Chris Cillizza (@TheFix on Twitter) of the Washington Post just posted thisstory about Indiana Senator Evan Bayh’s dissenting ways in Washington.  Cillizza points out that Bayh has frequently been vocal with his disapproval of Obama’s policies and is leading a group of 14 centrist Democrats in weekly meetings to plot ways to increase their influence on the Hill (a one party Gang of 14).

As another reporter points out in the piece, Bayh’s move is less about policy and more about re-election.  He is up in 2010 and although Obama won Indiana in November, so did Governor Mitch Daniels.  But like Arizona, where I attended college, Indiana is a “red” state with “blue” tendencies when voters find someone they like.  In Indiana, the blue tendency led to Obama capturing its electoral votes, and in Arizona it led to the election and re-election of Janet Napolitano.  The bottom line is this: Evan Bayh is moving center for his very survival.  Being a centrist is not why Obama had Bayh on the short-list for VP.  And being on that list isn’t enough for Indiana voters.

Bayh sees the writing on the wall - the policies being enacted by the Obama Administration are not the best course of action.  Even though he more than likely agrees with the intent, and the idealology behind the moves, dissent will cement a different view in the minds of voters.  One that will potentially be a game winner for him, depending on who the GOP puts on the ballot.