Rec'd for the title pun, though I suspect these rumors might be a red herring.

Bayh has been running for President his whole life, so he's squaky clean and safe in a no surprises sort of way. He's a Clinton golden boy, had the keynote address in 1996 convention I believe and Clinton once opined that one day he hoped he could vote for Bayh for President.

He was almost surely Hillary's VP choice had she won the primary. He probably didn't run himself because Hillary was running. Clintons can't torpedo Obama as easily with Bayh on the ticket because given how be backed her so strongly and probably put off running himself to make room for her, it would really bite them.

He's a former two-term Governor so that Executive experience will be beneficial, and has solid Senate committee memberships.

This is a "I want to win the election" pick if there ever was one.

I get a strong Dan Quayle vibe off Bayh. But he really attacks the political geography with Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

All that Obama would need him for is one debate. And if McCain picks Romney then they can debate who has the nicer hair.

I personally don't like the pick, but I can understand it politically.

Bayh was also under consideration for Gore and Kerry. Gore went anti-Clinton with Lieberman, and Kerry picked the candidate with the better hair.

I was really hoping for Biden, but I think this is the pick.

I'd trade one senate seat if it meant winning the Presidency. I don't think there is going to be very many bills/policy that Obama tries to force through with filibuster proof necessity.

Of course considering the Dems have a one-seat Senate advantage, and that includes the worm, I'd like to have a buffer zone.

Warner will win his seat, to that will be a net zero. What other senate gains are possible? Likely?

Opening ceremonies are on Friday, so naming Sen. Bayh on Wednesday would give him only a two day story at most.

The original source for this post is walking back a bit on the story now as well.

I said in a thread about Kaine that his name could have been "leaked" as a thank you of sorts by the Obama campaign for opening their lives up for the intense vetting and not getting chosen. This coverage gives Kaine before and Bayh now certain status and rub for being talked about at a legit possibility and finalist.

All these men and women were told to keep their mouths shut and did so, and they probably deserve something for the hassle.

Obama naming his choice during the Olympics is risky as he'll have to share the coverage, and if the proverbial shit is hitting the fan in China, there could be no room for political coverage.

I think Bayh could be a smart pick, because if you don't pick a Clintonite, there is a real possibility they look towards 2012 and pull shenanigans like Bill currently is.

Evan Bayh is less a Dan Quayle and more an Al Gore. --- In fact, very much an Al Gore type pick ... adjoining state, slightly wooden but attractive, son of an even more well-known (in his day)and very respected political father (Birch Bayh still brings a smile and wish for the "good old days" by members of my generation .... you know, the folks who by and large are supporting McCain .. and had strong credentials in women's issues, Title IX and ERA).

Birch Bayh was Senator from 1963 to 1981, at which time he was defeated by ..... Dan Qayle! In fact, I believe that was why Quayle was seen as such an up-and-comer, the fact that he defeated Birch Bayh.

It would not be a bad pick - maybe a good one. I've always gotten the impression of integrity from him -- and definitely civility, even during the recent primary when he was supporting Clinton. The only question I've heard raised is that his wife may have positions on some corporate boards that might be questioned. I doubt they would cause much trouble since Bayh has always been careful of his political future.

If Wednesday comes and goes without an announcement, it may be as Jonze suggest: granting him a respectful nod and favorable moment in the spotlight. I'm not yet - quite - giving up my serious, long-held hope that it's going to be Joe Biden. But Bayh would be an solid, acceptable choice. (And if it would muffle the Clintons' guns, especially Bill's!!, a bit, then maybe the very best choice.)

The ObamaBayh08.com domain was purchased by a guy in
Allston, Massachusets named Joe Chan who lists his address as an apartment and used a Yahoo email address for this domain. At least at this point, I'll assume that Joe is just a squatter looking to get a little cash of the Obama campaign if Bayh is the choice. Obviously he could be someone in the campaign somewhere but I wouldn't read too much into the domain thing for now.

With Obama blasting McCain's being in Washington for 26 years as being part of the problem, wouldn't that signal he's probably not picking Biden? Because Biden has been in there 35 years...

I was hoping for Biden, but Obama's latest salvo at John McCain might kill any chance of Biden getting selected.

Especially since given McCain's latest ad of "Washington is broken, and Mr. Maverick is here to save it" I assume Barack and the Obama camp will hit back even harder on this issue.

I, too, could support Sen. Clinton for VP, but Bill Clinton makes it an unworkable possibility. Bill has his super secret library donor list, his middle eastern junkets and his Presidential pardons that would hang over the campaign. The election would be all about the Clinton years, Obama and policy/issues would become an afterthought.

I don't think there is any chance an Obama/Clinton ticket could win. I think the million or so Hillary holdouts might come aboard, but there would be a chilling effect to the Obama message and her addition to the ticket would really energize the GOP base and give them a rallying cry, so the net effect would probably be a huge negative for the Democratic chances.