Word is that Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) may run against Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN).

When I worried out loud that Pence would have to risk a great deal to run, a smart friend of mine cut to the chase: “Pence has to run. If 2010 isn’t the time to defeat Bayh, there will never be a time to beat him.”

Why would I, a strong supporter of Pence, have such a timid initial reaction to this perfect match up — one that Pence can win?

Because of people like Sean Hannity.

Over the years, Sean has been quite welcoming to the soft-spoken Bayh, giving him face time and radio time to spout his foolish claims about being less than the born-and-bred liberal he is.

It’s conservatism by association. And it’s worked beautifully for Bayh.

Here’s just one example from August, 2009:

HANNITY: Do you think the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left?
BAYH: Well, I find myself having a more moderate to conservative fiscal and economic outlook, and a little more forceful outlook on national security than some members of my party. But look, you know, both extremes. Whether it’s on the far left or the far right, tend to not really speak to the American people and come up with practical solutions.

And my guess is what the vast majority of your viewers want, whether they’re Democrats or Republicans, or regardless of ideology, they want what works. What will matter in their daily lives. And enough of this politics and enough of this ideology.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/30147

Evan Bayh could not be more wrong. It’s all about ideology. It’s all about which world view will inform individual choices; daily lives flow from ideology. That’s why so many people who voted for Obama now regret that choice, because of the day-to-day repercussions of his ideology. That’s why so many voters have lost their jobs — because companies have no choice but to cut positions when liberals (acting on their “politics” and their “ideology”) pass laws that cripple the economy.

Not surprisingly, this week Bayh has been widely quoted as saying Brown’s upset victory in Massachusetts is a “wake-up call” for Democrats. Whoopee. For Bayh, that just means that Coakley didn’t know how to cover her tracks and dupe the electorate as he’s been able to do.

Of course, Sean Hannity quoted Bayh’s “wake-up call” comment during an interview with John McCain this week. And that’s exactly what Bayh wants. He wants to be considered the Sarah Palin of his party, but it’s all a lie. This week, Bayh pulled the same old play out of his playbook to try to save his Senate seat:

“ The only [way] we are able to govern successfully in this country is by liberals and progressives making common cause with independents and moderates,” Bayh said.  “Whenever you have just the furthest left elements of the Dem party attempting to impose their will on the rest of the country — that’s not going to work too well.” 

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/01/bayh-warns-catastrophe-if-dems-ignore-massachusetts-senate-race-lessons.html

So according to Bayh, there are 1) liberals, 2) progressives, 3) independents, and 4) moderates. Is that all? Have we missed anyone? How about CONSERVATIVES? Did he forget about them? I guess that’s because they have no “common cause” in governing with Bayh and his buddies. How true.

Up to this point, Evan Bayh has been almost impossible to pin down, but he showed his true colors by voting for the health care debacle, and stating publicly that it was a wrenching choice, while privately rallying the Democrats with anti-Republican, anti-conservative rhetoric behind the scenes.

So, Sean Hannity, it all comes back to you:

In 2010, you would be doing the country a great favor by forgetting to book Evan Bayh on your TV and radio shows. Just lose his number. Don’t return his calls. Stop offering free commercial time for Bayh-the-candidate to back peddle, provide excuses, and regurgitate flowery, conciliatory rhetoric to save his political life.

Or at the very least, Sean, stop treating Evan Bayh like a favorite colleague. A true conservative is going to take Bayh out this year — if you don’t get in the way.