From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Evan Bayh wasted no time Thursday expressing high praise for Mark Warner, following the former Virginia Democratic governor's decision to forgo a run for president.

"Governor Warner is an exceptional public servant, a great leader, and an influential voice in the Democratic Party," said Bayh, an Indiana Democrat who is also considering a run for the White House. "I know how tough a decision that this must have been. Mark Warner has much to contribute to the national debate and I look forward to working with him to make our future everything it can be."

Warner's exit provides an opening for Bayh, who would have had to compete with the former Virginia governor for the centrist Democratic vote. But a Democratic strategist suggests that the biggest winner of the day is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, followed a close second by former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina.

"This is a great day for Hillary," said the strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "He was the most obvious 'Hillary slayer' in the race."