American Fool?

In the wake of Evan Bayh's retirement, a few wits are suggesting John Mellencamp as a possible replacement.  While I think the idea is far fetched and sheer fantasy, I think that Mellencamp, if he did decide to jump in, would soon end up like the populist boxer in the 1983 video "Authority Song", beaten down by the rich and powerful.

The Center Does Not Hold, Or Does It?

Here is an interesting perspective on Evan Bayh's retirement announcement, and the circumstances surrounding his reasoning. 

Evan Bayh's farewell by Joe Conason, Salon.com

I found the author's point interesting: while Bayh blamed both Republican and Democrat "extremists" for the gridlock in Washington, almost every policy and bill has been watered down and rewritten to include centrists and whatever Republicans would cross over to vote for it (none have). 

Bye Bye Bayh

Heard anything interesting lately?

Here in Indiana, Senator Evan Bayh's shocking retirement today hit us like a bomb.  This is a guy with an 85% approval rating (according to a Research 2000 poll released last week).  Plans were well underway to shoot a commercial in South Bend this week.  Local and state Democratic officials were preparing for the upcoming campaign.  Now this. 

Everyone is still trying to come to grips with the implications of this announcement.  Here are a few good stories which look at the long and short term angles:

Bayh's choice leaves state Party officials choosing replacement candidate  TPM

Bayh calls lack of primary "a good thing" in call with Dems TPM

Conservatives back D'Ippolito Politico

Bayh humbug! Alternet

Not his father's son Salon.com

Bayh decision not to run like Manning's fourth quarter interception Christian Science Monitor