Breaking News: Another Democrat Senator Decides to Retire

A month ago we were somewhat surprised when two Democrat senators, Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) decided to retire at the end of their current term rather than face the voters in November. Since then several Democrat congressmen have decided not to run for reelection signaling an understanding of how difficult an electoral environment Democrats face this year. The most notable announcement was Rep. Patrick Kennedy's last week. Now, this morning we get word that Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) is also retiring. Bayh's announcement would normally be pretty shocking. He is the son of a popular Indiana senator and considered to be well liked himself and remembered in Indiana as a successful governor. It is a sign of wide spread discontent that a senator like Bayh who would normally be a shoe in for reelection is not even bothering to run. He must be seeing some awfully poor internal polling numbers to make this decision. Bayh is not a left wing extremist like some Dems. He is fairly moderate and has been frustrated by the far left Chicago style tactics of the Obama administration. I don't think we've seen the last of Bayh. It would not be surprising to see him challenge for the Dem presidential nomination some time in the future.

This race just shifted from likely Dem retention to near certain Republican gain as former senator Dan Coats should coast to an easy victory now.