2010 Retirements so far

Yes, the house has had a couple retirements, but the U.S. Senate is going to have two fewer 3-term democrats in the Senate chamber. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Chris Dodd of Connecticut have announced their retirements. How does this look for 2010 and what does this mean for those two races. In North Dakota Governor John Hoeven is being wooed by the NRSC to run. If that happens Hoeven is a lock to make the seat Republican in November. In Connecticut the retirement of Chris Dodd may actually be a good thing for the democratic party. Richard Blumenthal is the sitting AG and is eyeing Dodds seat. If Blumenthal jumps in it will be tough for the Republicans to pick this seat up. Whoever wins the Republican primary will have an uphill climb. There will be no anti-incumbent fervor in the race for the republican party to pounce on. With these retirements the republicans will have one pickup for the 2010 cycle there will be others but its to early to call those.