Bayh: 'Yes' to VP

Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 1:51 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Asked by NBC's Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC this afternoon if he would accept being vice president if asked, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) said, in part, It's not something you turn down. "The answer to that is 'Yes,'" he said.

VIDEO: Speaking with NBC's Andrea Mitchell, Sen. Evan Bayh says he would accept an invitation to join the Obama ticket.

When asked if he was being vetted by the Obama campaign, he didn't say no, and, in fact, intimated that he is being vetted.

*** UPDATE *** Here's the exchange:
MITCHELL: Let me ask you the question that Brian Williams asked Joe Biden on Sunday on Meet the Press, if asked, would you serve, vice president?

BAYH: I don't think it's the kind of thing you say no to, Andrea. The answer to that is yes. I love my day job. I'm not looking to change, but if someone who will be leading the country comes to you and says I need your help. I want you to do this. Of course. If you care about serving your country that is the kind of thing that you do.

AM: And has the vetting begun?

EB: Well, I can't talk about that as you can appreciate, otherwise I disqualify myself from consideration [smiles]. But they have a process. That process should go forward. And we'll just see where it leads, and it's Sen. Obama's decision to make and his alone, and I think he's the one that should be allowed to speak about these kinds of things.

AM: I'm going to take that as a yes -- (EB laughs) Senator, let me just add it all up: red state, Indiana; Armed Services Committee; broad record on economic issues; foreign policy experience; former governor. Not a bad resume.

EB: You're sounding like Sus---

AM: I can say it, you don't have to-- (EB laughs)

EB: I'd be immodest if I agreed with you, Andrea. Look, this country-- This is a big stakes election. We have major challenges. Particularly the middle class economic challenges that face our country. Barack Obama is dedicated to addressing those issues; to making the progress and the change the American people deserve. And I'll help him in any way I can. I'm in the United States Senate now. I'm happy to help. And we should all have that same attitude, I think.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

5.a clinton supporter, and he's always spoken positively about Obama
6.and finally, go to obamabayh08.com... you'll find it redirects to Obama's campaign website. interesting omen, huH?
Cheerio44 (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:28 PM)
***************************
As for pt 5 -- He did not always speak positively of Obama. I remember the Indiana Primaries where he was campaigning for Clinton and said that the bitter remarks were elitist. He said the people of Indiana should really look at this candidate and think about whether they want someone out of touch with Indiana as President.

As for pt 6 - It has Obama in it. Of course, it's going to redirect to Obama's site.

Obama/Clark '08

Michelle, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:38 PM)

Olberman's non train ride

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25357079#25357079

Terry, IN (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:43 PM)

Bayh is perfect, because he is boring. Mccain will eat both of these guys for lunch. Does anyone honestly believe that Obama knows anything about national security? Bayh is simply another fake. Obama lacks substance, and sooner, or later the American people will see just how much Obama doesn't know.

Joseph, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:50 PM)

Kevin, page 6 is hardly a reliable source

Julie Harris (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:53 PM)

I've thought all along the short, short list was Warner, Bayh, Strickland and Zinni, with an acknowledgement that Zinni was the darkhorse of the four.

Since Strickland is giving us a Shermanesque refusal, and Warner seems set to avoid a national campaign (because of Clinton dirt?), it looks like its down to Bayh and Zinni.

Zinni was on that list of 16, despite no one in the cable or blogger world that I know of except me calling it, and I haven't heard much buzz on him since. So at this point I have to guess its Bayh, assuming he comes through vetting okay.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:54 PM)

Bahy is a solid pick but I think Obama needs someone with military and/or foreign policy experience. Biden ma y be a little too outspoken for a Obama presidency. It might not be so bad to reach out to Hagel for the VP spot.

Dee, AZ (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:00 PM)

Only an idiot named Rick from Hilltucky, N.C., would posit a "young Indiana senator selected by an older presidential candidate," since Bayh is older than Obama.

Moron.

Oh, and don't forget the 1981 championship, chump.

Sam, Muncie, Ind. (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:01 PM)

I saw him recently when they did the Jefferson Jackson Dinner I believe on C-Span that night in Indiana before the Primary and I liked him immediately. He has the personality and the right creds for the job.

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:06 PM)

I have to give him credit for answering the question honestly and coming right out and saying he'd accept. Why is everyone supposed to pretend they are not interested? That never made sense to me.

Laura, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:10 PM)

So now we hear none other then Keith Olbermann had an absolute hissy fit when someone couldn't get him a first class train ticket last week. What's the matter Keith, you have to ride in the box car with the other liberal bums that don't have jobs?

Hey Kevin,

That might be ture accept for one small detail the Post reporter missed THE FACT THAT KEITH DROVE TO WASHINGTON IN A CAR!!!!!! That is why you should stop reading that rag because the reporters (Gag) for the post just make s__t up instead of doing their jobs.

Greg Chicago (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:10 PM)

In the "we-really-need-some-eye-candy-in-this-election" category, Evan Bayh is nearly as good-looking as John Edwards.
---------------------------------
Fits with the "no Muslim women in hijabs" mentality.

irkle (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:12 PM)

I hope Joe Biden is Obama's VP.
They would be a great team.

Doris,Memphis,TN (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:13 PM)

Bayh is boring! I can't believe he really talks the way he does. He sounds just like a politician.
--------------------------------
Yes, he is a politician....just like OBAMABOOZLE is. I'd trust Bayh a whole lot further than I would OBAMABOOZLE.

irkle (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:15 PM)

Oh Gosh No Marcel from Las Vegas. He can't pick any Republican, even John Hagle. He is way too conservative socially anyway. Just think of it, those why like to abbreviate everything in order to negatively classify certain groups could use "ObamaHags" as a slur to degrade voters who might support that ticket. "Don't be an ObamaHag!!! Vote McSame instead"! Besides, its time the Democrats had a real shot at turning the place around with only minimal interference from the Republicans, and lets face it -- interfere is what Republicans do best. Lets not hand one the VP spot. That is way too generous.

Joe (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:16 PM)

Probably too late,
but I didn't know dude was also Governor at one point. Geez, not that I'm looking, but I bet he'd bring a LOT of women as he's probably some eye candy for some. Particulary that lady in Hawaii.
Biden brings a lot of foreign experience.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:17 PM)

Sing along..... "Bayh, Bayh love, hello Obama-ness, hell-o-dem-o-cra-tic-ness, his words are just like sweet caress...I think i'm gonna cry. So Bayh Bayh McSame, Bayh Bayh.... Bayh, Bayh McSame Bayh, Bayh!

EB would make a great choice for VP!

Joe; White Bear Lake, MN (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:22 PM)

I didn't like Bayh... but now, I do.

PJ (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:25 PM)

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