RollCall: “North Dakota Senate Moved to Leans Republican”

Cook Political Report’s Jennifer Duffy: “2010 was not especially kind to Democrats in North Dakota, and Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad’s announcement today that he will retire at the end of this Congress may be a sign that 2012 won’t be much better.”

National Public Radio: “There were many Senate retirements in the 2010 Senate election cycle but they adversely affected Democrats much more than Republicans. The GOP had to defend seven open seats – in Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio and Utah – but won them all. Democrats, on the other hand, lost four of its seven open seats – in Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota and Pennsylvania.”

New York Times: “The loss of a veteran like Mr. Conrad who could run a competitive race in a conservative state next year shows the challenges facing Senate Democrats as they try to hold on to the Senate when they have twice as many seats up for re-election as Republicans.”

The Hotline: “But every step forward for Dems, lately, has been met with two steps back. Sure, there are a few quality Dems in ND, but don’t buy the spin; Sen. Kent Conrad’s decision to retire is a big blow to Dem efforts to hold on to their few remaining seats in the Plains States. The GOP nominee will be the favorite to take over Conrad’s seat. Already, GOPers are recruiting good candidates, or are on the verge of doing so, in MO, NM, FL, VA, MT and NE, and the cycle is only just getting started. Their success highlights 2 things: First, momentum pays off in recruitment efforts. Second, the 53-seat Dem majority is very much in danger because of that GOP momentum.”

The Hill: “Conrad’s retirement is bad news for Democrats, who will have to defend 23 Senate seats in 2012 when Republicans have only 10 seats up. Republicans only need a net gain of four seats to take control of the upper chamber.

Real Clear Politics: “This sets up the second prime Republican pickup opportunity in North Dakota in as many cycles. Although the state sent two Democrats to the Senate from 1986 through 2010 and has toyed with voting for Democrats for president (Bill Clinton lost the state by only six points in 1996), it has taken on a decidedly Republican tilt over the past decade. Compounding the Democrats’ challege of retaining this seat, the party’s bench in the state is very thin…. Republicans have a plethora of potential candidates…”

Politico: “Conrad’s move puts North Dakota Democrats in a difficult position following a 2010 cycle that saw Sen. Byron Dorgan retire and Rep. Earl Pomeroy ousted after nine-terms….But Pomeroy, who recently moved to Washington, D.C. to take a job as a health care lobbyist with Alston & Baird, appeared to rule out a 2012 bid Tuesday.”