Chris Dodd gives up

[JaJae]

His seat was up in the air. Republicans were looking forward to getting him voted out of office. He pre-empted the election and retired allowing a more popular fellow Democrat to step up in his place.

The retirement of Dodd, 65, pre-empts what Republican foes had seen as a winnable battle for his Senate seat in November, when the opposition party aims to reduce the crucial 60-vote majority.

Democratic sources told political news outlet Politico that Dodd's announcement would allow Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to run in his place, giving the Democratic Party what they described as a stronger nominee in a race regarded by many as a toss-up.

Obama ally Dodd 'will not seek Senate re-election' - Yahoo! News

It's good to see some of these corrupt politicians get bumped out of Congress.

[The Esteemed Gentleman]

Whoa, that's big time news!

No. Dakota Dem Bryon Dorgan announced he will be retiring as well, and the Washington Times is reporting that at least 5 other Democrats are vulnerable as the year progresses as well, most notably Harry Reid and Blanche Lincoln.

Senate Democrats trail in Connecticut (Dodd), Nevada (Reid), Ohio, Arkansas (Lincoln), Pennsylvania (Specter), North Dakota (Dorgan) and Colorado.

Additionally, apparently New York is even in play between a potential match up between Gillibrand and Pataki.

It's going to be an interesting November.

[Swift]

If healthcare and other policies are so important to the American people, why would Dodd and other's see the need to retire if they support said policies?

[JaJae]

Another Democrat is retiring in the wake of the Massachusetts loss....

Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow morning, according to three sources briefed on the decision.

The Fix - Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry to retire

This is the sixth Democrat to announce they are not going to run or will retire in just the past two months... They're dropping at a rate of almost one Democrat a week. This doesn't count moderate Democrats like Harold Ford Jr. who are contesting current Democrat controlled seats.

[motivez]

How many people usually retire each cycle? Is this a big enough jump to make it "news" over the normal number?

Dodd is a big name so it's news, but I dunno about Congress..