Bayh setting up presidential exploratory committee

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) appeared on This Week, ABC News' Sunday talk show, and announced that he will set up a presidential exploratory committee for a possible run at the presidency in 2008.  An exploratory committee allows candidates to raise money for their campaign without formally declaring a run for the presidency until a time of their choosing.

ABC News:

He said he would decide over the upcoming holidays whether to seek the Democratic nomination.

"We need someone who can deal with the dysfunction here in this city," the senator said.

He planned appearances Monday in Iowa and next weekend in New Hampshire, two early states on the campaign calendar.

Bayh has major national security credentials.  As a Senator, he serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee.

So where does this guy stand?

• Social Issues: Pretty conservative all-around.  He supported the idea of outlawing flag burning.  He opposes gay marriage.  He is also voted to outlaw late-term abortion (was given a 50% rating by NARAL).  He supports federal funding for faith-based services.
• Environment: Big environmentalist.  In recent days, Bayh has been putting pressure on the Energy Secretary to recommend that Congress increase funding for ethanol blend E-75 and other alternative energies.  He voted to ban oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• Free Trade: It's a mixed bag.  Bayh voted no on CAFTA, but yes on a bill that helped expand free trade to the third world.
• Guns: Very much for gun control.  Voted against banning lawsuits for gun manufacturers, and yes on background checks at gun shows.
• Immigration: Supports a guest-worker program.
• Stem Cells: Supports federal funding for embryonic stem cells.

It looks like Evan Bayh and Tom Vilsack will battle over moderate voters in the primaries.

Still want to know more?  Here is a video of Bayh on CNN, where he discussed the issue of Iraq.

Comments

[John Z Wetmore]

Five years ago I interviewed Tom Vilsack on a Walk Across Iowa. It is the second interview on Episode 59 of "Perils For Pedestrians", now available on Google Video at:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q="Perils For Pedestrians"

Contents of Episode 59 (2001):
--A new safety device for transit buses.
--Governor Vilsack walks across Iowa.
--The Fifth Annual Native American Lifesavers Conference in Bismarck, ND.
--Pedestrians form 25 percent of traffic fatalities in Indian Country.
--Bike-Walk Virginia meets in Charlottesville, VA.
--An old pedestrian mall is seeing new life in Charlottesville, VA.
--The League of American Bicyclists hosts a legislative summit in Washington, DC.
--The Thunderhead Alliance promotes local bicycle advocacy.

Thank you.