Republicans in Hiding

The Republicans insist they will be back in power soon. I won't hold my breath. For the 2010 election, several Republican Senators are picking up their marbles and going home, making the slate another uphill climb for the RSCC.

Here's a list of the 2010 races.

• Alabama: Richard Shelby will be reelected unless he decides to retire - GOP Hold
• Alaska: Lisa Murkowski should also be reelected, unless Spunky goes after her, either way it's a GOP Hold
• Arizona: John McCain could have been beaten by Janet Napolitano, but she's gone to Washington, so he'll be back, unless his health problems change his mind for him - GOP Hold
• Arkansas: Blanche Lincoln will be back easily - DEM Hold
• California: Barbara Boxer may have to fend off Ahnuld, but she's safe - DEM Hold
• Colorado: Special election to replace Ken Salazar. His successor, Michael Bennet, will have to show some results to keep the seat, or not, as Colorado is trending blue. DEM Hold
• Connecticut: Chris Dodd is not inclined to leave the Senate, even if faced with a challenge from Republican Governor Jodi Rell - DEM Hold
• Delaware: This is Joe Biden's seat, which went to former Biden Chief of Staff, Ted Kaufman. Kaufman has announced that he will not run in 2010 and it is expected that Biden's son Beau will run. If he does, he'll win easily - DEM Hold
• Florida: With Republican Mel Martinez retiring, this seat is ripe for flipping. Jebby is contemplating a run, but if the Democrats can find a top-tier candidate, it won't matter - Toss-up / DEM Pickup
• Georgia: Johnny Isakson keeps under the radar and should easily be reelected in this conservative state - GOP Hold
• Hawaii: Daniel Inouye will be 86 in 2010 but is expected to run. He is likely to face a stiff challenge from Governor Linda Lingle, which will make this a marquee race. Inouye should have the edge, though - DEM Hold
• Idaho: Mike Crapo is expected to run, but has had some health problems. Even if he retires, the GOP has this seat locked up - GOP Hold
• Iowa: Chuck Grassley is a mean old man, but he's not going anywhere - GOP Hold
• Illinois: Blago appointee Burris has not said if he intends to run on his own. He has never won an election despite several attempts. If he runs, he will likely face a primary challenge making it harder to hold the seat, possibly. Toss-up / DEM Hold
• Indiana: Evan Bayh will return to the Senate for a third term - DEM Hold
• Kansas: Sam Brownback is retiring from the Senate, likely to run for Governor. The current Governor, Kathleen Sebelius may run for the Senate. If she doesn't run, another Democrat would have a tough time flipping this seat, for now - Toss-up
• Kentucky: Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning may not run again, if he doesn't there is a good chance the right Democrat can pick off this seat, also - Toss-up
• Louisiana: David Vitter has had some troubles of late, perhaps you remember? No, don't worry, his opponent will bring it up . . . a lot. Toss-up to DEM Favored
• Maryland: Barbara Mikulski is not interested in leaving the Senate and based on her recent contests, no one is going to make her - DEM Hold
• Missouri: Kit Bond has opted to call it a career in the Senate. Russ Carnahan (D), the Secretary of State and son of Senators Mel and Jeanne is in the race. All bets are off - Toss-up, but more likely DEM favored.
  
• Nevada: I'm not a fan of Harry Reid, but he's not going anywhere - DEM Hold
• New Hampshire: In a state that is turning more blue by the day, Judd Gregg stepped into the political poo and has now decided not to run in 2010. This seat should flip - DEM Pickup
• New York: Both Senator Schumer and Hillary Clinton's replacement, Kristen Gillibrand, will be up for reelection. Both should win easily - DEM Holds
• North Carolina: You think Richard Burr is worried? He should be. Elizabeth Dole got beat by Kay Hagan. Somebody's coming for him, too. DEM Favored
• North Dakota: The red state keeps electing Democratic Senators. That shouldn't change and Byron Dorgan should return - DEM Hold
• Ohio: George Voinovich is not very popular in the Buckeye state. He's packing it in making the race a definite Toss-up
• Oklahoma - Would there were a good Democrat to run against Tom Coburn. But there's not, so he will be back. REP Hold.
• Oregon - Ron Wyden is a quiet Senator and sure to win reelection. DEM Hold
• Pennsylvania - Arlen Specter should retire, but he says he's still in it to win. This will be a marquee race - Toss-up.
• South Carolina - In this state, Democrats are hard to come by. Jim DeMint should cruise to reelection - REP Hold
• South Dakota - John Thune has been running around the Senate with a big target on his back ever since he unseated Tom Daschle. Can the Democrats hit the bullseye this time? Toss-up to REP favored.
• Utah - Robert Bennett is the other Senator from Utah (after the singing Orrin Hatch). A conservative conservative, he won't lose here. REP Hold
• Vermont - Patrick Leahy is entrenched in the Senate. He can stay as long as he likes. DEM Hold.
• Washington - Patty Murray, the Senator Mom in tennis shoes, has slowly risen through the ranks of the Democratic leadership. She should be easily reelected - DEM hold.
• Wisconsin - Russ Feingold (D) should easily be sent back to the Senate from the fine folks living in America's Dairyland. DEM Hold.

So You Want to be Governor?

In 2008 there were gubernatorial contests. Really. there will be a number of contests in 2009 and 2010 as well. It was recently noted the Republicans have pinned their comeback hopes on capturing state houses in the next set of elections. Good luck with that.

Here's a rundown.

• Alabama - Bob Riley (R) is term-limited, but another Republican is certain to come along and keep the red streak going.
• Alaska - Governor Spunky will be up for reelection in 2010. Does she stay there or can she see the Senate from her house?
  
• Arizona - The new Governor of Arizona is crazy. Right-wing Fundamentalist Republican crazy. Let's hope for a switch back to blue.
• Arkansas - Mike Beebe (D) is doing just fine in a Southern state that likes to elect Democrats.
  
• California - The Guvahnator is term-limited. Expect a Democrat in Sacramento, possibly Senator Diane Feinstein.
• Colorado - Bill Ritter is happy in the Governor's mansion in the Mile High state.
  
• Connecticut - sure there's some issues there. But Jodi Rell (R) is not going anywhere.
• Florida - Charlie Crist (R) got passed over for VP, is he thinking Senate or another term in Tallahassee?
  
• Georgia - Sonny Perdue (R) is also heading for the exit, but like its neighbor, Alabama, no chance for a Democratic pickup.
  
• Hawaii - Linda Lingle (R) has been a fair to middling Governor for the Aloha state. But let's note this is our new President's home state. She can't run again and the state's going Democratic.
• Idaho - Butch Otter (one of the best named Governors around) is safe in Republican-rich Potato land.
  
• Illinois - Know who the new governor of Illinois is? His name is Pat Quinn (D) and he is doing just fine. And he surely doesn't swear as much as his predecessor.
• Iowa - Chet Culver (a close second for great name governors) is doing fine as a Democrat in a state that went purple in 2008.
  
• Kansas - Kathleen Sebelius (D), for the moment, may have missed out on a new job in the Obama Administration and she can't run again. This is a state the Republicans may be able to pick up, although scary Sam Brownback is running so anything's possible.
• Maine - John Baldacci is out. It's unclear as to who will fill the void in Augusta.
  
• Maryland - With Michael Steele having been elected chair of the RNC and former Governor Bob Ehrlich declaring he doesn't want a rematch with Martin O'Malley (D), O'Malley should cruise to a second term.
  
• Massachusetts - Deval Patrick (D) is doing a fine job in the Bay State. He's not going anywhere (except maybe Washington if his friend the President calls)
  
• Michigan - Jennifer Granholm (D) has been a popular governor in Michigan. But she can't run again and the Democratic field is slim. Tossup.
  
• Minnesota - Does Tim Pawlenty (R) want to be President? Many think he should have been the vice presidential nominee for John McCain. If he wants to stay on the national stage, he is going to need to win reelection.
• Nebraska - Dave Heineman (R) got his current job when Mike Johanns went to work for [former] President Bush. In this red state, he will cruise to reelection.
  
• Nevada - Jim Gibbons is a Republican in a state that is turning purple. This race is a tossup even before he has an opponent.
• New Hampshire - New Hampshire governors only serve two terms. For now, Jon Lynch is safe.
  
• New Jersey - Jon Corzine (D) has lots of money to burn. But his approval ratings are in the toilet in the Garden State. I think he might take his marbles and go home. A 2009 race.
  
• New Mexico - Bill Richardson had to withdraw as Commerce Secretary-designate after some wrongdoings surfaced. He is term-limited, but would have trouble winning anyway.
  
• New York - David Patterson moved into the Governor's Mansion after Eliot Spitzer had a little personal trouble. He is likely to win election in his own right.
  
• Ohio - Ted Strickland was considered for Obama's running mate. He was left behind in the Buckeye State and is likely to win reelection.
  
• Oklahoma - It's the reddest state in the country. Brad Henry (D) is out after two terms and a Democrat will likely not be selected.
• Oregon - Ted Kulongoski (D) is term limited but the state should stay blue at the state level.
  
• Pennsylvania - Ask most Pennsylvanians and they will tell you that Ed Rendell (D) bought his way to Harrisburg. That may hurt democratic chances to hold this governorship (he's also term-limited).
  
• Rhode Island - Another state that has no business having a Republican in the governor's mansion - especially when its Don Carcieri. He's done and its a Democratic pickup.
• South Carolina - Mark Sanford (R) is term-limited, but the party should keep control of the state house.
  
• South Dakota - Mike Rounds (R) is out after two terms. Another tossup.
• Tennessee - Phil Bredesen is another rare Democrat in a red state and heading for the door. This race is also a tossup.
• Texas - Rick Perry (R) has no intention of vacating the premises. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) may have something to say about that.
  
• Vermont - Jim Douglas (R) can run again for Governor, where the governors only serve two year terms. But can he win in a state turning more and more purple/blue?
  
• Virginia - In the marquee race of 2009, Tim Kaine (D) is leaving Richmond after only one term (that's all Virginia governors are allowed - it's ridiculous). I think Democrats can hold it, but it will be tough as the current Democratic candidate is Terry McAuliffe, who has all that Clinton baggage with him.
• Wisconsin - Jim Doyle (D) is likely to win a second term in America's Dairyland.
  
• Wyoming - Another Democrat in a sea of Red. Dave Freudenthal is term limited and this state should revert back to the GOP.