Bayh may announce exploratory committee

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh plans to file papers with the Federal Election Commission next week to set up an exploratory committee for the 2008 presidential race.

A source close to the Indiana Democrat told the Indianapolis Star that the long-expected announcement is imminent. Bayh is scheduled to appear Sunday on ABC's "This Week With George Stephanopolous."

Dan Pfeiffer, a spokesman for Bayh's political action committee, would not confirm the source.

"He'll have more to say about this Sunday," Pfeiffer told the Star.

Bayh in the past two years has traveled to New Hampshire five times and Iowa 12, making the ritual trips of likely candidates to the two early primary and caucus states. He is scheduled to be back in Iowa on Monday.

The Democratic field is expected to be a crowded one, although Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is the only official candidate for now.