Evan Bayh is backing out of the ’08 race, in what seems like a rather abrupt about face, considering he was just in NH a week ago at a meet and greet reception.

FOX News reports, “Bayh made the decision depsite having made several visits to test states like Iowa and New Hampshire, and raising millions of dollars toward a possible White House run.”

Bayh is reported to have raised “more than $10 million, making him compettive with other top possible Democratic presidential candidates,” including Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and former Senator John Edwards.

However, future fundraising considerations may have been a factor as it is believed that Clinton will get a large share of financial support from party backers in 2007.

Personality issues may have been a concern as well as some insiders told FOX News that Bayh showed very little “fire in the belly” as a presidential prospect. Some of his supporters have acknowledged that his relaxed demeanor and calm tone lacked presidential charisma, even though Bayh has been re-elected by large margins in a red state over the past 20 years.

Bayh’s decision was made public tonight in a statement released to The Indianapolis Star:

“As you know I have been exploring helping the people of my state and our country in a different capacity,” he wrote. “After talking with family and friends over the past several days, I have decided that this is not the year for me to run for President and I will not be a candidate for the presidency in 2008.

“It wasn’t an easy decision but it was the right one for my family, my friends and my state. I have always prided myself on putting my public responsibilities ahead of my own ambitions.”

He conceded the odds were against him, describing himself as a “relatively unknown candidate.”

“This path — and these long odds — would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation,” he said in the statement.

“There may be no campaign in the near future, but there is much work to be done. When the Senate returns, I will focus on the issues that matter to the people of my state and are critical to the future of the nation including reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating opportunity for middle class families, and implementing a national security strategy that is both tough and smart.”

His decision comes less than “two weeks after he announced he was preparing to create a presidential exploratory committee as a step toward a bid for President in 2008.”

Bayh serves on five Senate committees: Banking Housing and Urban Affairs, Armed Services; the Select Committee on Intelligence; the Special Committee on Aging; and the Small Business Committee.

It’s interesting to see that as Bayh drops out FAUX News pushes Hillary as the big money contender. More and more it seems like the Noise Machine is hell bent on controlling who the Democratic nominee is. While I was not a Bayh supporter, I think it’s rather sad to see another possible candidate dropping out. Perhaps the MSM can let the people choose who they want as the nominee…

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