2010 Senate retirements.

[Kevin]

I have a feeling there will be a least some retirements in 2010 on both sides. Also even though Senators like Dodd and Specter say that they are running again I have a good feeling they won't.

Here is my list of possible retirements in 2010

Republican
George Voinovich(R-OH)
Arlen Specter(R-PA)
Chuck Grassley(R-IA)
Bob Benett(R-UT)
Kit Bond(R-MO)
John McCain(R-AZ)

Democrats
Chris Dodd(D-CT)
Pat Leahy(D-VT)
Barbara Mikulski(D-MD)
Barbara Boxer(D-CA)

Any thoughts on this?

[Kevin]

1) Sam Brownback has already stated that he will retire (I applaud him for keeping his term limits pledge).

2) Barbara Mikulski is expected by everyone to retire.

3) Barbara Boxer has already said she will run again.

4) Chris Dodd will almost definitely run again.

Boxer starting to get up there in age and I heard a rumor of her retiring and with Dodd I think he will retire I just have a feeling he is not going to run in 2010.   

[Kevin]

Dodd won't run again. He already announced that he will retire in 2010.

 I'm almost positive Rep Rosa DeLauro will take that seat.

There is plenty of Republicans statewide that woould be strong contenders for the seat too, Chris Shays, Jodi Rell, I could name many who could.   

[Kevin]

With Maryland I heard former Governor Bob Ehrlich may seek Mukulki's seat. If she does retire.

[Kevin]

Any chance Michael Steele challenges Barbara Mikulski or her seat whether or not she retires?

When that list comes around again for 2016, hopefully we can add Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) due to self-imposed term-limits.  Really, I hope we don't have to wait that long to get him out of the Senate.  I hope he gets ousted in 2010.

Steele could his chances would be better this time around since I think that 2010 will be a Republican year, Especially if the Democrats do pick up the White House in 2008.

[Kevin]

If Mikulski does retire in 2010, I sincerely hope the Democrats nominate an African-American for the Senate - either Kweisi Mfume or Anthony Brown.

I heard Chris Van Hollen wants this seat.

[Kevin]

With Maryland I heard former Governor Bob Ehrlich may seek Mukulki's seat. If she does retire.

Sarbanes Jr., Lt. Gov Brown, Van Hollen - hell, just about any Democrat would crush Ehrlich in a Senate race.

He stands a chance if it's a really bad year for the Democrats.

[Kevin]

1) Chriss Dodd will most likely run again and win vs token opposition.
2) Should for whatever reason he not run Richard Blumenthal is the new Senator from Connecticut.  Rell or Shays wouldn't even make it that close.

It seems like Blumenthal from what I've been hearing really has his eyes set on the Governor's Mansion, Not a Senate seat in Washington.