And now it is hitting the Hoosier state with today's totally unexpected retirement announcement from Sen. Evan Bayh. Just a year and a half ago, Sen. Bayh was on the very short list to be President Obama's vice presidential running mate, and now he's on his way out of politics.
The upcoming Senate race here in Indiana has become quite a roller-coaster in recent weeks, as the candidates began lining up to challenge Bayh, who as all but assured a relection to the seat that he has held since the late 90's. But then former Republican Sen. Dan Coats announced his decision to enter the race, and the political stakes shifted. (In fact, it was the retirement of Sen. Coats in 1998 that opened the door for Bayh to become the junior senator for Indiana and further his political aspirations.)
How quickly things change... The political landscape here in Indiana is symptomatic of what is happening all across the country. From the governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey to the huge upset in Massachussetts with the seat held by Ted Kennedy being passed to Republican newcomer Scott Brown, there are seismic shifts happening in the unlikeliest of places throughout the country. And while the Republicans are seeing encouraging signs of things to come, the Democratics are scrambling to figure out what went wrong.
For it was just over a year ago, that the new age of hope and change was being ushered in on the rhetoric and promise of the coming savior of the country. The presidency and both houses of Congress were firmly in Democrats' hands (with even a filibuster-proof Super Majority in the Senate). The era of possibility was only limited to one's imagination.
And now, this...
What are the reasons? Is it still because of the lingering effects of Bush? Is it because of the Tea Party movement? Is it because of Obama's less-than-stellar first year in office? Is it his aggressive attempt to grow the government and increase federal spending? Is it all of the above, and more?
The pundits will continue to speculate and analyze every nuance of the shifting sands, but the bottom line is, things are not looking good for Obama & Co.
And for those of us love to strap into the ongoing political roller-coaster, it's going to be a fun ride. :) You never know what's coming around the next bend. I mean, Bayh retiring, who saw that coming? (Not even his staff apparently.) 
UPDATE: President Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, tried to convince Bayh to stay...to no avail.
Comments