Trouble for Democrats?

The announcement this week that Indiana Senator Evan Bayh was not running for a third term has sent ripples through the National Democratic Party.  Bayh was twice a finalist for the vice president position and known as a Democrat who could work both sides of the aisle.  This plus the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts takes away two strong Democratic seats.  Bayh's last minute decision hurts his party, because they don't have the time to properly search and advertise their candidate for the seat.  Bayh was running unopposed in this primary.  This decision also hurts the Republicans too.  Yes former Senator Dan Coats is running for the Republican seat, but he's been out 12 years and worked as a lobbyist during that time.  After that, its a mix of unknown or little known names behind him, none with any type of cred.  This may be a blessing in disguise for the Democrats.  They can hand pick the successor for Bayh while the has beens and unknowns duke it out for a chance at November.  The Democrats can pick the candidate and use all their resources to to get their person elected.  In the end, Bayh's decision does hurt his party and his state.  Maybe in a few years he decides to come back and make a run at it.  Washington will be a poorer place without him there.