the legislation instead voted no for short-term political reasons. >> all right. there is an assertion that he was in good shape politically. a research 2000 poll shows bayh beating dan coats by 20%. he is also ahead in another potential nominee, john hostettler. the democrat called the majority leader harry reid only after the news had already leaked out. bahy's approach has not always sat well with his liberal colleagues. a adviser to the senator tells cnn " -- >> we're going to be talking to senator bayh in a few minutes about his decision. this is big news. >> it really is big news.