Responses to the idea of Obama picking Evan Bayh for VP were mixed, though generally more positive than negative. First, the positive:

Bayh would be a solid choice for Obama, due to the considerable amount of political experience he has, including as governor and some foreign policy experience. He also is low key, a team player and won't go off message -- very important qualities for a running mate.

Pomper is correct, however, that Bayh would probably be an inferior attack dog and Obama doesn't seem comfortable getting his hands dirty either. Even more problematic is that Bayh's successor would likely be appointed by a Republican Governor.

-------------------------------------------

Put Evan on a bus, have him go through Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan - over and over and over again. If Obama takes those three states, it's over.

-------------------------------------------

Bayh checks off more boxes for Obama than any other VP contender.

He has excellent experience, including executive experience, but is still young enough to reinforce the generational change message.

He is good on TV, okay on the stump, and has ridiculous message discipline; he is unlikely to cause a gaffe.

He has good foreign policy credentials sitting on Intelligence and Armed Services, but not so much that it underscores Obama's relative lack of credentials.

He is a Clinton supporter who could help unify the party, but wasn't overly harsh during the primary.

He's from a red state and could help with white males, though I agree if Obama is in a position to carry Indiana, it may not matter who his VP is.

Bayh has an attractive and accomplished spouse, and as the son of a senator and having been in national politics himself for nearly 20 years, his vetting should go smoothly -- we hope.

Exciting? Inspirational? Not really. But an exceptionally solid choice that would evoke little criticism. This probably wouldn't be taken as a great compliment, but Evan Bayh seems made to be a VP. The key is whether he and Obama have any kind of personal chemistry.

-------------------------------------------

I've been a Democrat forever. This is a very depressing year because I see no hope for the Dems and I don't think any VP will help Senator Obama's chances. He is disliked for so many reasons by so many people. Some of us believe he is too arrogant for his qualifications, which is he is really short on...the shortest of any nominee in my lifetime. He is compared with JFK but he has not even a fraction of the experiences or wisdom of JFK and JFK didn't win a landslide. So the VP, whoever it is, will not aid him. We vote for the top of the ticket but if we're on the fence, the VP choice can push us over to another candidate. The best choice for him would be someone who "does no harm." I think Evan Bayh would fill that bill.

-------------------------------------------

I think that Evan Bayh is not only the right choice for Obama, but the perfect choice. First of all, he would add a great deal of experience to the ticket. He served as Governor of Indiana, and has gained experience in national security / foreign affairs while in the Senate. Second, Bayh is a popular public figure in Indiana - according to the RCP poll average for Indiana, Obama is ahead of McCain by less than one percent. Choosing Bayh would surely bolster Obama's numbers in the state (we all know that if McCain can't keep Indiana red, he's in alot of trouble). Finally (the clincher), Bayh was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton. The Democratic primary in Indiana was extremely close, and the argument could be made that Bayh's support provided her with the narrow win there. More to the point, choosing Bayh would likely shore up support among Clinton's diehard fans.

-------------------------------------------

Yes, Bayh is the right choice for Obama. The electoral map and the credentials are *so* strong that "lack of a killer insitnct" means little in Bayh's case, unless he's a complete and total dud. Kaine might not even help carry Virginia (especially against Cantor), but Bayh will win Indiana hands down, one free red state gone blue.

-------------------------------------------

I believe that he would be the best choice for Obama at this moment because:

1. He could help to carry Indiana's 11 electoral votes.

2. He would not outshine Obama but instead provide more beef to policy issues.

3. He is youthful and attractive and can appeal to voters in the same way that Clinton/Gore did in 1992: the new generation vs. the old.

4. He would hold his own against any of McCain's VP prospects.

5. He would help to "moderate" Obama's image, especially among traditional democratic constituencies.

6. Most importantly, he would "do no harm" and probably not make a major gaffe.

And now the dissenters:

IN a lot ways, Bayh is the perfect pick for Obama--he's basically the mirror image of BO...Bland, experienced, practical, unpolarizing, etc...

Bayh is the type of Democrat, who at the top of the ticket, could win a national election with no problem, but won't do much on the bottom...I doubt he helps Obama win Indiana.

-------------------------------------------

You're not quite accurate about Evan Bayh lacking the "killer instinct" because he has had to have at least some of that to win senatorial races. However, the question is whether he has enough killer instinct to go after big-time McBushites. As a Hoosier Democrat, I feel he might not attack with enough gusto.

-------------------------------------------

A number of problems with Bayh:

1. The Democrats would lose Bayh's Senate seat to the Republicans, as the Republican governor of Indiana would appoint Bayh's replacement. As Indiana is basically a Republican state, that seat would likely stay Republican at the next election. Neither party can afford to hand over seats to the other party.

2. Bayh supported the Iraq War. He was wrong on that issue. It's not a killer for him, but it doesn't help.

3. He's boring. Let's face it. And he's not a particularly good campaigner, as you say.

4. Democrats don't need Indiana to win, and probably wouldn't anyway with Bayh on the ticket.

-------------------------------------------

I do not think Evan Bayh would be a good choice for Barack Obama's running mate. What you alluded to in your article is correct. He is too milk-toast. Even the folks in Indiana are growing weary of his bland, and ever-increasing partisan ways. I doubt adding Bayh to the ticket would even deliver the Hoosier state to Obama.