Replies

There are four aging Democrats who may retire in 2006. They are Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who will be 83 y/o that year, Robert Byrd of West Virginia (89), Paul Sarbanes (73), and Ted Kennedy (74). There is an outside chance that Dianne Feinstein of Califnornia (73) will also retire. The action is usually in the open seats, but they all represent Democratic states.

Feinstein is running for re-election according to her spokesman. She is afraid of Arnold. Rep. Mark Kenneddy will take on the Cowardly Lion Dayton. Stabenow is vulnerble, maybe Candace Miller. Cantwell is in big trouble if Dino Rossi gets ripped of in The Governor's race.
New Jersey is the most politically corrupt state in the nation, so even if Corzine retires it will be tough unless Whitman runs. I believe the big battle will be Ben Nelson (D-Neb)vs. Governor Johanns and Bill Nelson (D-FLA) versus Katherine Harris. The RNC owes her big time from her couragious stand in 2000. She gets a blank check against the boring Astronaut.