Monday, Indiana Democrat Senator Evan Bayh dropped a bombshell on the political world and announced he would not run for re-election this fall - just one day before the deadline to file in that state.
Given that Bayh was a two term incumbent and had about thriteen million dollars in his campaign account, he was the strongest bet the Democrats had to hold the seat this fall. In fact, in spite of his advantages, the seat was rated as only "slightly" leaning in the Democrats direction, (due in part to the fact that Indiana is generally more of a Republican state). That's changed now. Within hours of Bayh's announcement, pundits have switched the contest to "slightly Republican" odds.
Also, from a pro-life standpoint, it increases the odds of another pick-up in the Senate, given that Bayh was pro-abortion, (and both of the leading GOP contenders are solidly pro-life).
Here's a roundup from the pundit class...
Susan Ferrechio: With Bayh's retirement, there are now eight Senate seats currently held by Democrats that Republicans may grab this fall. Seats in Nevada, Colorado, North Dakota, Illinois, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Delaware were already looking vulnerable. Bayh's decision follows the retirements of Sens. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.