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Obama and Bayh, Sitting in a Tree ... Sort Of
August 06, 2008 11:04 AM
ABC News' John Berman, Sunlen Miller, and Andy Fies in Elkhart, Indiana report: It was almost a double man-hug. But just what does it mean?
After, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh gave a rousing 12-minute introduction to Barack Obama in Elkhart, Ind., this morning, Senator Barack Obama bounded on stage for an embrace.
The two men held each other for a moment, speaking words no one else could hear. And just when it looked like it was over, they went in for more.
So does this mean they are more than just friends? More than just a couple Midwesterners? More than just Senate colleagues? Could it be that sometime soon, very soon even, they could be running mates?
Bayh is on many of the so-called short-lists for prospective Democratic vice presidential candidates (by media types at least). He has artfully dodged and deflected questions about whether he is being considered; his coyness though, betraying an apparent, even obvious desire.
Today he put on display some of the traits that might make him attractive. First of all, he pointed out that Indiana is a state Democrats normally don’t compete in. In the past, “the Democratic nominee has written us off,” Bayh said.
But the Obama campaign sees it as an opportunity, running neck and neck with John McCain in the battleground state in most public polling. And what could help Obama more in Indiana that an enormously popular native son?
Evan Bayh was an enormously popular governor in Indiana before he was and enormously popular senator. And his father was an enormously popular senator before that (with national aspirations himself.)
The Bayh name might be able to tip the scales in a tight race. What’s more, Bayh supported Sen. Hillary Clinton during the primaries, so could serve as an olive branch to that part of the party.
The knock against Bayh is that he can come across as a little bland. But not today. His 12 minute introduction was loud, energetic, and enthusiastic. He delivered it almost flawlessly, barely looking at notes. And he even told a joke, saying that John McCain’s energy policy is to, “Drill drill drill … sounds like my dentist.” People actually laughed.
So was this a meeting of future team mates? Was it an audition? Is that why Obama was in Indiana today? Evan Bayh wouldn’t say: “Barack Obama is here with us today because he cared enough to come,” he said.
And for his part, Obama wouldn’t say either. After Bayh’s introduction and the hug was over, Obama said, “what a wonderful greeting and introduction ... Give a round of applause to one of the most wonderful United States senators we have.”
Just how wonderful? We are still left to wonder.
Bayh did, however, catch a ride on Obama's campaign bus giving the presumptive Democratic nominee and a possible VP candidate 74 miles -or an hour and 18 minutes - to talk.
The senators loaded on Obama's "myluxurybus.com" campaign bus separately. Bayh was accompanied by his deputy chief of staff Linda Moore Forbes, who flew out from Bayh's DC Senate office yesterday. Obama senior strategist Robert Gibbs and campaign aides were also aboard for the ride.
The two senators were driving to the second of Obama's campaign events of the day - to a retail stop at a local diner in Portage, Indiana where they will team up for the obligatory retail stop: shaking hands, kissing babies, and maybe even sampling some pie.
As VP speculation runs rampant -- and Bayh's name is rumored to be on the short list -- the face time between the two Senators is significant.
Just yesterday, Bayh told the Indianapolis Star that he knew of no planned meetings being scheduled between him and Obama.
But surely an hour bus ride is enough time to talk shop?
For more reporting on potential VP candidates, click on ABC's The Note.
ABC News' Teddy Davis contributed to this report.
August 6, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (145)
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I think it is not a good sign for Bayh that Obama felt the need to spend this much time in INdiana and not make the announcement.
I would guess he is trying to shore up Indiana
Posted by: dl | Aug 6, 2008 1:15:25 PM
Evan Bayh is a great choice for VP!
Posted by: Chris | Aug 6, 2008 1:17:58 PM
Boston...completely new and improved technology now as far as avoiding a meltdown----and although the waste is radioactive-----the waste is a tiny amount giving nuke energy a rating as an environmentally friendly energy source. I imagine the Yaka mountains have room for all the waste since there isn't that much in mass.
Posted by: chattyway | Aug 6, 2008 1:18:46 PM
Three Mile Island was not a meltdown
Posted by: tigger | Aug 6, 2008 1:26:00 PM
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, said Wednesday GOP candidates would do well to adopt a positive tone like that of McCain's Democratic rival Barack Obama.
"Say what you will about Barack Obama," the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, "people gravitate when you have something positive to say."
Posted by: Ron | Aug 6, 2008 1:31:10 PM
If that is Bayh's idea of a joke, it is going to be a long campaign.
Posted by: mls | Aug 6, 2008 1:31:57 PM
Good Heavens, Rob. Bayh is BORING? Maybe Obama should pick Jerry Seinfeld or someone funny. Hum. I didn't know if was the role of the v.p. to entertain the American people. Learn something new every day!
Posted by: Lisa Again | Aug 6, 2008 1:34:28 PM
None of this matters one bit! OBAMA YAMAN is on his way out the pools don't lie for all of his Rock Star qualities he's still virtualy tied with McCaine and after he dismises Hillary completely by not offering her the VP position he'll be done for good! We the Hillary loyals and hardliners will not forgive such an action. I will not vote in Nov. for any presidential candidate but I will vote for the rest of the candidates in my state and congressional district and I know many whom intend to vote the same. However if Obama is even a bit disrespectful to Hillary in any way I will vote for McCaine without hesitation. So be very careful Obama Yama my eyes are on you!
Posted by: Cas | Aug 6, 2008 1:38:35 PM
I am a dem for MCcain,no way will i vote for Obama and BAYH..I just hope Hillarys voters vill stay with their word..WE the people need to show these dem they can,t run the world..and choose who we wan,t,,this dem,party has made me ill,,what a shame a few people like ted,jerry,carter,pelosi,edward and a few more have disgraced their own party..
Posted by: sue | Aug 6, 2008 1:40:05 PM
I went shopping at brookshires today and the first thing i saw was..Obama Marrage blowup,,could this be true?I sure hope notand what this i am hearing about John Edward?
Posted by: sue | Aug 6, 2008 1:45:43 PM
Obama would have to pick someone that makes him LOOK more superior. I doubt he would never pick Hillary. But then... It doesn't matter because I care about this country and I say GO McCain!
Posted by: bite me | Aug 6, 2008 1:46:52 PM
Keep sticking it them Barack. Many of these bloggers are sons,daughters and grandkids of retired KKK members.
Posted by: Dekonti | Aug 6, 2008 1:47:01 PM
hillary .that is the only way obam
Posted by: joe | Aug 6, 2008 1:47:29 PM
I am an octoroon. Probably most of you don’t know what that is. An octoroon is a white person with one black great-grandparent, and no other black relatives. In other words, the offspring of a quadroon and a white person, or a person with one-eighth black ancestry. Why is this important? Fortunately, it isn’t. It was important once, since in the American colonies, civil rights were based directly on the degree of European blood that ran in a person’s veins. The distinctions in one’s heritage were extremely important, since they determined whether a man (not a woman) could vote or own property. My point – and I do have one – is that these racial distinctions are becoming less and less clear as the centuries progress. I listen to discussions about this presidential race all the time, and even among people who have no idea of my lineage, the discussions center on issues, not race. Most of the people I know (admittedly, 95% white) are not concerned with Barack Obama’s race. They are concerned about the issues first. I happen to be a John McCain supporter, but I applaud the fact that we now live in a society where words like “octoroon” seem like something right out of a history book. When I told my 12 year old niece the meaning of this word, she asked “Why do we even need a word like that?” Out of the mouths of children . . . we don’t need a word like that today, and that’s a good thing.
Posted by: Octoroon | Aug 6, 2008 1:49:06 PM
So many people in these blogs perpetuating lies, smear tactics, etc. etc. i.e. Obama is not gay nor is he an empty suit, not a drug addict, and all those other things. You folks do need to join the McCain camp where truth doesn't matter. As for the Clintons--have you read the Clinton history? If not, you really should.
By the way, I'm a sourthern republican that will vote Obama in November in hopes that he can make changes in Washington for the good of the people. In particular, my grandchildren.
Posted by: Joy in TN | Aug 6, 2008 1:49:25 PM
sue
Obama won the nomination because WE voted for him. I'm sorry somebody had to lose. I like Hillary too. But she has figured out how to move on, and I hope her fans learn from her good example.
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 6, 2008 1:49:26 PM
Don't letthe media pick our next President
N Y Times is pro Obama and against everyone else
Newsweek , La Times and MSNBC are also in the tank. This is America - let the citizens choose. These news outlets constantly trash everyone BUT Obama. We in Middle America know we dont want racists , criminals and terrorists in our White house. Yes, Ludacris - WE CAN STOP YOU and WE WILL in NOVEMBER !!!
Posted by: jimbo | Aug 6, 2008 1:49:58 PM
I am too american to pick Obama so it doesn't matter to me who he picks. GO McCain!
Posted by: bite me | Aug 6, 2008 1:50:15 PM
"Many of these bloggers are sons,daughters and grandkids of retired KKK members." Dekonti's remarks are more of the same bigoted, racist remarks from Obama supporters and of course, more silence from Obama supporters when their fellow teammates spew disgustingly racist, bigoted remarks.
Posted by: Jeff | Aug 6, 2008 1:53:44 PM
I agree....
hillary .that is the only way obam
Posted by: jc | Aug 6, 2008 1:54:48 PM
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