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.