Bayh's moderation was not always in evidence

The announcement by Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) that he will not seek a third senate term came as a shock, and has occasioned numerous articles referring to him as a "moderate". This is true to an extent -- as governor of Indiana he earned a reputation for fiscal sanity, and he has taken pains to distance himself from his party's far left. But his famed moderation did not have a dramatic impact on his voting record -- at least not the sort of impact that all the crowing about his moderation would lead one to believe.

Here are Sen. Bayh's annual ratings from the liberal Americans for Democratic Action since he first took office:

Year / Rating

2008 70%
2007 95%
2006 85%
2005 95%
2004 90%
2003 75%
2002 70%
2001 100%
2000 80%
1999 90%

Average 1999-2008 = 85%

A moderate is someone who agrees with liberals 85% of the time, apparently.