blogs.washingtonpost.com/thefi...h.html

Who said good policy doesn't -- sometimes -- make for good politics?

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), who is "considering" (wink, wink) a presidential bid in 2008, got a very nice boost Monday when a group of Iowa state legislators introduced an education plan based on the www.in.gov/ssaci/progra...st/index.html program Bayh shepherded to passage during his tenure as Indiana governor.

Introduced by state Rep. Jeff Danielson (D), the plan would ask 7th and 8th grade students either living below the poverty line or in foster homes to sign a pledge vowing to remain crime, drug and tobacco free, and maintain a "C" average throughout high school.

In return, the students would be given free college tuition at any Iowa state university or community college. The legislation's future is unclear. Republicans control the state House 51 to 49 while the state Senate is split evenly between the parties.

Currently in her 3rd term representing a Democratic seat based in northwestern Des Moines, Petersen said she got the idea for the program after reading up on Bayh following his visit to the Hawkeye State over the summer.