Bayh's Exit

Bayh's departure is a political gift to Republicans, but a loss for America. For such a consummate public servant to decide that his time and energy are better spent outside of our most respected legislative body is profoundly troubling.

As a Senator, Evan Bayh was well-respected both in national security circles and as a strong proponent of fiscal responsibility.  He never lost a race and had already accumulated $13 million to stave off a possible challenge from Dan Coats.  None of these factors though could keep him from announcing his retirement from Congress.  In his speech explaining his decision, Bayh argued that Congress was failing the country.  He highlighted the Senate’s disappointing performance in recent weeks, first by failing to approve a bipartisan commission to tackle the deficit and second by failing to pass an effective jobs bill.  Bayh concluded that “All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve … [than] in Congress. … I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress.” Bayh's departure is a political gift to Republicans, but a loss for America. For such a consummate public servant to decide that his time and energy are better spent outside of our most respected legislative body is profoundly troubling.