Bayh Takes DNC Stage, Touts Obama's Leadership

DENVER -- Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh may not have gotten the vice-presidential nomination, but he got his turn in the spotlight at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Wednesday night.

Bayh was in contention for the running mate spot until the very end, when Senate colleague Joe Biden of Delaware emerged as Sen. Barack Obama's choice.

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Bayh Praises Obama In DNC Speech
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Still, Bayh praised Obama's fiscal goals during his primetime speech Wednesday.

"The time for change has come, and Barack Obama is the change we need," Bayh said. "[He] offers specific ideas to help our struggling middle-class families meet the challenges they face each and every day."

Bayh criticized President George W. Bush's handling of U.S. and foreign affairs, and he followed the Democratic playbook by saying Republican Sen. John McCain would just continue those policies.

"George Bush took the largest surplus in our nation's history and turned it into the largest deficit, borrowing billions from China, Japan, even Mexico. John McCain would continue this dangerous fiscal irresponsibility and that is not the change we need," he told the crowd.

Bayh originally supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries and was selected as part of the effort to unify the party behind Obama.