Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana slams the Chinese, and defends the United States in a speech:

Sen. Evan Bayh slammed China for manipulating its currency to help cheapen its exports. He defended the United States for refusing to sign an international agreement to reduce greenhouse emissions. He urged American leaders to crack down on countries that are violating intellectual property rights.

What the Indiana Democrat wouldn't say at a Rotary Club of San Jose meeting Wednesday is whether he's running for president.

``I am thinking about it,'' he said. ``I haven't finally decided.''

Bayh, a two-time governor who is serving his second term in the Senate, is one of about half a dozen national leaders who are considering -- or rumored to be considering -- a run for the White House in 2008. Like most, Bayh is making the rounds of big cities and battleground states. He plans to head to Southern California today and to the key primary state of New Hampshire on Sunday.

``He's doing the practical things he needs to keep his options open,'' said Dan Pfeiffer, Bayh's communications director.