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THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR WWW.INDYSTAR.COM From Pago One TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2004 A7 ayh by Bayh responded: "Whatever I do publicly will also have to be consistent with being a good father and being a good husband." Andrew said Bayh is far from deciding about running, and he still has plenty of time to do so. Others disagree. "I think he needs to start fairly soon, and I think he needs to come South," Harpootlian said. But in New Hampshire, which traditionally has the first presidential primary and whose delegation Bayh visited during this year's Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan said the party hasn't sent invitations for its 2005 fund-raiser, an event that presidential hopefuls will want to attend. "I think it's a little early," Sullivan said, "for all of us to be talking about presidential candidates." Contact Star Washington Bureau reporter Maureen Groppe at (202) 906-8118 or at mgroppegns.gannett.com record to bolster his national security credentials.

But that's an area he has tried to build on in the Senate. He serves on the Armed Services and Intelligence committees, was one of the first Democrats to back Bush's request to use force against Iraq without restrictions, and has been a strong supporter of a national missile defense system. Bayh also has been part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushing for a massive overhaul of the nation's intelligence network, as recommended by the independent 911 commission. Family situation When Bayh announced in 2001 that he would not run for president this year, he cited his twin boys as the main reason. Bayh said a presidential run would require him to spend too much time away from his then-five-year-old sons.

Asked if family considerations will again be the deciding factor, nomination, and that could be tricky for someone trying to steer to the middle. He received low ratings from abortion-rights groups while being considered as a potential Gore running mate. Bayh is particularly criticized for supporting a ban on a procedure that opponents call partial-birth abortion, with no exception for the life and health of the woman. Bayh voted with Democrats this year to block a vote on amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage. While Bayh said he opposes same-sex marriage, he has refused to say whether the Constitution should be amended.

Bayh also could face future Senate votes that might put him in conflict with the Democratic Party, such as on any Bush nominations to the Supreme Court. But Joe Andrew, former national and state Democratic party leader, said traditional litmus test issues won't be as important to Democrats during the presidential primaries as will picking a candidate they think can win nationwide. "Bayh trumps virtually any other presidential candidate on the simple test of electability," Andrew said. Fund-raising prowess Bayh has shown he can raise money. He had more than $7 million in campaign funds as of Oct.

13, the third-most of any senator. He also has raised $15 million during six years through a separate political fund that he uses to contribute to other Democratic candidates and to pay for travel. Bayh has received the most support from individuals employed by the financial, insurance and real estate industries, which contributed $1.6 million to his reelection fund, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Bayh's past chairmanship of the Democratic Governors' Association as well as his role as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, which is more business-friendly than many traditional Democratic groups, have helped him build a fund-raising network across the country. National security Bayh does not have a military chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Merle Black, a presidential scholar at Emory University in Atlanta, agrees. "He needs to make himself a lot better-known," Black said. "He's certainly not a household word. At this stage, he would need to sell himself to prominent, influential Democrats in other parts of the country who can be his advocate." Bayh gets points from political activists and observers for being telegenic and a smooth speaker. But he hasn't shown that he can excite a crowd, some say.

Bayh's keynote address at the 1996 Democratic National Convention was viewed by many conventioneers as a good time to hit refreshment stands. Contrast that to Barack Obama's keynote speech this year, which made the newly elected Illinois senator an instant celebrity and even sparked talk of an Obama presidential bid in '08. "There is a missing pizzazz element to him," Todd said of Bayh. "He's so careful and so wholesome that there's a missing glitz factor. That may be simply because he has not tried to be a national candidate.

Maybe once he goes and starts testing the water, that will change." Running from the Senate Bayh who spent eight years as governor in Indiana would have to test the waters from the Senate, which has not been a successful springboard to the presidency since John F. Kennedy's victory in 1960. Four of the past five presidents ran as governors. Governors can set the agenda in their states while senators cast one of 100 votes on an issue. Bush and other Republicans criticized Kerry for not having a longer list of accomplishments from his 20 years in the Senate.

"As an executive, you have a definitive record of accomplishment to point to," Fischer said. "You can say you've created this program or funded that program." Democratic governors named as possible 2008 prospects include Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a former Cabinet secretary who is Hispanic; Tom Vilsack of Iowa, who was also on Kerry's short list of running mates; and CENTRAL INDIANA 2nd Anniversary of Speedway Murders It's been two years and the Speedway Police Department and Crime Stoppers are still hoping for information that leads to an Mark Warner of Virginia, who also appeals as a centrist. Govs. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois and Janet Napolitano of Arizona also have been mentioned. To win the presidency, Bayh first would have to win his party's Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-317-262-T1PS or at 1-800-92-ALERT if you have any information that may assist authorities hi solving this crime.

Callers wid remain anonymous and win be known only by a code number and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000. For additional photos and Information log on to www.crimetips.org Senator has several factors in his favor for presidency. From A1 attributes for a White House bid, especially a political resume and style that exude moderation. Yet Bayh's shortcomings, including a cautious personality that lacks star power, could be a challenge if he tries to compete on a national stage. "Of all the people who have not run for president before, he's the leading new candidate," said Chuck Todd, editor in chief of The Hotline, an online political newsletter.

"The only thing missing from him on paper from being the perfect candidate would be actually being Latino." The key reason Bayh is being touted is the divide between Democratic or "blue" states along the coasts and parts of the Midwest and the Republican or "red" states everywhere else. While President Bush racked up large margins in the red South and West and made inroads in the blue Midwest, Bayh was easily reelected in a red state, raking in 62 percent of the vote. That's a higher tally than Bush's 60 percent in Indiana. Bayh did not have a strong opponent this year and was not targeted by the Republican Party, but many Democrats are worried their party is not connecting with crossover voters as Bayh has demonstrated he can in part because it's seen as being on the wrong side of a cultural divide. "We've got to look at folks that can speak to rural voters and Southern voters in particular, and Senator Bayh has a proven track record of being able to do that," said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Fischer.

"You're not going to succeed in a state like Indiana without winning some Republican votes, some rural votes. Even southern Indiana has a tinge of Southern politics to it." Polls and many political experts place New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as the early front-runner for the 2008 Democratic nomination. But many Democrats are fearful that picking someone tagged as a liberal and from the heavily blue Northeast will guarantee failure and a rerun of the 2000 and 2004 electoral maps. Bayh said it's too early for him to talk about whether he will run or whether he has the resume the Democrats need.

"I do think that whatever's right for the Democratic Party and right for the American people will be found in the center, both geographically and ideologically," Bayh said. "National security, economic growth, making government accountable and fiscal discipline, and then showing we're in Holiday Some shoppers pleased by expanded shopping season. From A1 tailers are sensitive to not ramming it down customers' throats. The last thing a retailer to do is alienate their customers." Greenwood resident Barbara Johnson is among those who like the early display of holiday wares. "I like to see what's available," she said while shopping last week at Greenwood Park Mall Not everyone is pleased.

"It bothers me because it jumps from Halloween to Christmas. They bypass Thanksgiving," said Arthurine Watson, who was shopping Monday at Lafayette Square Mall. Southport resident Russ Plummer, who walks for exercise in the Greenwood mall, said the Christmas music that plays there puts him in a good mood. "I think they're rushing it, but if it stimulates business, more power to them," he said. "It's good to see people buy." JTie National Retail Federation expects holiday spending to increase 4i percent this year, compared with the same period a year ago, bringing holiday spending to $219.9 billion, or an average of $702 per shopper.

Retailers aren't the only businesses seeing a financial advantage to starting the holiday sea Beavers convert Associated Press GREENSBURG, La. These eager beavers had a whole new slant on money laundering. A bag of bills stolen from a casino was snapped up by beavers that wove thousands of dollars in soggy currency into the sticks and brush of their dam on a creek in eastern Louisiana. The money was part of $70,000 to $75,000 taken last week from the Lucky Dollar Casino in arrest in the murders of an elderly Speedway couple. Sergeant Chuck Upchurch of the Speedway Police Department said the bodies of Joseph and Dorothy Krieger were found inside their home at 5613 Maplewood Drive on October 6, 2002.

Upchurch declined to say how the couple had been killed but that it is clearly murder. The killings occurred sometime between 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 6th. Whoever killed the couple took two rifles and a shotgun belonging to Mr.

Krieger, and then left In the couple's beige 1991 Dodge Spirit. It is believed they left a white Nike hat at the scene. On Monday, October 7th at 9:00 a.m. the Krieger's car was located by the Grant County Sheriff's Department behind the First Christian Church at 1970 Wabash Road in Marion, Indiana. Investigators believe the car may be the key to solving the slayings.

Authorities hope someone saw the car being driven from Indianapolis to Marion and will call with their information. I 1 i Jl Mtchad Conroy Associated Press Sen. Evan Bayh Age: 48 Residence: Indianapolis Party: Democratic Salary: $158,000 annually Education: Bachelor's degree, Indiana University; law degree, University of Virginia Personal: Married, sons Birch Evans IV (Beau) (above) and Nicholas Political experience: Indiana secretary of state, 1986-89; Indiana governor, 1989-97; U.S. senator since 1999 -Source: Star Library research What's your take? Should Sen. Evan Bayh run for president in 2008? Go to to share your thoughts.

Want to know more about Bayh? Go to hdyStar.comfact-ffles for more background. tune with middle American values I think that's the right approach. Who embodies that best? We'll have to let the voters decide." The following are some of the factors that could affect Bayh's viability and decision to run: Moderate, but unknown Both as governor and senator, Bayh has cultivated an image as a moderate. He is chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, the moderate group that boosted the career of former President Bill Clintoa He also is part of a new group, called Third Way, which will push centrist legislation. In his first Senate term, Bayh broke with his party more often than the average Democrat, siding with Republicans most often on business, budget and taxes, and on national security issues.

But there still is no big issue that Bayh is known for nationally, in the same way that Arizona Sen. John McCain a Republican who might run in 2008 championed campaign finance reform so that the issue now is synonymous with him. "If I were (Bayh), I'd pick out a couple issues in the Senate that matter to him and become a national spokesmen on them," said Richard Harpootlian, a Democratic activist and former son a bit early. Indianapolis radio station WGLD-FM 0045) suspended its oldies format Friday to begin playing all Christmas music David Wood, the station's director of programming, said surveys of listeners locally and nationally show such a change is popular. "The season does seem to be starting earlier as years go on," Wood said.

Bringing Santa out on the first Friday of November is intended to shorten the lines of children that form later, according to Che-rie Watkins, manager of the set at Greenwood Park Mali Retailers have learned that sales between Nov. 1 and the Friday after Thanksgiving can be as important as post-Thanksgiving dates, according to Patrice Duk-er of the International Council of Shopping Centers. Early display of winter wear such as sweaters, hats and gloves allows for a longer shelf life, she added. The only way to accurately assess holiday sales is to combine figures from November and December, retailers say. From 25 percent to 40 percent of annual sales can come in those two months.

For traditionalists who want to wait until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating the winter holidays, one thing hasn't changed. The holiday lighting ceremony on Monument Circle won't occur until Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving. Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. cash into dam Greensburg.

St. Helena Parish deputies searched for the money for days until a lawyer, hoping to make a deal with prosecutors for a client, called and said the money had been discarded in the creek, Police Chief Ronald Harrell said. Altogether, deputies found about $40,000, and they expect to find the rest in a safety deposit box at a bank in Mississippi, authorities said. VIP Mlfl fllTDAY S(rMW3) Li a Mla. HMwrsmMi-' Km- MiKiMi-tri Vi- iiii.i iniiiH-il ai.