Bayh: Why people hate centrists

I consider myself a pretty standard political centrist, generally fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

And unlike a lot of my friends on the right and left, I’m pretty upbeat about the state of our Republic.

Sure, we have a lot to wrestle with these days, but as I’ve argued before our government is more fair, more responsive and more honest than ever.

When you stack our current woes against things like WW2, the Great Depression, the Civil War and the Influenza pandemic, you realize that Americans have weathered worse storms.

Which is why Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh’s resignation this week threw me into a funk. Here’s what he said in his announcement:

“For some time, I have had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should,” Mr. Bayh said. “There is too much partisanship and not enough progress — too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous challenge, the people’s business is not being done.”

So let me get this straight.

As one of the 200 most powerful people in the United States, you think our government needs to work differently.

You think the institution you’re part of is dysfunctional. And your solution is to quit?

This is why people hate centrists. Because they whine and point fingers and all too often they don’t get things done.

If Sen. Bayh felt like the “people’s business” is a priority, he should roll up his sleeves and start swinging. Make a stink.

Tell us what you believe and why we should support you.

Caucus with the Republicans if that’s what it takes. Rally a group of bipartisan Senators around your agenda. Do…something.

Here’s what really stinks about Sen. Bayh’s “I’m too good for this institution” frailty:

The US Senate isn’t even all that rancorous or dysfunctional.

There have been times in American history when Senators attacked each other physically on the Senate floor, drew pistols on one-another during debates, and challenged each other to duels.

In the 1950s, Joseph McCarthy used his position in the Senate to launch a witch hunt against the Eisenhower administration.

If Sen. Bayh had served in those days, I imagine his fragile sensibilities would have wilted under the pressure.

Ironically, his decision not to run again may give us the opportunity to watch another centrist in action.

Former Republican senator Dan Coats — who supported gun control — is running for Bayh’s seat and looks like a favorite if he can survive the GOP primary.

But grassroots conservatives are leery of backing another middle-of-the-roader.

If Sen. Bayh’s mettle is any indication, perhaps they should be.