Evan Bayh of Indiana is a beloved Democrat in a Republican state. He was first Indiana Secy. of State Bayh for two years winning by eight points. He went on to be Governor for eight years winning re-election by 25% in 1992. After being forced to retire by term limits in Indiana, he ran for Senate and won by an even wider margin and was re-elected in 2004. The National Journal has him voting more liberal than 62% of his colleagues in 2007. Bayh's greatest accomplishment was Medicare Part D legislation which he introduced in 2006. And the fact that President Obama unexpectedly won Indiana in 2008 helps too. This is a solid Democratic seat.
Sam Brownback is retiring from the Senate in 2010 to run for Governor of Kansas. Ordinarily, I would say this will remain in Republican hands, however, there is somebody else retiring in Kansas in 2010 as well. The now Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) has already be re-elected once so by Kansas law, she cannot run for a third term. In 2008, she withdrew her name from consideration for a cabinet appointment furthering speculation that she would run in 2010. She was elected in one of the reddest of red states by 7 points and re-elected by 17 points, now having a 57% approval rating. Unless she declares her self a non-candidate for Senate, this seat (there hasn't be a Democratic Senator form KS in 78 years) will remain too early to call.
Barbara Boxer is one of the safest seats in the Senate. She's been in Congress since 1983 and won re-election in 2004 by 20 points. She's a familiar face on television being one of the most regularly appearing Senators on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show and also has the benefit, of course, of being in a very, very blue state. The only notable Republican politician from California is Arnold Schwarznegger and he's a moderate. This is a solid Democratic seat.
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