's dinner.
The Republicans have done much to damage the psyche of the American public, especially middle America which tends to believe the President would not deceive citizens. It was these same citizens who took so long to believe Richard Nixon had committed any crimes. And it is also these very same citizens who will be voting in 2008. The truth is, the atmosphere in the Red States make it nearly impossible for John Kerry or any other perceived über liberal to win in 2008. That's exactly why it is so important for us to make sure we have a candidate who would be more palatable to the moderates, undecideds and perhaps a few from the Republican base.
We know there are plenty of Republicans who feel disenfranchised from their own party because of the way Bush has been running the country, and when Bush comes to shove these same people would be more likely to vote for Bayh or Gen. Wesley Clark than almost any of the other possible candidates with the exception of Hillary Clinton . . . who is still an unknown quantity to many on the right. Many of them still see her as the wife of their hated enemy. The man who defeated Bush One and made Kenneth Starr do all that hard work. Most are not convinced she really is a moderate or centrist candidate. So like I said, that leaves Evan and Wes - or maybe Wes and Evan. No matter which way you slice it, this is the recipe for success. A Senator from Indiana with strong family values and morals and a retired general who fought an entire campaign without losing a single American (Kosovo).
Now, all we have to do is convince all those super liberal democrats that there is no way Americans will elect über liberals as President. It'll be a tough sale. They think because Bush is in tatters that the left has carte blanche in the next election, but to middle America, a boogey man is a boogey man and an über liberal will always be a boogey man in the Red States.
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