Another red state Democrat is retiring reports Chris Cillizza:
North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad plans to announce his retirement today, according to two informed Democratic sources, creating a potentially prime pickup opportunity for Republicans in a GOP-leaning state.The 2012 elections were already going to be rough for Senate Democrats. In November, Markos took an early look at the 2012 Senate races. It doesn't look good for Democrats. His conclusion:
Conrad, who currently chairs the Senate Budget Committee, has been in office since 1986 and risen to become one of the most influential -- and intellectual -- policy makers operating in the nation's capital.
Conrad had been open about his ambivalence about running for another term and those doubts almost certainly increased following a 2010 election that decimated the Democratic party.
In a bad climate, 2012 will be nightmarish for Senate Dems. If things improve, it'll merely be tough.
