13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Warner decision could help Bayh

Warner decision could help Bayh

Tom Walker/Eyewitness News

Washington, DC - Senator Evan Bayh starts the week with one less competitor in his possible bid for the White House. Former Virginia governor Mark Warner dropped his quest last week. Bayh may already be banking the benefits.

In political circles they are still stunned at Mark Warner's decision to scratch himself from the list of presidential hopeful. Warner was torn between being a candidate and having a normal family life.  Warner put it this way: "While this is the right time politically and I may never get another shot like this, it just isn't the right time for me personally."

It took one Hoosier out of the race. Warner was born in Indianapolis. But it creates more room for Evan Bayh, who is trying to create a niche for himself at the political center of the Democratic party.

"Hotline" political analyst Chuck Todd said: "He is the former red-state governor, moderate candidate."

Bayh and Warner are not only of the same political stripe. They've both been trying to position themselves as an alternative to Hillary Clinton, who is way out in front of both of them as the presumed front-runner.

Warner and Bayh both barely registered in a poll of Iowa Democrats this summer. Bayh shrugged that off.

"You know there's something kind of liberating about being an underdog. I kind of think we've managed our expectations pretty well here," he said.

Warner's exit helps Bayh, because they have both been competing for campaign money.

"And now Evan Bayh can go to those same donors and say hey I know you were with Warner because you didn't think Hillary can win. I hear you. I'm the guy that can win. I'm the other guy that can win the general election", said Todd.

Like other hopefuls, Bayh wasted no time in the attempt to cash in on Warner's announcement, clearing his schedule last week to dial up Warner donors. Money is on Senator Bayh's mind a lot these days. He was in Georgia for a candidate fundraiser over the weekend. Los Angeles is one of the money stops on his schedule this week.

Decision 2006 Election Guide