I wonder if Evan Bayh is stunned at how much ill-will he has produced on the left. There’s hardly anyone to the left of Joe Lieberman who has a good thing to say about his career. But I don’t think he is alone. In fact he has a lot of good company among the other former chairmen of the Democratic Leadership Council. That group has been on quite a run.
Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri (1985 – 1986)- saw his presidential run fizzle in 2004, winning zero delegates in Iowa and then dropping out.
Gov. Chuck Robb of Virginia (1986 – 1988)- after a scandal-plagued career, he became one of George W. Bush’s favorite Democrats, serving on the Iraq Intelligence Commission for which his whitewash earned him a position on Bush’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia (1988 – 1990)- is mostly known for his staunch opposition to allowing gays to serve in the military, which he has since recanted. He deserves more credit among progressives for his efforts on nuclear disarmament.
Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas (1990 – 1991)- saw his wife lose her bid for the 2008 presidential nomination in large part because of progressive anger with the DLC.
Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana (1991 – 1993)- teamed up with Trent Lott to form a lobbying firm.
Rep. Dave McCurdy of Oklahoma (1993 – 1995)- currently serving as president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM).
Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut (1995 – 2001)- reviled for his lackluster performance as Gore’s vice-presidential pick, he saw his 2004 presidential run go nowhere, was kicked out of the Democratic Party in 2006, and campaigned for Sarah Palin and John McCain in 2008.
Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana (2001 – 2005)- quit the Senate because he found it too partisan.
Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa (2005 – 2007)- fairly popular governor, wonderful wife, currently serving as Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture.
Former Rep. Harold Ford of Tennessee (2007 – present)- only viable Democratic senate candidate to lose their race in 2006. Now contemplating a run for senate in New York. A laughing stock.
It should be obvious that the DLC is not popular with Democrats and does not provide a reliable avenue to increased power and influence. Bayh’s departure is just one more step in the total rejection of the DLC experiment.
