Bayh target of multi-media campaign

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana Senator Evan Bayh is the target of a new multi-media campaign even though he is not on the ballot till next year.

Billboards went up Monday all over the state; there are 22 of them in Indianapolis.

They refer to a bill before the Senate that would affect union elections.

The simple message on the billboards directs those who see them to a Web site called Donotletevanbayhkilljobs.com. And its not just billboards pushing the message, radio ads are too.

Radio Ad: Don't let Evan Bayh slam the door on Indiana's jobs.

The Web site tells the story of a bill that could eliminate the secret ballot in union elections.

David Bego of Executive Management Services said his employees rejected a union in a recent election.

“Where they were pressured, bribed and coerced,” said Bego

He's one of the people behind the billboards. He's concerned because Bayh sponsored an earlier version of the legislation.

Bego said, “Why would we want to eliminate something that's totally American, the secret ballot election. That's how we elect our politicians and, quite honestly, that’s how our committees in Congress are elected, too.”

But, state Democratic Chairman Dan Parker said the secret ballot ban is no longer in the bill.

“It's somewhat ridiculous, a little ill-timed given that the Senator is one of a group of centrists working for a compromise between Democrats and Republicans,” said Indiana Democratic Chairman Dan Parker.

But, with Democrats in control and Bayh seeking to preserve a middle of the road profile, he is now a swing vote on Capitol Hill and the billboards help point that out.

The people who bought the billboards said they are not political.

But, Democrats think they see a hidden message on them. One designed to recruit a Republican to challenge Evan Bayh next year.