51 pick-up

The retirement of Colorado Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, and the decision of popular Repubican Governor Bill Owens not to run for Campbell’s seat, means that Colorado is in play as a possible Democratic pick-up this fall. The Denver Post lists the likely candidates for the seat from both parties and notes the possible trickle down effect on House races.
Our friend Joshua Sharf discusses the race in more depth. He seems to regard Democratic Attorney General Ken Salazar as a decent bet to win the seat. He argues that, in all likelihood, the Republicans don’t need this seat to retain a majority in the Senate, but that they do need it to have any hope of a “Leahy-proof” Senate (i.e., a Senate in which Republicans can consistently confirm judicial nominees). Of course, this assumes that the Republicans will still be in a position to make such nominations next year.