Tough day for the Dems, with at least four major candidates choosing to retire rather than face uncertain election chances next year: Sens. Chris Dodd (CT) and Byron Dorgan (ND), along with Gov. Bill Ritter (CO) and some poor schmo who wanted to be governor of Michigan for some reason, have all dropped out. Politico notes that "Democrats are now facing their bleakest election outlook in years-and the very real possibility the party will lose its 60-40 Senate supermajority after the November elections," although the fact is that Dodd was almost sure to lose and this will actually help the party keep the seat. Also, "bleakest election outlook in years" actually means "in four years," since winning supermajority status in 2008 was actually a high-water mark for either party in the modern era (the last time it happened was 1976). Still, that's your narrative, and you're stuck with it.
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Oh yeah? So who's the Newt Gingrich in this scenario, pray tell?
Also.
That is a good point. BUT one thing that the GOP will have less to spend on is GOTV initiatives thanks to the hyper-robust tea party infrastructure that is now in place just itching to be mobilized. Not that the cash wouldn't hurt, but without a hotbutton religious right issue to take to that base, they'll benefit from the tes partiers.
Maybe Dodd is moving back to Iowa?
Methinks the 60-vote supermajority has a "use it or lose it" clause, hence the Democrats' current electoral predicament.
No shit. They beg and beg for the supermajority, and you save up and get it for them, and five days later that dumb Lieberman kid has broken it and they're asking for another one.
Although even including today's retirees, the R's are losing more across the board than the D's. 14 vs 10 in the House, 6 vs 2 in the Senate, 4 vs 3 in governor's offices. (via the washington monthly here.)
Apologies for the gobbledygook if this site uses that wussy square-bracket stuff.
Democrats advocate gun control because of their predilection for shooting themselves in the foot.
Someone assure me that the narrative is going to bounce back 'round election time. Someone?
See my post above. The "narrative" still favors democrats – no bouncing necessary.
So they are announcing their "retirements" so that a young group of Dems are given somewhat of a fighting chance for the next election cycle? Are there any hopefuls in these areas?