Posted by Jeff Zeleny at 12:03 p.m. CDT
Democrats will not win elections if they don’t starting winning over the middle class.
That’s the view, at least, of Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.). In a speech he delivered today in Washington – before jumping on a plane to make the same address in Iowa this afternoon – Bayh gently scolded Democrats for failing to hold onto middle class voters.
“We may consider ourselves the party of the middle class, but too many middle class Americans no longer consider us their party,” Bayh said. “They have left the Democratic Party in droves, costing us the last two presidential elections and the last six congressional elections. If we don’t learn some lessons, we will lose in 2006 and 2008 as well.”
Bayh is one of at least a dozen senators considering a presidential bid in 2008, which explains why he hurried off to Iowa, which traditionally launches the race for the White House. (As the crow flies, he surely must have passed over Indiana, which has twice elected him governor and senator).
He offered a broad – and familiar – outline of a possible presidential campaign message. Highlights of his proposal include offering a $6,000 tax credit to cover college costs for families who make less than $100,000 a year. He also proposed overhauling the health care system and strengthening retirement savings programs.
Even Bayh conceded that he was offering few specifics, saying: “I will go into greater detail later.”
One thing, however, was clear. Bayh will join legions of other politicians and try to run against the trappings of Washington.
“Washington is broken,” he said. “There is a chasm between what middle-America needs and what Washington delivers: all wedge issues, all spin, all cynicism, all gridlock, all the time.
“It’s as if Washington,” he added, “is on a different planet.”
The senator did not mention one biographical fact: he grew up on Planet Washington.
While he was born in Shirkieville, Ind., he was raised in the capital. He is the son of former Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana.
So if the younger Bayh does run for president, would he consider resigning his seat in the Senate to hammer home the point that he not a product of Washington?
“I don't think cutting and running is the right answer,” Bayh said. “I don't think just leaving the legislative branch and throwing up your hands and saying 'I quit' is the responsible thing to do."
We'll take that as a no.
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Comments
Its not going to be hard to win over the Middle class whats left of the. Under this Congress and Senate the Middle class is under attack. Outsourcing ,tax cuts to the rich which cause major budget cuts to their childerns education and a list I am to tired to post.But that list would have over 100 cuts that effect the Middle class. Just go to vote smart and other links it has all the proof there. Hi John D I will see your post later defending the Rep[ublicans again with no real defence at all
Posted by: Dale Peters | July 17, 2006 2:38 PM
It takes a lot of courage to go out and say the obvious when entrenched leadership doesn't want to acknowledge it. Bayh should be commended by all democrats for pushing away the trees and giving them a glimpse of the forest. The post goes out of its way to make him sound like a hypocrite and there's a kernel of truth to that since he is from "Planet Washington," but with the facts on his side an imperfect messenger can deliver a very potent message.
Posted by: Bill | July 17, 2006 2:53 PM
What drivel! How can you spout your leftist lies all day? I mean, you show a picture of a handsome man next to a story about Evan Bayh, then show a picture of a knuckle dragging gorilla next to all your stories about President Bush. Your liberal Bias is transparent.
Posted by: RightWing | July 17, 2006 3:55 PM
Here how to win. After Lane Evans had to step down for a little bit. His replacement helped me get a Marine who Republicans would not help from his district. Bob Filner who took over for Lane got this Marine and the first of the Retrurning troops his PTSD 100% COVERED!! Republican talk but actions speak louder then any words.
Posted by: Dale Peters | July 17, 2006 4:23 PM
The son of Senator Birch Bayh ("of Indiana") wants to run for President. Just like Al Gore Jr., another son of a former Senator ("from Tennessee"), just like the current resident of the Executive Mansion in Washington ---Grandson of Senator Prescott Bush ("of Connecticut") and son of a President of the United States("from Texas") and who has a brother who is the sitting Governor of Florida.
Does Mr Bayh have the faintest idea of what life is like for the typical Indiana resident? Does he have any idea why Democrats became "Reagan Democrats?"
The answer to the above two questions is a resounding "no." He should go home to Indiana and think about it, and forget about "Iowa," until he has come up with the correct answers.
In the meantime, he could act like a United States Senator, and tell us what kind of Democrat he is:
a "Joe Lieberman" Democrat, or that other kind of Democrat who believes the war in Iraq was wrong from the beginning and said so -- from the beginning.
In 1982, when more than 200 Marines died in Lebanon, the now-Sainted Ronald Reagan talked tough, but he removed US forces from the Middle East, realizing the tragedy that would ensue if the US became embroiled in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
George the Second has lead us into that conflict, leaving it for the next president to figure a way out.
That next president obviously cannot be Evan Bayh - his idea of "what's important to voters" are variations on secondary themes, like "health savings accounts," and "prescription drug coverage."
Evan Bayh: clueless, bland and boring.
Posted by: vondrakovia | July 17, 2006 6:35 PM
Hey, Evan Bayh is the middle of the road guy, he dosen't have a position on amything. Cliff Zeider Port St. Joe Fl. 32456
Posted by: cliff zeider | July 18, 2006 6:14 AM
If Evan Bayh is indeed "clueless, bland and boring," then it sounds like he's got the life of the typical Indiana resident down perfectly.
Posted by: John | July 18, 2006 9:19 PM