US News

O’s Bayh-way to hell

WASHINGTON — Popular Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh shocked the political world yesterday when he announced he won’t run for re-election this year, saying he’s fed up with Congress — immediately sparking speculation the moderate heartland Democrat might challenge President Obama in 2012.

“To put it in words most Hoosiers can understand: I love working for the people of Indiana, I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress,” Bayh said in Indianapolis.

Bayh, who had been on Obama’s short list for vice president, left the door open to all kinds of opportunities — which could include a long-deferred dream of a presidential run.

“My decision should not be interpreted for more than it is: a very difficult, deeply personal one. I’m an executive at heart,” Bayh said, with his tearful wife, Susan, standing behind him and twin sons, Beau and Nick, on either side.

“I value my independence. I’m not motivated by strident partisanship or ideology.”

Bayh didn’t take questions, denying reporters the chance to ask whether he was done with politics for good, or if he would consider a run against Obama.

But he delivered what could serve as a platform for a center-right challenge to Obama from within his party amid political gridlock and rising deficits.

“For some time, I’ve had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should,” Bayh said.

“There is much too much partisanship and not enough progress; too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous national challenge, the people’s business is not getting done.”

Bayh’s stunning announcement immediately touched off speculation about whether he harbored White House dreams, despite his telling Fox News Channel’s Neil Cavuto that he wasn’t running for president.

Bayh’s decision was likely “one of the smartest moves of 2010” for a presidential hopeful, said Democratic campaign strategist Joe Trippi.

“It’s going to be a lot easier running for president in the future because he walked away from Washington.”

“My general impression of him is that he’s wanted to be a presidential candidate for a long time,” said ex-Indiana Rep. Chris Chocola, who now heads the conservative Club for Growth. Democratic consultant Dan Gerstein said he doesn’t believe Bayh will challenge Obama, but said the Hoosier lawmaker would be a strong candidate if he did.

“Someone with his profile would likely be a credible challenger,” Gerstein said.

“He is from a key region, can raise the money, can claim the independence mantle.”

Bayh’s announcement gives Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in the fall.

Additional reporting by S.A. Miller and Maggie Haberman

geoff.earle@nypost.com