Even more important than absolute numbers is the chance for a change of parties. For example in Connecticut Dodd would probably have lost to a Republican but Blumenthal should win handily keeping the Democratic seat.
If you go through the retirements one by one it seems that the Democrats may lose a few more seats than the Republicans hence the widespread news coverage.
BTW, Bayh did his fellow Democrats a major service by announcing only 24 hours before the deadline allowing the party bosses ala Chicago to pick his replacement while the Republicans didn’t have their best candidate signed up. Much more likely to keep the seat.
fennec
Even more important than absolute numbers is the chance for a change of parties. For example in Connecticut Dodd would probably have lost to a Republican but Blumenthal should win handily keeping the Democratic seat.
If you go through the retirements one by one it seems that the Democrats may lose a few more seats than the Republicans hence the widespread news coverage.
BTW, Bayh did his fellow Democrats a major service by announcing only 24 hours before the deadline allowing the party bosses ala Chicago to pick his replacement while the Republicans didn’t have their best candidate signed up. Much more likely to keep the seat.