War Support Makes Bayh a Risky VP Choice

During the Senate debate on the Iraq war, Evan Bayh was among the leading proponents for invasion, claiming there was “no other credible alternative to protect the safety and well-being of the American people.” But that hawkish push is haunting him, reports the New York Times, now that the Indiana senator is high on the VP shortlist for Barack Obama—who has campaigned heavily on his early opposition for the war.

Bayh would bring much strength to the table. He could theoretically put the solidly red Indiana into play, has lots of experience, and was a major Hillary surrogate. But though he has since changed course on the war, his time co-chairing the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq could alienate key moderates. Said one anti-war activist, “He was not only wrong, he was aggressively wrong.” (More Barack Obama stories.)