Ealier this week, Senator Evan Bayh (D - Ind.) announced that he would be retiring from Congress. The main reasons that he gave for retiring was that he did not love working in the Congress due to the amount of partisanship that took place.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100215/ap_on_el_se/us_senate_bayh_retires
This announcement means major things for many different groups who will be both hurting from the announcement and looking to benefit from it...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/the-bayh-decision-winners-and.html?wprss=thefix
Some even believe that this may result in Senator Bayh challenging President Obama in the next primary elections...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/15/evan-bayh-for-president-s_n_463202.html
Furthermore, it potentially shines a light on a bigger issue aas more and more people in Congress (who seem to be "moderates) decide to "call it quits" rather than running for re-election...
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/02/17/general-us-goodbye-moderates_7361913.html
What does this say about the state of the U.S. Congress? Will this serve as a "wake-up call" for senators and representatives, or will it be a temporary headline followed by "business as usual?" If a congressman is willing to make statements such as these and give up a seat that he was almost sure to win again, should we as citizens worry about what is going on in Washington? If Senator Bayh does decide to run for president, do you think he has a chance to beat out President Obama for the Democratic nomination? (PART I due 2/18; PART II due 2/21)
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Well I think that it's his presonal choice, but it does make one wonder why would he give up a spot that he worked for and put in all that effort to just throw it away. It's shocking news that will probably wake the senators and representatives up. Also citizens will probably be worried what's happening in Washington because of the simple fact that one of their Senators isn't happy being apart of our congress. And what does that say about our congress? Nothing on the positive side.
ReplyDeleteI think that with Senator Bayh leaving, it will show people around the nation that anyone could just get fed up with the government and wake up in the morning someday and make the decision to leave. I think his decision was the best because he is kind of sticking it to the man and showing everyone that he sees corruption in the government. However, I think if he decided to run for president, he would not have a chance to beat out President Obama for the democratic nomination because of his leaving.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jessie. Why would he just throw away a spot in the congress that he worked so hard for? People are definitely going to be shocked and see something is wrong, and it's definitely going to wake the representatives up. This could be a positive thing for our country, but it just shows how our government is working these days, and something needs to be done to fix it.
ReplyDeleteFrom Senator Bayh retiring, jus tgoes to show that anyone at anytime can get tired of the wy things are done and decide to make a personal choice to give up. With the way congress is going and Bahy leaving just goes to show that obviously something is going wrong in the system and something needs to be done about it. He has worked hard for where he has gotten, and to give up, means he did it for a significant reason. And if he does want to run for president against obama, then he probably will not win because him leaving congress will hurt him in that aspect.
ReplyDeletei agree with Taylor, it is unusual for someone with that status to throw it alll away so suddenly but obviously its for a good reason. It is deffinately going to cause a rude awakening for representative and sentors to finally realize what actually is going wrong in the system. And yes this deffinately could be a positive thing, because it could get whatever is going wrong to be promptly fixed.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jessie, it is a personal choice and yes it will make citizens worry about what really is going on in congress because of a hardworking Sentor just up and leaves. and Yes this does show the negatives aspects of what is going on with congress.
ReplyDeletei respect Bayh a lot for doing this. personally, i never believed in the political party system. all it ever does is make people blinded by ideas and biased. it even tears family and friends apart at some times! that's the reason why he left: because too many people only vote for the party they represent and don't listen to the other. we should just erase the party idea all-together. otherwise we're always going to be a country divided.
ReplyDeletei agree with taylor about bayh's leaving, but not about his presidential campaign. i believe Bayh could beat Obama in a future election, if offered. Obama's a fine president, but there's so much negativity and impatience that republicans keep chasing after every chance they get that there's no chance he could win a second time with that rep. unless he decided to rush his plans. Bayh has enough respect that representatives from both parties would be willing to vote him in as their leader.
ReplyDeleteI think that as citizens we should worry about what is going on in Washington. If a Senator is willing to retire because he doesnt agree with what is going on there it should definately worry people. This is troubling becuase he worked hard to get that position and now he is willing to give it up just because things in Washington are that bad. To me it shows that the legislation is not working the way it should and they should change and figure out a way to improve.
ReplyDeletei agree with Taylor that anyone could get tired of working in politics and government. Our government is so slow, boring, and ineffective. It takes them years to get things done and they waste our money and time by wasting it. Also they are by-partisand so they will not vote for eachother on certain topics. To me this seperation of votes is childish and immature. They dont vote because of their political affilition instead of hwo they actually feel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jessi about it being his own personal choice. He has a family to take care of and politics most likely gets in the way significantly. He might just be having a different outlook on life and is now more concerned with his family life. To me he has made a good decision that will probably make his life more stress free and easier.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the choice of Even Bayh made to not run agian for congress is a personal choice that he made on the beief that their is something wrong with congress. The citizens of the United states Should be worried because if a man worked very hard for a seat in congress and then decides to just quit truly means that somethinghas gone wrongin congress. I believe the reason Even Bayh Decided not to run for Congress again Was to tell the people in congress That he is fed up with partisanship.
ReplyDeleteI agreee with jessie becauses if a senator that works that hard to get his posistion in congress then just decides he not going to deal with is anymore and leaves i do beieve it shuld worry the citizens. i also do believe that Even bayh decisions was a personal choice and should be respected.
ReplyDeletei agree with mackenzie that is someone just gets up and leaves congress that the citzens should be worried that is truely going on in congress and should worry the citzens. i also do belive that him leaving cogress and i he choses to run for office him leaving congress will hurt his campain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joe. The reason for Bayh's leaving is probably because of the corruptness in our government; how no one listens to each other and how everyone is biased and only believes in their side. No one realizes that there are two sides to every story. Something must be done to fix the system or several more government officials are going to suddenly leave.
ReplyDeleteThe people of the United States should be worried. I believe that this just shows how bad things have gotten in U.S. congress and in our country. Senator Bayh definitely has a chance to beat out President Obama in the next elections in three years because in Barack Obamas first year as President, noothing has gotten better in our country. Unemployment rate has gone from 8% from when Obama got in to 10% now. So this is why Senator Bayh stepping down is such an unexpected thing because he could be the favorite for the next elections.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie because like she said if he got to this point in his career and decides to step down then obviously something is seriously wrong. The partnerships he is talking about are something that should worry american citizens to think there might be alot of conspiracy going on behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with fogelman..the political party ideas tears everyone apart and is the main reason why our country is the way it is today. That is why the 9-11 attacks happened. The terrorists recognize when we have a poor leader in and they plan during this time. They divide and conquer. They know that once a democrat goes out and they attack, itll make us point a lot of fingers at the other party and become even more divided. So this and Bayh stepping down, all cause these problems to happen for America and give us even more to worry about.
ReplyDeleteNo, the citizens should not criticize. This is his personal choice that he chooses to make. The citizens do not have the power to keep him, but they can try to persuade him. If he is able to recieve that seat back again, it would his choice to return. Bayh stepping down could pull him in towards Washington. From the statistics showing, he may have a shot for president next election.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jesse. If he wants to, this is his personal choice of whether or not he wants to step down. People will notice a difference in Congress, but hopefully that spot will be filled effectively.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with Joey. Even though he is stepping down, if he is at the peak of his career, the only way to go anywhere is down. He may feel like he doesn't want to keep doing this for the rest of his life, so he is stepping down. Although, this is quite shocking, it may make sense when Bayh explains it fully.
ReplyDeleteI think Senator Bayh's retirement is a sign of how our government is being run. Senator Bayh said so himself, he didn't love working because of the partisanship. Our country has become so focused on the political parties rather than the different opinions and views that the parties offer. There is no point of senators and representatives voting on anything if the only reason they are saying yes or no is due to the fact that their political party backs it up. Everything is so focused on Democrat or Republican, when it should be focused on the matters being addressed. Now that Senator Bayh's seat is open, this opens new doors for people who don't support the democratic changes being presented. I feel that if Senator Bayh were to run against Obama in the next election, he could have a chance at beating him. It is hard to tell where Obama will go with his supporters in the upcoming years, but I do think that Bayh has a chance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gavin. The fact that a well-respected senator would just resign due to the fact he is unhappy is concerning. I'm sure that other congressmen feel the same way about this too. I know that not everyone will be happy with the way our government works, but the fact that someone who had worked so long in Congress decided to resign due to the state of how the Congress was being run, is a big deal in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Joe. Everyone is so focused on supporting a view due to the party that they represent. The senators and representatives are supposed to support their state and the people. Their job is to make decisions that benefit the people. When everyone is so divided and focused on voting a certain way due to their parties belief, they aren't doing their job. They aren't considering what is best, they are simply saying yes or no based on the fact of what their political party view is.
ReplyDeletei agree with molly. senator bayh said what he did because it was what he felt and experienced. the partisanship is becoming the focus of government officials which is not what they are supposed to be focused on. the government "is for the people" so they need focus on the PEOPLE! not their political parties.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Molly because she's right about how our country doesn't spend enough time on considering the other points of view and opinions that are being offered or could be offered. If we focus on one opinion then nothing will get done nor will it improve our country at all. If we could just stop and listen to what the other points of view are then we could try to fix problems and make working for the congress more loveable.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious that when a leading democratic party member who is a sur in for the next election quits that something is wrong with the way congress is working. Bayh said that he quit because of the "bipartisanship" that was going on instead of the "partnership". the democratic and republican parties are the two major parties in the US and when they cannot get along even for a short time its obvious that our country cannot be as great as it could be.
ReplyDeletei agree with what molly said. for most elected representatives the moment they are elected they immediately start thinking about how they can get elected for a second, and third, and fourth term. they rarely think about the people they represent and what they need and want. far to often do citizens of a certain state elect people because they think that they will help their city, and far to often do those elected representatives do nothing to help those people. they only want to help themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with gavin. most representatives only want to find a way to get elected again. and at the end of their term the only help that they have gotten for their community are a few pork-barrel projects. its obvious that when a democratic representative who could possibly be in the running for president one day up and quits that something is terrible wrong with this country.
ReplyDeleteI dont not see this as a wake up call for the other congressman. Seneter Bayh leaving, it does not really affect the other congressman. The only thing that could happen is that the balance between the demacrats and republicans. I believe that if he did run for president that he would not beat out President Obama. He is a good candidate but he does not have what it takes to take on the White House and the whole country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Conner, when he says that there is something going wrong. When there is a "bipartnership" and not a "partnership". i believe that there has always been sometype of "bipartnership" in the White House. Because whether the president is a Demacrat or a Republican, the party members will feel a since of hierarchy in themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jonny. He says the the citizens should not critisize because of a personal decision that Seneter Bayh made. He made the decision to retire, so he did. And his family is going to support him in anything he decides to do from now on. I think that we should support him as well, not only is he a fellow Hoosier, but he has kept us in mind in any decision he made while in term. He is a trustworthly man and should have the support of every single Hoosier.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joey about the U.S. being worried because we should be. We have to worry about why our own Senator doesn't love being apart of our congress. But I disagree with the fact that he said that Senator Bayh could beat out president Obama in the election. I don't think so because our president has a big support of our country. But no one really knows what could happen...
ReplyDeleteSenator Bayh's decision just proves that even people in the government can become annoyed and disapointed with it. There is clearly issues that need to be addressed in the Congress. Bayh worked extremely hard to get elected and continued to work hard afterwards. He would not throw all of that away unless something seriously bothered him about the ways things are being handled in congress.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Connor that there is something wrong in congress. A senator that gave up so much money and time into a campaign should not be willing to just give up his seat. Obviously there are things happening in congress that even the senators are not happy with. It is not an encouraging thing to think about that our senators are bothered by something enough to just retire. The problem was apparently out of Bayh's control.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joey. I think we should be worried about the events that led to this decision and the long term effect it will have. It is not a common occurence for a senator that supposably has a chance to represent his party in the presidential elections to retire. Bayh is still young and has a big future ahead of him in politics if he is not too upset by the actions of the government recently. Hopefully Bayh will eventually come back and continue to lead our country.
ReplyDeleteFrom Senator Bayh retiring, it basaclly shows that peole get tired of their jobs. Bayh odvislly didn’t like something that happened, or it was a personal descision. I think something needs to be done to fix it, so that more people in the future and present don’t leave also. Maybe it was for the best, everything happens for a reason!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie, people do get tired of what they do, and their could have been something wrong in the system. He has worked verry hard to achieve what he has gotten and how far he has became. I don’t think he has much of a chance to run for president.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with joey. I think the us should be some what worried, our own senator doesn’t like our congress. And if he does decide to run against obama, it wont happen. People love obama and the things hes promised for our country. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteThis says that the state of the U.S. congress is not good if a senator who was garunteed to win another term quit. Citizens should we worried of what corruptions or problems in the congress made Bayh quit. I do not believe Bayh would beat out President Obama because of his retirement from congress.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gavin when he says that there must be a major problem with the U.S. Congress if a congressmen who has worked his whole life to get in the position he's in now and garunteed to win another term and just quits.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Massing when he says that Bayh's retirement is not really a wake up call. He's just one member of the Congress. Now if more people started to retire then the situation would be a bit more concerning.
ReplyDeleteThis says that congress is not very good right now if a guy that had alot of power was just willing to give up his spot like that. I believe that it will just be another bussiness as usual kind of thing again. I think that we as citizens should be worried about what is going on in Washington because if he was willing to give up his spot like that then it must be getting pretty bad there. I do think that Bayh has a chance to beat Obama in the next election.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with massing when he says that Bayh's retirement is not really a wake up call because as mason said that is only one person to leave and if more people started to leave then it would be obvious that there is a huge problem in Washington.
ReplyDeleteWell I think that it's his personal choice, but it does make one wonder why would he give up a spot that he worked for and put in all that effort to just throw it away. Senator Bayh's decision just proves that even people in the government can become annoyed and disappointed with it. There is clearly issues that need to be addressed in the Congress.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Massing when he says that Bayh's retirement is not really a wake up call. He's just one member of the Congress. Maybe if more senators had chosen to retire this year, then maybe it would pose a threat.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Connor that there is something wrong in congress. A senator that gave up so much money and time into a campaign should not be willing to just give up his seat. This could be a threat but as of right now, i am still unsure what to believe.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with connor when he says that something is wrong with connor if Bayh was willing to give up his seat. They need to figure out how to fix this issue before this continues to happen.
ReplyDeleteI think that Washington is too focused on voting towards what your party is in favor of. Instead of voting on what they as an individual think is right. I think that this needs to be corrected because congressmen are pressured into accepting what their party thinks is right
ReplyDeleteI agree with Connor when he says that something has to be wrong when Bayh refuses to take his seat. The issue at hand needs to be fixed so that everyone can do their job
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with Massing, I think that Bayh turning down his seat will raise interest into fixing the problem. A congressman does not just leave his seat for no reason, so I think people will try to correct this problem in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI dont think that the retirement of Bayh will really affect the actions that happen in Washington. IT will be a temporary headline and blow over in a week or two. I dont think he will have a chance at Obama for the Presidency but its too far away to tell right now.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mitchell Congress does need to change they worry more about their party than they actual problems that are addressed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jake that the politics in Congress can become annoying to one is something that needs to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteI do not think this will be a wake up call in congress. I believe that Congress will just go back to business and argue back and forth. Senators and Representatives are too stubborn and I don't think this will change it. If Bayh runs for President I do think he might have a chance because there are many people not happy with what Obama is doing with taxes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Connor that there is a serious problem. A Senator that is a proven winner stepping down just doesn't seem right. i think that the senators need to put their differences aside and try to do what is best for our country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brendan that Bayh stepping down wasn't a wakeup call. Like I said earlier the senators are too stubborn and are only interested in what is good for themselves. if the senators put their differences aside and worked together I think this could make a difference.
ReplyDelete