The Unfilled Cavity of Evan Bayh
posted at 2:35 pm on August 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama campaigned in Elkhart today with the man many predict will join the Democratic ticket, Senator and former Governor Evan Bayh. Unfortunately, Bayh proved himself just as adept at energy policy and honesty as his party’s nominee, and a good deal less adept at turning a phrase:
During the primary, Bayh supported Hillary Clinton. On Wednesday, he was a cheerleader for Obama and attacked John McCain’s policy on drilling for oil.
“Senator McCain yesterday was saying that his solution to America’s energy challenge was to drill, drill drill. Well, that sounded a lot like my dentist to me. Look even Arnold Schwarznegger - the governator - who’s known for being a fairly straight shooter, says that drilling alone is not the answer to American’s energy challenge,” said Bayh.
“We need to give an energy rebate to families to give them some immediate relief. The mother who is having to cut back on groceries because of rising gas prices. The guy I met who couldn’t fill up his gas tank to go on a job search, didn’t have the money. I’ve said that we need a $1,000 rebate - energy rebate to provide families a little bit of relief over the next four to six months,” Obama said.
“Drill” sounds like the dentist? Oh, Lord. Do the Democrats think that’s funny to people paying $50 to fill their tanks, or paying skyrocketing prices on produce and other goods at the market? If they only consider drilling in dental terms, then they need a mental root canal before being allowed anywhere near energy policy.
John McCain hasn’t said that drilling alone would solve America’s energy challenge. His Lexington Project in fact argues exactly the opposite — and he wants to support a broad range of new energy supply sources, including clean coal, nuclear, and increased domestic production of oil. McCain has managed to learn that “drill” has another context besides cleaning up cavities. Maybe the Democrats should take the time to learn that as well, and in the meantime maybe Bayh should study a little more to see exactly what McCain proposes. Maybe he’d even agree with McCain if he bothered to learn it.
Meanwhile, Obama continues to flog his rebate plan with the anecdote of the man who didn’t have enough gas in his tank to look for a job. If Democrats had allowed drilling in the mid-90s when the Republicans proposed it, we’d be reaping the benefits now, and that man would have plenty of money to fill his tank. If Obama and the Democrats would support it now, we’d have lots of new jobs here in the US available for that man instead of sending our wealth overseas.
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Um, if you add offshore oil, with shale… why can’t we drill our way to energy independence?
The resources are there.
Romeo13 on August 6, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Oddly enough, Paris Hilton sounds more intelligent than Evan Bayh.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Oh good, another rebate offer, courtesy of your caring and concerned Democratic Party. Hey Evan, one question: who is going to wind up paying for the rebate?
Government now needs to get out of the “giveaway” business and start looking hard for viable solutions here to the current energy problem, not quick-fix-er-ups that we will wind up in the long run paying for.
pilamaye on August 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Ed,
That’s what’s really dishonest. They know this, but instead keep spreading the lie that Republicans just want to drill.
shick on August 6, 2008 at 2:44 PM
This is the question:
Until all these other energy sources get on line, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET OUR OIL? Here, or from countries who hate us and take our money to buy bombs to attack us?
I vote for HERE, where we get jobs and keep the $ at home.
JustTruth101 on August 6, 2008 at 2:44 PM
$50? I wish: try $70 for me
jp on August 6, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Again, remember that Evan Bayh is a political legacy. His daddy’s name is what got him his lofty positions. McCain is at least first generation politics. The “old” politics would be well represented by Evan Bayh.
Buford Gooch on August 6, 2008 at 2:45 PM
“White Haired Guy/Celebutard ‘08″
Yeah, that’s the ticket!
Califemme on August 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM
“Energy Policy”
Add that to the long list of things the fedgov has no constitutional authority to legislate, yet does.
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM
The Democrats have NO ONE who has any idea at all about how to deal with the issues facing Americans.
Everything Democrats say is prefabricated, focus group tested, hypercoordinated talking points.
Democrats have all of the substance of cotton candy. Just useless people, mindlessly flailing.
NoDonkey on August 6, 2008 at 2:47 PM
It may cost me $70 to fill up my 5.7 V8 hemi, but I make sure I get ‘global warming’-value for my bucks by flooring the mutha. My computer tells me I managed to get 6 mpg at one point.
Awesome. Made me feel warmer anyway.
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 2:49 PM
In the other post where BO is debating the alleged “John McCain proxy” TV reporter, BO claimed there as well that McCain “opposes” other energy sources.
This lie is the new Dem mantra.
jgapinoy on August 6, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Republicans are held to a higher standard (by the public) because the public know how dumb most Democrat politicians are.
Exhibit A: Silky Jr. (Bahy, not Silky’s love-child)
omnipotent on August 6, 2008 at 2:50 PM
He must still be thinking of those two rotund blobs in that NPR story from a while back.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Yeah they know. They’ll push this meme though just like the McCain = Bush thing.
Dash on August 6, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Yeah, this whole debate is framed wrong. It’s not a question of who has the better plan to bring energy prices down. It should be a question of who will get the gov’t out of the way so the private sector can meet the demand for both energy efficiency and new sources of energy.
trubble on August 6, 2008 at 2:51 PM
… attacked John McCain’s policy on drilling for oil.
(In the voice of Sen. Palpatine): “Good. GOOOOOOOOOOOD!”
Keep it up, Dems. Keep on telling the Public that ‘we can’t drill our way out of this’. The more ya do that, the more seats we win in Nov. and the bigger the landslide destruction of the Chosen One.
Tony737 on August 6, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Well, that’s whom I’ve got for my senators here in Indiana: white-haired guy older than dirt (Dick Lugar) and hangs with celeb pretty boy (Evan Bayh).
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 2:53 PM
If we can’t drill for oil, can we at least harvest blubber from these two when they keel over from heart failure?
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Weren’t they saying last year that the threshold was $100 a barrel? That if it got above that, extracting oil from shale would become economically viable?
What happened?
S. Weasel on August 6, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Tru dat!
I want a carbon offset for that. We would be using a renewable resource. No matter where you live, there’s always a supply of fat people.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 2:55 PM
where are you guys getting filled up? My last fillup was $99.75!!11
jdpaz on August 6, 2008 at 2:55 PM
By all means, let’s inject a big dose of demand-side stimulus into the energy equation. That’ll get those gas and food prices down pronto.
Senator Bayh, meet my freshman Econ professor. Professor Johnson, meet your new remedial student.
Tongueboy on August 6, 2008 at 2:56 PM
The Dems repetition of “Drill, Drill, Drill” as if that is all that we are calling for is the same straw man they threw out during the immigration debate when they said “we can’t deport 20 million people”, something no one claimed could be done.
DerKrieger on August 6, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Don’t you know that there’s an endangered woodbug in Colorado!!!???
marklmail on August 6, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Oh man…..how about setting up a van with a free liposuction service? Drive around, suck fat outta lardy asses, convert to biodiesel.
Healthcare ‘crisis’ and energy ‘crisis’ solved!
I know. I’m a genius.
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Me likey…
juanito on August 6, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Evan Bayh is as arrogant as Obama. I saw him several weeks ago on “Fox News Sunday” debating Tim Pawlenty. He is as uninformed and smug as Obama. The two are perfect for each other.
jencab on August 6, 2008 at 2:59 PM
*crunch*
Not any more ;)
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 3:00 PM
As a dentist (a new politically correct protected group), I am offended.
gmbdds on August 6, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I wish someone would ask Obama “How does your new $1000 rebate differ from buying off votes from people? Your trying to bribe them with someone else’s money”
Rbastid on August 6, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Like the global warmers, the more the plan the donks have for energy independence is shown to be a farce the more shrill and inane their debate becomes.
jukin on August 6, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Oh I’m sure his cavity has been filled alright….we can expect his “I am a gay homosexual American” speech anytime soon……
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I’m down. I’ve got 50 bucks in seed money to get our company off of the ground. Oh wait. I need gas. OK, I’ve 10 bucks….wait, I need a snack for the way home….OK. Will 5 bucks get us started? I know the perfect place to set up shop: Trailer parks!
Name of the company? F.A.G., Inc. (Fat Ass Gas, Incorporated) Celebrities would be coming for miles around for touch-ups and think they were helping the environment.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Dude, it’s been going on for 60+ years now. It’s called welfare, Social Security, etc.
I’d be in favor of (and I think Neal Boortz has said this) plan where if you are taking government money, you lose the privilege of voting.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 6, 2008 at 3:04 PM
I’ve got a shop vac and a hunting knife, and we can borrow my nephew’s radio flyer wagon.
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Damn straight.
Of course, I’d rather see an end to all gubmint welfare…..
LimeyGeek on August 6, 2008 at 3:07 PM
My God! My eyes! Nurse, Bleach, stat!
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 3:08 PM
I thought they were going to fund the $1,000 rebate with a windfall profits tax but it sounds more and more like another $65B in deficit spending.
Dusty on August 6, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Have feet will travel to find a job. That because I have the “The Pump” shoes. Wonder if I need to make sure they are properly inflated?
jdsmith0021 on August 6, 2008 at 3:09 PM
What is it with Bayh and Udall? They drink from the same can or something?
john1schn on August 6, 2008 at 3:10 PM
“The unfilled Cavity of Evan Bayh.”
That headline alone was shear genius.
My mom was a big fan of his Dad(?), Birch Bayh. Perhaps the nut rolled far from the tree or maybe my mom was just smitten with his good looks…she was a sucker for the Erroll Flynn type of guy.
Earth to Evan: Drilling for cavities is necessary, that’s why the dentist has novacane.
I got an idea! You and your empty-headed Democohorts get Nancy Legosi to say OK to ‘drill here, drill now’ and I’ll send you the pain killers. Sounds like a deal to me.
(I think Nancy’s motto is: ‘Suck ‘em dry, then refuse to give them a transfusion’–if you don’t mind the vampire reference.)
Christine on August 6, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Evan Bayh looks good and he seems like a nice enough guy, but he’s woefully daft…
D2Boston on August 6, 2008 at 3:14 PM
I’d hate to see Bayh have to become politically more ccontrained. I remember that back in 2003 he helpfully confirmed that “Senator Rockefeller has been under intense pressure - intense pressure - by some others to pursue a much more partisan line….” in the Senate Intelligence Committee, see Pat Roberts on ‘FOX News Sunday’ - Nov 9, 2003, FoxNews http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102590,00.html
ForNow on August 6, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Buh Bayh… DLTDHYOTAOTWO
max1 on August 6, 2008 at 3:18 PM
LOL…. 2001 5.9 Durango RT… rebuilt intake, exhaust, high perf chip, high flow Cat converter, and SUPERCHARGED (way aftermarket)….
Blown two transmissions so far… runs a bit over 425 horses… but gets me to the ski resorts in a HURRY!
Romeo13 on August 6, 2008 at 3:18 PM
“Drill” sounds like the dentist? Oh, Lord. Do the Democrats think that’s funny to people paying $50 to fill their tanks, or paying skyrocketing prices on produce and other goods at the market?
Fuel efficiency should be mocked? Do Republicans think that’s funny to people paying $50 to fill their tanks?
Spare us your false indignation.
Tom_Shipley on August 6, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I wish the Dems would pay me a $1000 so I could buy a specially handtooled steel-tipped boot to kick their worthless asses.
TexasJew on August 6, 2008 at 3:20 PM
The GD politicians just need to get the He!! out of the way and let the citizens of this counrty go about our business. We don’t need anything other than for the Feds to get…out…of…the…way!
DerKrieger on August 6, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Obama ‘08: Because Drilling Is For Dentists
Works for me.
Cicero43 on August 6, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Ha ha ha. With arguments like that who could advocate drilling for oil with a straight face?
Liberalism is an emotional problem. Period.
Akzed on August 6, 2008 at 3:31 PM
If Evan Bayh were a Republican, the MSM would be correctly tagging him as the lightweight son of a heavyweight dad. His father Birch Bayh, was a pretty good senator. His son Evan is a lightweight. If his last name wasn’t Bayh, he would be doing real estate closings in Terry Haute.
Larraby on August 6, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Chortle!
I did laugh out loud at that one, thanks.
Bob's Kid on August 6, 2008 at 3:35 PM
The Democrat campaign for the presidency has reduced the average IQ in this country measurably.
Jaibones on August 6, 2008 at 3:37 PM
John McCain has a multifaceted approach to the “energy challenge”. He is not like Obama who thinks that just one thing, inflating tires, will be the sole answer.
MB4 on August 6, 2008 at 3:51 PM
What is wrong with drilling by the dentist? If you have a cavity/decay it is a good thing that is necessary and an overall benefit to your health. So Bayh/Obama are making a case that we should all have bad rotting teeth? Maybe the RNC would should send Obama some old rotten teeth (or dentures) along with the tire gauges. Maybe he will get it.
jerseyman on August 6, 2008 at 4:05 PM
I really do hate strawmen. Every time a politician uses one, I cringe. The only way the Democrats can beat McCain on this issue is to willfully deceive voters about his policy. Painting him as a “drill only” candidate is their only hope, because his more comprehensive plan is just too damn sensible.
Wouldn’t a windfall profit tax on the oil companies take over a year to get in through the Treasury? How can Obama give people immediate $1000 checks when Big Oil has to actually have time to be charged extra taxes on revenue first?
What happens after those four to six months, Obama? Will Charlie the magical unicorn come and save the day?
Seixon on August 6, 2008 at 4:16 PM
I like that. My four to six month government allotment for gasoline will be $1000.
BigD on August 6, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Yes, but has that mother who is cutting back on her groceries checked her car tire pressure? Problem solved.
kerrhome on August 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
I like that picture, too. “You put your finger in your ear and go ‘ting-a-ling-a-loo.’”
BigD on August 6, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Code words. They are making fun of McCain’s teeth (again).
Brat on August 6, 2008 at 4:28 PM
I heard Bayh on Fox News Sunday. He was across from Joe Lieberman. Lieberman threw his hands up in frustration at Evan Motor Mouth. Ya just couldn’t shut Bayh up! Someone threaten to stab with a rusty nail! Wallace asked him if he was being vetted for VP. Bayh did a really poor job of playing coy. And why he wouldn’t shut up then became embarrassingly obvious to the audience: the video could be shown Caroline Kennedy to enhance his resume’. “See, I can be jerk for BHO!!! Pick me! Pick me!”
Amendment X on August 6, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I live in Indiana. Bayh was a very popular Governor. But he has changed since he went to DC. At least a lot of people think so. But his father Birch was a big deal here. Indiana is a red state. I can’t imagine it going for Obama, but whatever Bayh might have sounded like he carries a lot of weight in this state.
Terrye on August 6, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Bayh’s a raging anti-dentite!!
Brat on August 6, 2008 at 5:05 PM
That’s at least three times that guy that can go meet with Obambi but can’t buy gas for a job search has been trotted out.
I want somebody to produce this guy and if there is verifiable proof that he exists and there’s any way that he can go meet Obama and has a reason that he’s in that situation that makes Barry keep telling us about the guy instead of having had a talk with the guy about ways to find a job closer to home then I’ll buy the guy a tank of gas.
RW_theoriginal on August 6, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Obama is trying to bribe people into voting for him, vote for me I will give you $1000!
McCain should just match him on the bribe or do one better and say hey your only give $1000? I will make it $1250 but it will come out of earmarks and pork barrel spending because under me NO EARMARKS and NO PORK, give you back your own money and NOT tax someone else!
Chakra Hammer on August 6, 2008 at 6:10 PM
No need for Bayh to learn anything. He already knows that McCain doesn’t believe that drilling alone will solve the problem. Bayh simply is lying.
It’s apparent that in the last two to three presidential elections, the Democrats have become progressively nastier at attacking Republican candidates for positions the Democrats well know Republicans don’t hold. It’s no longer about truth; it’s about what you have to say to get elected.
Unfortunately, the Republicans don’t offer a clear, detailed rebuttal against any of these lies (100 years in Iraq, contributions from big oil companies, drilling, etc). These would make great political ads–restate the lie, deny it, and then clearly state McCain’s position positively. So far I haven’t seen one clear response to these lies, and that’s a real shame because they’re so obvious they’re begging to be addressed.
At least, call Obama on negative campaigning. It’s odd that McCain’s Obama celebrity ad is marked by the MSM as the first major negative campaign ad. Obama began negatively (Bush/McCain war, four more years of Bush, Washington insider McCain, big oil support. . .).
Republicans don’t have to get down into the mire with Obama to fight him, they just need to state the facts in an understandable way.
under on August 6, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Are these clowns for real? AND I WORK with the jack asses who vote these people into office.
leftnomore on August 6, 2008 at 8:34 PM
McCain– hire this commentator!
leftnomore on August 6, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Oil is worth exactly $0.00….. in the ground. Only has worth and purpose when brought to the surface.
sMack on August 6, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Giving $1,000 is another temporary solution, and O was quick enough to condemn Hillary and McCain for wanting to reduce the gas tax over the summer. What’s the difference?
waterfall on August 6, 2008 at 10:17 PM
$1000. Let’s see how far that goes for a “medium sized” drive to work each day. 30 MPG is a very generous number, I suspect. But let’s use it. A medium sized commute in this area is 60 miles, four gallons per day. At $4/gallon that’s
$16 per day, $80/week, of about $350/month. $1000 goes for
about 3 months of gas - maybe 4 months of extra expense for
gas at the price it should be and would be had we drilled 10 years ago when the Democrats said it’d not help for at least 10 years. They were right, we’re still hurting 10 years later. But that’s because the Democrats used that as an excuse to prohibit drilling - where there is oil. Now, a $3000 to $4000 rebate would at least allow those with medium commutes to survive.
There are, however, people who work down here in the low desert and commute to their homes in Victorville. That’s somewhat more than a mere 60 mile commute. It’s stop and go both ways. I’ve seen cars backing up on the 15 where it goes through Ontario and Etiwanda. I feel sorry for those folks. For them the extra cost of gas is closer to $7,000 to $10,000 per year. I doubt THEY are happy with la Pelosi or dour Reid these days.
{^_^}
herself on August 7, 2008 at 1:05 AM
I live about 1/2 mile from work. Most of the places I shop are within 5 miles. I fill up my Saturn’s 10 gallon tank about twice a month.
Man, I love small towns.
MarkTheGreat on August 7, 2008 at 8:29 AM
Obama would reply that he was just returning their money that was stolen by the “evil” (TM) oil companies.
And the MSM would lap it up.
MarkTheGreat on August 7, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Would that include those who work for govt?
I think it should.
MarkTheGreat on August 7, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Yep. Because they would vote for politicians that support expanding the size of government. It’s like Democrats and inner-city voters.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 7, 2008 at 9:12 AM
… yeah, but they’ll only last for about 700 years. Would someone please think of the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren.
Wingo on August 7, 2008 at 12:58 PM