Sen. Evan Bayh (D) stopped at the Clark Co. Airport 10/8 to stump with Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-08). Bayh conceded the race is "competitive" and "maybe a little uphill" for Ellsworth. He added, "but the situation is fluid and people are just starting to focus" on it."

In response to a question, Bayh "also acknowledged" that the nat'l Dems have not put a lot of resources behind Ellsworth's campaign. Bayh: "The national party is being forced to spread their resources among a lot of states, including some that are very expensive, which means that they don't have as much to go around for places like Indiana." He "noted, however, that he has tapped into the large warchest that he retained after deciding not to seek re-election to help Ellsworth" and other Dems.

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Bayh said the SEN race "can still be won," pointing to the example of DE SEN nominee Christine O'Donnell (R). Bayh: "She was 20 points behind with about 10 days to go. She ended up winning substantially." He said he thinks Ellsworth has "a decent chance to pull off an upset" (Louisville Courier-Journal, 10/8).

There's A Package For You

On ABC's "Top Line" on 10/8, Ellsworth acknowledged that the $862B stimulus package hasn't done enough to rejuvenate the economy. But he said it has worked in staving off the worst of the economic damage.

Ellsworth: "I think it was necessary. And if you dissect the stimulus: a third in tax cuts -- a third in financial support to the states to keep them afloat, and then a third in the projects and grants -- I think it did work." Ellsworth also "criticized his fellow" Dems for not voting to extend the Bush admin. tax cuts before going into recess last week (Klein, "The Note," Abcnews.com, 10/8).

De-Minty Fresh

Indiana Legislative Insight's Feigenbaum provides some tidbits from the campaign:

• Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is deploying his Senate Conservatives Fund to help "10 of the nation's top conservatives" win "important Senate seats" but is staying out of IN SEN right now.

• Don't lose sight of the impact of TV ads paid for by independent groups against Dem SEN candidates in IL and KY running in the Chicago and Louisville markets which reach a "substantial number" of Hoosiers (10/8).