Shuster: "Evan Bayh is SO DULL AND SO STIFF it poses a risk for Obama"

[SuperTrouper]

MSNBC: I cannot believe that David Shuster just categorized Evan Bayh as "dull and Stiff" and that the lack of excitement in this pick would cause problems for Obama. Furthermore he said that what Obama needs is an attack dog and not someone that may be seen as lackluster.

[Renew Deal]

1. I've never seen Bayh as dull and stiff

But what do I know. Does Schuster suggest Obama get a circus act?

Someone contemplative and hard working is perfect for Obama. Obama will keep the VP busy. It's his style.

[sui generis]

5. the most important thing is a Veep with credibility AND a low profile

If Schuster wants someone who will wear a top hat, tutu, and tux tails Bayh is probably not it.

For the most part I think Bayh would make a quite acceptable veep pick even if I don't agree with him on everything.

now, if Obama picked Liebermann . . . . bwaha ha ha haha. couldn't even finish the thought, it was so ghastly.

[MessiahRp]

9. He was the keynote speaker at our state convention in 2005. He is dull and stiff.

I wanted to pass out during the speech. Not to mention he's a DLCer and I'd prefer we keep them out of the inner circle as they've done enough damage to our party.

Rp

[Renew Deal]

14. My problems with him are more along the DLC lines.

I don't care much about his personality. I like how people are defending him against these media windbags.

[Connie_Corleone]

2. These pundits have been wrong for 2 years now.

I'm not thrilled with Bayh, but who knows? He might have some fire in the belly. Besides, Obama takes care of the excitement part of the ticket.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. I completely agree with Shuster...

The world "milquetoast" was invented for Bayh. Tapioca pudding is less bland then Bayh.

[Renew Deal]

7. So who do you find exciting enough to be VP?

[MessiahRp]

13. I'd like someone who can fight back...

A Joe Biden would make me rather happy. I like Wes Clark a lot but the media won't stop whining about the "getting shot down doesn't qualify you to be president" comment.

I like Bill Richardson as well and think he would help in the Southwest, although with McCain courting the KKK vote, I can't see that ticket getting much of a chance.

Rp

[Renew Deal]

15. I like all of those too

Though I think Richardson has some practical problems.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

39. Like Messaih...

I think Richardson or Biden would be a great pick.

Face it, Obama is going to be inheriting a stinking piece of shit from the Bushies -- he will need a VP who is more than a Suit, he will need a fully experienced, equal partner who can handle -- and help Obama handle -- some of the biggest challenges our country has ever faced.

Can I see Bayh, the ultimate Suit, doing that?? Nope, the dude is stricly minor league.

[Renew Deal]

17. I've got some milquetoast for you right here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-m6uJt5cI :D

[calimary]

29. Sorry to say it - Evan Who?

Yes, I know who he is. I know who his father is. Birch Bayh was a name brand in his day. Evan Bayh is a snorer. We need someone with pizazz to add to the ticket, someone with a little fire in his(her?) belly, and a willingness to be an attack dog.

I am growing more and more upset with Obama for not hitting back hard. Now he's about FOUR commercials behind. He's gonna get mowed over, dammit, and it'll be ANOTHER four years of republi-CONS in the White House.

WHEN THE FUCK ARE WE GONNA LEARN???? You DO NOT fight off swiftboating by rolling your eyes and shaking your head and assuming everyone knows how stupid and nonsensical your opponent is.

If he can't lead the electorate to vote for him, how is he going to lead this country?

David Shuster's correct. Evan Bayh is Evan Blah. And we shouldn't have two Senators on the bill - UNLESS one of those Senators is Hillary.

[Renew Deal]

34. Here's a video of Bayh speaking passionately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7JhfkjonYw

[salonghorn70]

36. Great Video!!!!!

Put him in a bus and let him go through Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. We will win!!!! I love Bayh!!!!

[rox63]

4. At least there would be no danger of the veep nominee outshining Obama

But I hope he isn't chosen. Bayh is definitely not one of my top picks.

[Jersey Devil]

6. If he's so dull and stiff how does he keep getting elected in Repub Indiana?

I know that is his reputation and frankly I have heard him speak so few times I don't personally have an opinion on whether he is dull and stiff, but how did he get elected if that is the case in a Republican state?

[IndyOp]

16. Evan's father is Birch Bayh who was a well-respected Democrat. Evan is not.

Birch Bayh was influential in the passing of Title IX to the Higher Education Act, which gave women equal opportunities in sports and academics in public education.

As Chairman of the Senate subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, Bayh was the principal architect of two constitutional amendments:

* The 25th Amendment, which established the rules for presidential succession and disability.
* The 26th Amendment, which lowered the minimum voting age to 18.

Bayh was also the principal Senate sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which passed both Houses of Congress, but was not ratified by the states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch_Bayh

========================

Evan Bayh IS a Republican.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Bayh

[nsd]

8. Vanilla has its merits. Most people like vanilla even if they prefer another flavor.

The Republican strategy this year is to make people scared of Obama. They want him to seem foreign, exotic, radical, different, not one of us. Recall one of McCain's slogans: "An American president for America" -- what do you think that's about?

Bayh is vanilla, to be sure, but that might just be what Obama needs. Bayh's not going to unsettle voters in purple America. And he just might soothe the worries of those who want change but are hesitant about voting for the guy with the funny name.

[Renew Deal]

12. I see Bayh as Al Gore in 1992.

Young, good looking, smart senator with long family ties to government. Not too exciting, but capable of taking over.

[MasonJar]

21. No way one can compare Evan Bayh to Al Gore!!!!!!!!!

[Renew Deal]

27. Yes we can

I just did. Think about 1998 Al Gore. Think about why Clinton picked him. He was from a state Clinton wanted. He had really really good credentials. And Bayh and Gore have a lot in common.

[IndyOp]

10. David Shuster was raised in Indiana and David is RIGHT...

Bayh shoved a stick up his own ass decades ago to make sure he'd stay tidy-looking for when his chance came to be President.

No Bayh! He's a coward.

:(

[nomaco-10]

11. Isn't that what the murikan people want....

boring, dull and stiff?

good gods, that's been the repubs most successful campaign tactic, supplying red states with the most boring, uptight and morose candidates they've got.

I've become so cynical, I'm almost to the point let's give the purple states some dreadful pick that can pull in the votes we desperately need to win and then neutralize their ass after the election.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

18. Schuster is right. Bayh is like no VP pick at all... squanders the opportunity

I am reminded of when David Letterman called Dan Quayle "The Other White Meat"

[MasonJar]

19. Why would he choose Bayh? I cannot see how he adds to the ticket.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Two terms as Governor, 8 years as Senator, possibly brings a state with him.

[Renew Deal]

24. And geographically good

Bayh represents the rust belt AND the farm belt

Rust Belt


Farm Belt

[TwilightGardener]

25. Yup. And polished on the stump, not gaffe-prone, a professional politician.

[depakid]

28. He won't bring Indiana

anymore than Edwards brought Kerry North Carolina.

That would take OVER A 20 POINT SWING from 2004.

[TwilightGardener]

30. I've heard that Indiana is much closer this time around, and their

Dem Gov candidate is polling pretty well--has a good shot.

[depakid]

33. 20% swings are exceedingly rare-

and in a state like Indiana- which is known for its racist tendencies- it's damn near a statistical impossibility.

[Awsi Dooger]

40. You're exactly right

I've studied the largest swings from one cycle to the next and anything in the teens is extremely rare. I wish I could find the specific examples.

Indiana is no doubt closer this cycle but like depakid I'm skeptical, even with Bayh.

Here's the problem in Indiana: according to the 2004 exit poll, 14% self-identified as liberals and 42% as conservatives. My god, does anyone realize what it takes to overcome that? The typical swing state is roughly 20-22% liberals and 32-34% conservatives. In 2000 and 2004, we didn't win a single state with 35% or higher self-identified conservatives.

Now, there's more play this year. Based on the last 4 years of GOP performance the percentage of self-identified conservatives has declined slightly, by maybe 1%. And since we lead nationally that will snag some states typically outside our grasp in a 50/50 environment.

But 14/42 is beyond a leap of faith. It's probably masochism, even with Bayh, unless Obama wins nationally by 5 points or more.

I'll be honest: I want to bet on McCain in Indiana. The current odds are a joke. If Obama avoids Bayh and names someone else for VP, it's a glorified pickup wagering on the GOP ticket in Indiana, current state polls be damned.

[nsd]

22. A great resume, red state appeal, telegenic.

Two-term governor (cut taxes, produced budget surplus)
Second-term senator (Armed Services and Intelligence committee member)
Hugely popular in Indiana (which Obama campaign plans to target)

[DemocracyInaction]

23. God, I must be dull

The times I've heard him interviewed I thought he was smooth and well spoken and could get to the point. However, I pray for Biden 'cause that would make Johnny wet his pants with Biden on his case doing the hatchet job which Obama can't do without upsetting the entire white population!

[Eurobabe]

26. Uh, yeah...and some of his views are ARCANE

Like the DOMA shit?

[Thrill]

31. He's right. Bayh is soooooo boring. And he will piss off the women's groups. He would be a terrible

pick

[nsd]

32. He was a big Clinton supporter. I think that should count with most women's groups. (nt)

[BigDDem]

35. So Hillary is Satan's spawn for voting for the war but

with Bayh it's acceptable?
Interesting.

[Avalux]

37. I won't be happy if Obama picks Bayh. AWFUL.

He was very pro-Iraq war and he is boring. Picking him would be counterintuitive to Obama's message. He needs to pick someone who didn't vote on the war at all.

[trewsx11]

38. Everyone said same thing about Al Gore = boring, dull, conservative

Bill Clinton recieved alot of flak from the MSM and the Left for choosing Al Gore, too. They said he was too dull, boring, and too right-wing for Veep.

Oh, what delicious irony.