Left to right, we have Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (veteran/unpopular politician, Friend of Angelo); Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (let's assume he's "outdoorsy") and North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan (the third guy).

They're all Democrats. And they've all come to the same conclusion…

With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor – all Democrats – ditched plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.

Taken together, the decisions by Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota as well as Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter caused another bout of heartburn for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge.

As 2009 ended, Democrats watched a string of their House members announce retirements and one congressman defect to the GOP.

Now, with Dodd, Dorgan and Ritter out, Republicans have even more to crow about, if not better opportunities to pick up Democratic-held seats.

Trouble? Heartburn? Sour? This is so typical of media spin. Look, these guys aren't "ditching" anything. They're just passing the ball! They know exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.