Evan Bayh Challenged By More Progressive Democrat
Evan Bayh has consistently been one of the most right-leaning Democrats in the U.S. Senate. As Democrats have attempted to move progressive legislation through the Senate, Bayh has stood in opposition more than he has helped. Bayh helped George W. Bush’s agenda of war and decreasing freedoms during Bush’s term in office. Since Senator Obama entered the White House, Bayh has voted to prolong Bush’s policies, opposing the closing of the infamous prisons of Guantanamo Bay, for instance.
This year, Evan Bayh is running for re-election, but before he can enter the general election, he needs to face off against Tamyra d’Ippolito, who is challenging Bayh for the Democratic nomination. D’Ippolito’s tagline is progress, not poverty, and she does indeed come from a more progressive Democratic position than Bayh.
Unlike Bayh, d’Ippolito has offered unwavering support for health care reform. She supports strong veterans benefits, but proposes a reorganization of the military so that it can work truly for defense, with an emphasis on peace keeping rather than offensive invasions of other countries. D’Ippolito is also a strong supporter of sustainable wind and solar energy infrastructure.
The Democratic primary will be held a little more than 6 months from now, on May 4, 2010. Keep an eye on this contest as a measure of how willing Indiana Democrats are to take a stand against their party’s slide toward ideological convergence with the Republicans.
