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Opening Arguments

Passing Bayh

Potential presidential candidate Evan Bayh says this about Democrats and Iraq:

. . . the Democratic Party has "a diversity of views ... about what to do in Iraq," which may have muddled the party's stance.

That may be so, but why do we need a unified Democratic view of the war or a monolithic Republican stance? That diversity makes room for opinions such as Bayh's, which has been critical of the war but reluctant to call for a timetable withdrawal. That's a lot more thoughtful approach than that of many Democrats. The editorial board has talked with Mr. Bayh more than once, and I've found him knowledgeable and serious about defense and foreign policy issues. I can disagree with him and not fear for the safety of the country if he were in charge.

He's also standing by Joe Lieberman, the only Democrat in the last cycle I would have even considered voting for. Hillary has sniffed the political winds and bailed on him.

Comments

Jeff Pruitt
Fri, 07/07/2006 - 8:57am

That's a blatant mischaracterization of Hillary's stance on Lieberman. Hillary has said she will support him through the primary BUT if he loses then she will support the DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE - that's what democrats are supposed to do. And that's what Bayh will do as well.

There's plenty of room for Hillary bashing - it's unnecessary to distort the truth in order to do so...

Leo Morris
Sun, 07/09/2006 - 11:37am

Bayh: "I've raised money for him and I've supported him," Bayh said. "If Joe asks, I absolutely would go up there" to campaign for Lieberman.

Clinton: In a statement Tuesday, Clinton offered the obligatory hope that Lieberman would be the party's nominee, then added: ``But I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats.''

No doubt Bayh and Clinton will behave the same if Lieberman loses the primary. But what they're saying now and how they're saying it can make a difference in whether Lieberman wins the primary (as can Lieberman's announcement of running as an independent if he loses, which might cost him a number of votes).

It still looks to me like Bayh is standing by Lieberman and Clinton is piling on.

Jeff Pruitt
Sun, 07/09/2006 - 10:35pm

Well then you need to open your eyes Leo. Again, you are recklessly mischaracterizing Clinton's stance on Lieberman. Both are going to support him through the primary but BOTH will support the nominee - that's what a democrat does. Nothing in the quotes you show suggest otherwise and nothing you can find on the record will either...

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