Indiana Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh has decided against a run for governor in 2012, robbing Democrats of their top recruit in the Hoosier State.

"After careful consideration, I have concluded that the appropriate decision is not to be a candidate for governor of Indiana in 2012," Bayh said in a statement released to the Fix. ""The principle reason for my decision is the welfare of my twin sons."

Bayh's decision leaves the Democratic field wide open. Reps. Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill, both of whom lost races this fall, are likely to consider the Bayh-less contest. Others mentioned include Rep. Joe Donnelly, Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel and former state House Speaker John Gregg.

The Republican field remains uncertain. Some believe that Rep. Mike Pence will be the GOP candidate although the House member seems to be far more interested in a run for president in 2012. If Pence doesn't run, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is a likely candidate.

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Pence should run

Over the past 24 hours, we’ve spoken with a number of in-the-know individuals who have all but confirmed that the Reid BillTM is all but dead.

Chances of online poker regulation getting pushed through the lame duck is basically a two-outer on the river now. Even the most optimistic estimate we’ve heard was only “around 20%.”

Not good. Although to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas, “So you’re saying there IS a chance?!”

Some believe next Tuesday is truly the line-in-the-sand day, and that it can still be attached to the tax bill in some form. Others believe that recent public messaging from Senator Reid and the AGA (welcome to the party!) shows there’s movement in the right direction and that it’s still a top agenda item during the last week of the lame duck.

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I think the greed of Harrah's and MGM drove the argument and any chance of passage as an attachment.

About one out on the river chance of passage.

Mark Levin said tonight on his show that when Sarah Palin was asked by Barbara Walters what she reads, among the others she mentioned was that she reads Liberty and Tyranny, Mark Levin’s book. According to Mark, they edited that out:

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Lamestream media

The Senate poker legislation was written with help from major gambling and casino interests, who played a significant role in funding Reid's expensive reelection campaign, according to lobbyists and legislative aides. Reid has collected more than $1.6 million in contributions from gaming companies and their employees over the past two decades, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Two major Las Vegas casino companies, Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, also gave a combined $375,000 to an outside Democratic group, Patriot Majority, that ran election ads in favor of Reid this fall, records show.

Reid and his supporters say the bill is a common-sense and limited solution to the problem of unregulated online poker, which is played by an estimated 10 million Americans.

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I doubt this legislation will be able to be attached to ANY existing bill without a GOP demand for it to be removed or a filibuster.

Hence, like the DREAM Act = dead