Evan Bayh: "I Do Not Love Congress"
"The peoples' business is not getting done," he said during a press conference on Monday. "I do not love Congress," he added.
He stated that his decision should not reflect badly on the Obama administration or his many friends in Congress, but his decision to exit politics sends a clear signal that Bayh was fed up with business as usual in Washington, which President Obama said he would change during his campaign and first year in office.
Bayh, whose re-election to a third term as senator in 2010 was not in doubt, pointed to two recent examples of partisan politics and ideologies that has frozen legislation in the nation's capital.
"Two weeks ago, the Senate voted down a bipartisan commission to deal with one of the greatest threats facing our nation: our exploding deficits and debt. The measure would have passed, but seven members who had endorsed the idea instead voted 'no' for short-term political reasons," he said in a statement.
"Just last week, a major piece of legislation to create jobs — the public's top priority — fell apart amid complaints from both the left and right. All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state and our nation than continued service in Congress.
"I am an executive at heart and value my independence," Bayh said in criticizing partisanship. He said that he can best contribute to society by "helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor."
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