It's Quittin' Time for Three Top Democrats

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.

Tags: Byron Dorgan, Chris Dodd, Colorado, Connecticut, Democrats, North Dakota, Senate

Byron Dorgan Blames Economic Crisis on Deregulation

North Dakota Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan returned to The Colbert Report last night and told Stephen that banking modernization could cause another Great Depression. Which sounds bad, but it would do wonders for the bindle and trashcan-fire industries.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Tags: Banks, Byron Dorgan, Economy, North Dakota, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report

U.S. Senator Funs About Make-Believe Adultery Scenario for the Purpose of Humor

And, thus, the U.S. Senate officially moves to make the "That's what she said!" joke no longer cool…

(via Alex Balk)

Tags: Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Kent Conrad, North Dakota, Senate

Fox News: Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, North Dakota and Wyoming

Fox News has called Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island and Michigan for Obama, and North Dakota and Wyoming for McCain.

They called Ohio for Obama and took it back. Get it together, guys, Rove's in the room.

What is growing on David Axelrod's upper lip?

Tags: Fox, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Swing State Seminars: North Dakota and Montana

Kurt Braunohler is back with the last batch of informatively juicy facts about swing states, in our exclusive video series, Swing State Seminars!

Check out more Swing State Seminars here!

Tags: Kurt Braunohler, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Swing State Seminars