United Liberty

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) is meeting with the National Republican Senatorial Committee to discuss a potential run against Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN):

GOPers have failed to recruit a top-tier challenger against the popular 2-term incumbent, thanks largely to Bayh’s bankroll. He had $12.7M in the bank as of Sept. 30, and GOPers expect he would be able to raise many more millions before Election Day.

But Pence has a base, especially as the number 3 GOPer in the House, and top Senate strategists believe he would be able to raise the money to compete with Bayh. He also has the national ambition, and Senate strategists plan to point out those ambitions are difficult to achieve without a Senate seat.

Yet Pence’s team is acutely aware of the financial challenge such a race would pose, and he had just $462K CoH at the end of the 3rd quarter. Pence’s decision will rest heavily on whether the NRSC would make a financial commitment to help make up the early difference, a source close to Pence said. The source also said Pence is unlikely to turn down the offer soon, indicating he is taking the notion seriously.

If you were paying attention to the news after the results of the special election in Massachusetts, you may recall that Sen. Bayh was one of the first out of the gate calling the outcome a “wake up call” and criticized the “furthest left elements in the Democratic Party” for “attempting to impose their will on the rest of the country.”

Bayh was re-elected in 2004 with over 61% of the vote. Indiana, a traditionally red state, went for Obama in 2008 by about 28,000 votes. It was the first time the state went for a Democrat since 1964.