Bayh not a ‘raging Norwegian’

One of President Obama’s centrist critics said his
Scandinavian ancestry could explain why he has not been more vocal with his
objections in the past.

Speaking on Fox News Channel Friday, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.)
blamed his Midwestern roots for why he has not spoken up more publicly with his
thoughts that Democrats have veered too far to the left. Retiring this year
from Congress, Bayh told Fox’s Sean Hannity that his party’s leaders overreached
during the past two years in Washington.

“Maybe it’s the mild-mannered Midwestern in me coming out or
maybe it’s my mother’s Scandinavian heritage. There aren’t too many raging
Norwegians out there,” Bayh said.

Bayh, who was on President Obama’s short list for vice
president, said he has voiced his criticisms in private talks with Democratic
leaders. He also hopes recent heavy election losses will push his party
rightward.

“I try to make my points privately but forcefully. And then,
you know, give him a chance, see if my counsel isn’t heeded, well, we’ll see
what happens. And hopefully now we’ll have a midcourse correction and we can
have a long term strategy for getting the deficit down,” Bayh said. 

One suggestion the Indiana senator had was Democrats should
join with Republicans in their earmark moratorium. Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-Nev.) has not followed his counterpart, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
(R-Ky.), in supporting a moratorium. Bayh has not requested earmarks for the
past two years and has co-sponsored legislation to ban the practice.

“In a time when [Americans are] struggling, having to make
ends meet, tighten their belt, that kind of thing, I think members of Congress
can show leadership by giving up some of these earmarks and showing look, we’re
in it with you. We’ll give up some of our perks. I think it’s the right thing
to do,” Bayh said.