Star Poll on Bayh worthless dose of Fantasy

The Indianapolis Star released a new poll today measuring Hoosier opinions on National Issues.

Much like the rest of the nation, Hoosiers are anxious about the economy, Iraq, and immigration. And as we saw a few weeks ago, they still do not like incumbents.

But the headline in the Star's eyes: Indiana can go Democrat in the 2008 Presidential race if the Dems make Evan Bayh its VP candidate.

Let's put this in perspective. Media across the country have been speculating at possible Democrat vice presidential candidates since Election Day. If Bayh is to remain in the mix, the Star will have to keep it there.

Bayh is not a smart pick for the Dems to be VP. Red meat Democrats are convinced that the party will only win on a return to liberal issues and candidates. Bayh is well known as a centrist within his party. The poll also uses the worthless generic ballot test (Dem Candidate vs. GOP candidate), which tends Democrat anyways. Does Bayh actually move voters in Hillary's column or in Barack Obama's? We don't know; the poll never asked.

Most importantly, picking Bayh does not move the Electoral College in the Democrats favor. in 2004, Bush won 286-251. If Bayh indeed turned Indiana blue, the college is still only 275 to 262. It would make more sense for Democrats to select candidates like Sen. Ben Nelson of Florida or Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio that would turn the Electoral College outright in the Democrats favor.

Today's poll is nothing more than an attempt to keep Bayh's name afloat in the VP sweepstakes, a vainglorious fantasy of the Star management.

Comments

[anonymouse]

Bayh is as interesting as a loaf of bread. His name should be Blah.

[Jay]

Bayh is a twit. He was a non-entity at best as governor. During the first Iraq war the Indiana National Guard could not be called into active duty because it was not ready.

He's a socialist ("third way" nonsense) at heart who pretends to be a down home kind of guy at election time.

He also wears a wig.