Analyses and Speculation

Lots of reading material for you this morning:

CQPolitics.com offers a close-up look (in three parts) at the Democratic takeover of Congress in 2006.

80 is apparently the new 50, as this New York Times snapshot notes that several of the Senators on retirement-watch in 2008 are expected to run for re-election, including Stevens of Alaska (83 years old), Lautenberg of New Jersey (82 years old - though I expect he'll announce his re-retirement in the spring), Warner of Virginia (79 years old - see below for more), and Domenici of New Mexico (74 years old).

Virginia: Speaking of Republican John Warner, he gives his strongest hints yet that he's leaning toward running for re-election. Meanwhile, recently-deposed George Allen is giving an address this weekend to a major VA-GOP gathering. If Warner does retire, Allen will probably be the VA-GOP's top choice, despite Allen's many, many, many self-inflicted political wounds and Allen's own reputed distaste for the job of Senator.

New Mexico: Jonathan Singer at MyDD offers a quick breakdown of the New Mexico 2008 Senate race.