Ben Nelson (D-NE) was going to retire in a year whether he wanted to or not. His decision not to run for reelection merely means that he’s bowing to the inevitable.
In order to recapture the Senate in 2012, the GOP needs a net gain of four seats; and the numbers look much better now than they did in 2010. Out of the thirty-three incumbent Senators up for reelection next year, only ten are Republicans. The Democrats have more than twice as many seats to defend, and it’s going to be tough… Something of which the rats are no doubt aware, given the way they’re starting to abandon ship in droves.
- Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), retiring.
- Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), retiring.
- Senator Kent Conrad (D-NC), retiring.
- Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), retiring.
- Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), retiring.
- Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), retiring.
- Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), retiring.
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