Bowing Out, One by One

The incumbent Democrats in the Senate seeking re-election in 2012 are dwindling by the day. Today, New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman has decided against seeking re-election, joining Democrats Kent Conrad (ND), Jim Webb (VA) and Democrat Independent Joe Lieberman (CT). On the other side of the aisle, Republicans John Kyl (AZ) and Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX) are also deciding to retire.

In 2012, Republicans need four seats to take the majority in the Senate, and of the four open seats being vacated by Democrats, Virginia and North Dakota heavily lean Republican, New Mexico is a toss-up and unless Tom Foley, who lost an extremely close gubernatorial race in 2010, runs, Connecticut leans Democrat.

In the seats being vacated by Republicans, both states lean Republican, yet, as a friend of mine states (and I agree with it), there is, assuming a full recovery, the "Gabrielle Giffords" question.

In one month, prospects for Republicans have improved. Between events this week and the possibility of Jeb Bush running, the Democrat incumbents in Wisconsin and Florida could very well drop out. Ohio, West Virginia and Missouri will also be states where the Republicans have the potential to gain a seat. Yes, it's early, but the recent bow outs are a hopeful sign the Republicans could regain the majority in the Senate, come 2013.