My father, Birch Bayh, represented Indiana in the Senate from 1963 to 1981. A progressive, he nonetheless enjoyed many friendships with moderate Republicans and Southern Democrats.

Now the Democrats control the Senate. But the good news is that now the Republicans can admit that Strom Thurmond has been dead since 1988.

His challenge is not going to be Democrats in Washington, it is going to be Republicans.

The only way Democrats can govern in this country is by making common cause with moderates and independents.

Sometimes, when I come back to Washington from Indiana, I feel like an ambassador to a foreign country.

Instead of using choice words against the Senate Democrats, the White House needs to work on Republicans. Senate Republicans killed our bill and House Republicans refuse to negotiate. There's not much we can do under these conditions.