The Obama administration was dealt another blow on Monday with the announcement that Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, of Indiana, would not seek a third term.
Bayh, a moderate, and more known for his ability to govern than his tolerance for political posturing, cited the excessive partisanship as the reason for his decision against re-election.
Sen. Bayh is the fourth sitting democratic senator to decide against re-election amidst what is becoming a most turbulent year for President Obama.
“After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Bayh named two recent examples; a bill to restrain “our exploding deficits and debt” and last week’s jobs bill, both of which were not passed due to what he cited as short term political gain and a rise in bickering from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Sen. Bayh, who had in 2006 begun a presidential exploratory committee and was initially a Clinton supporter was a coin toss away from the position as Obama’s vice president in the 2008 election, said Obama campaign manager David Plough in his book, “The Audacity to Win.”
Bayh made his announcement at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, now a radio talk show host and “Tea Party” supporter is challenging Sen. John McCain for his Arizona Senate seat.
Hayworth served in the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, before being defeated by a Democrat.
In a statement announcing his plan to run, Hayworth promised to serve only two terms if elected. He criticized McCain for his policies on government spending, taxes, and immigration, and for his opposition to torture.
McCain, who has served as an Arizona senator since 1982, hasn’t made any official statement, however, his director of Communications, Brian Rogers, made a strong and direct statement attacking Hayworth and his comments about McCain, and in what Rogers dubbed as “lies and distortion.”
Bayh, a moderate, and more known for his ability to govern than his tolerance for political posturing, cited the excessive partisanship as the reason for his decision against re-election.
Sen. Bayh is the fourth sitting democratic senator to decide against re-election amidst what is becoming a most turbulent year for President Obama.
“After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Bayh named two recent examples; a bill to restrain “our exploding deficits and debt” and last week’s jobs bill, both of which were not passed due to what he cited as short term political gain and a rise in bickering from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Sen. Bayh, who had in 2006 begun a presidential exploratory committee and was initially a Clinton supporter was a coin toss away from the position as Obama’s vice president in the 2008 election, said Obama campaign manager David Plough in his book, “The Audacity to Win.”
Bayh made his announcement at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Hayworth to Challenge McCain
Former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, now a radio talk show host and “Tea Party” supporter is challenging Sen. John McCain for his Arizona Senate seat.
Hayworth served in the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, before being defeated by a Democrat.
In a statement announcing his plan to run, Hayworth promised to serve only two terms if elected. He criticized McCain for his policies on government spending, taxes, and immigration, and for his opposition to torture.
McCain, who has served as an Arizona senator since 1982, hasn’t made any official statement, however, his director of Communications, Brian Rogers, made a strong and direct statement attacking Hayworth and his comments about McCain, and in what Rogers dubbed as “lies and distortion.”
