After closely looking into many possible candidates for the Democratic nomination in 2008, i'm pretty sure that Evan Bayh is the guy i'm going to vote for. I don't think there is anyone else out there with a record as flawless as his or with as much experience.

Bayh has been around politics basically his whole life. His father (Birch Bayh) was a Senator of Indiana from 1963-81 and ran unsuccessfully against Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination. In 1986, Bayh was elected Indiana's Secretary of State and served until 1989 when he was elected Governor. After serving 2 terms, Bayh ran successfully for Indiana's Junior Senatorial seat in 1998. After winning again in 2004, Bayh is currently on his second term.

Bayh's record as Governor is flawless:

"He established the state as one of the strongest, most financially secure economies in the nation. "Mr. Bayh’s record," reported the Wall Street Journal in 1992, "is one of a genuinely fiscally conservative Democrat." Stressing fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, job creation and lean government, Bayh’s list of achievements are remarkable: eight years without raising taxes; the greatest single tax cut and largest budget surplus in state history; national leadership in moving people from welfare to work; more dollars for schools every year; high academic standards and new college opportunities; over 350,000 new jobs; tougher laws on crime; and improved environmental quality."

As a Senator, Bayh has proven he is "more concerned with reflecting what he believes is right for Indiana citizens than with playing to the Beltway crowd," says the Indianapolis Star. His signature legislative efforts seek to strengthen our national security, create more jobs through the growth of small businesses, encourage responsible fatherhood and provide tax-relief for families struggling with the rising costs of college, retirement and the long-term care of a loved one. To help win the war on terror, Bayh has taken the lead in providing our troops with the armored vehicles they need and has visited Baghdad for a firsthand look at the progress on-the-ground.

Bayh is a leader of the New Democrat movement. At a time when partisanship is threatening progress on the nation’s most pressing issues, Bayh is spearheading the creation of the Third Way, an organization designed to build consensus around legislation that would otherwise remain bogged down in political turf wars. Bayh also served for more than four years as Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), a national group that offers support for Democratic elected officials and community leaders with a progressive approach on issues. He helped establish the New Democrat Coalition, a new and growing group of senators who are committed to sensible bipartisan progress.

Bayh currently serves on five Senate committees: Banking Housing and Urban Affairs, on which he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance; Armed Services; the Select Committee on Intelligence; the Special Committee on Aging; and the Small Business Committee.

Bayh was born in Shirkieville, Indiana. He graduated with honors in business economics from Indiana University in 1978, and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1981. After clerking for a federal court judge and entering private law practice in Indianapolis, he was elected Indiana’s Secretary of State in 1986.

"And though he's still exploring the idea, Bayh emphasized on Thursday his determination to avoid "going Washington" as well as the value of his experience as a state executive as Indiana's governor from 1988 to 97 and as a senator for the past seven years.

"That is a good combination," he said.

Bayh's approval rating in Indiana is between 70-80%. The Indianapolis Star (Indiana newspaper) did a survey not too long ago, and about 70% of indiana residents said they would vote for Senator Bayh is he ran for President.

If there is anyone who can unite this country and end the partisan divide, it is Evan Bayh. If Bayh is nominated, he will be President. Take a look at what some Republicans (Or family members of Republicans) had to say about him:

"And even my DEVOUT REPUBLICAN BROTHER said he would vote for a democrat only if it were Senator Evan Bayh from Indiana...."

and...

"Hey I am from Indiana and alot of us Republican Hoosiers like Bayh. His dad was a good politican too.

He is the ONLY Democrat we fear."

and...

"With some other candidates viewed as polarizing, his appeal atop the Democratic ticket is frequently linked to his popularity in an otherwise red political state. He is, they say, a crossover guy, able to win over Republican voters."


Something else i found interesting was when Bayh met Harry Truman:

"When he was a kid, Bayh's parents took him to Independence, Mo. His dad, U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., wanted Evan to meet Harry Truman. Evan's mom, Marvella, expressly told her son to be quiet on the visit to the former president's home. And Evan did just that. At least, until he was forced to break his silence.

"I said, 'I'm sorry, Mom, I've got to go to the bathroom,'" Bayh recalled Thursday, as he spoke to a crowd at the annual job fair in Hulman Center.

Embarrassed, Mrs. Bayh turned red.

"But Truman saved the day. He said, 'It's OK, son, so do I,'" Bayh explained. "My claim to fame - I went to the bathroom with Harry Truman.""

I assume you mean if Al Gore doesn't run.

No, i will most likely vote for Bayh over Gore.

Then again, why are you here at an Al Gore support site? Ever since you have been here you have been antagonizing our members by talking about how guns are good and Gore was wrong for standing up to the NRA and now you say you are going to vote for someone over Gore.

So again, why are you here?