Evan Bayh Drops Out

What can this mean? Dan Coats isn't a strong challenger, so no reason for Bayh to panic. Liberals hate Evan Bayh, of course, but since when does liberal hatred mean much to a Blue-Dog-type? Maybe he has ultra-thin skin? Quien sabe?:

INDIANAPOLIS -- Citing partisan rancor in Congress, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat, said today he will not seek a third term this year, opening up a potentially huge battleground in the conservative Hoosier State, The Indianapolis Star is reporting here.

...Bayh, a moderate who has never lost an election and occasionally flirted with running for president, was facing a challenge from Dan Coats, a former Republican senator. Analysts such as Cook Political Report had listed the race as leaning Bayh's way and so his announcement comes as a surprise.

Bayh had been raising campaign cash at decent clip and had nearly $13 million in cash on hand. According to USA TODAY's Fredreka Schouten, Bayh's bankroll put him in third place for campaign money among senators up for election this year.

"Running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough," Bayh told The Star. "And it has never been what motivates me. At this time I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor."

...Coats announced this month that he would explore a run against Bayh. He immediately came under attack from Democrats because of his work as a lobbyist after leaving Congress and because he had been living in Virginia.