WASHINGTON -- At the White House Wednesday, press secretary Robert Gibbs wasn't about to play political prophet.

"Look, it is hard to look into the crystal ball 11 months from Election Day," Gibbs said. Hard -- and also, if you're a Democrat these days, a little scary. The surprising news Tuesday night that Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., wouldn't run again was followed not long afterward by the slightly less surprising news that his Connecticut counterpart Chris Dodd would join him in retirement. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced his retirement, too, and just for good measure, Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry said he would sit out the 2010 election as well. Republicans and the media alike declared the sky was falling for the Obama administration and the Democratic Party.

"The...