On both sides of the aisle.  The latest is Evan Bayh.

Sen. Evan Bayh to not seek re-election

Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana has decided to not seek re-election, NBC confirms.

Bayh's departure continues a recent exodus from Congress among both Democrats and Republicans, including veteran Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, amid polls showing a rising anti-incumbent fervor in an electorate angry over high unemployment, mounting federal deficits and lucrative banking industry bonuses.

The Indianapolis Star reports that Bayh is attributing his decision to excessive partisanship that makes progress on public policy difficult to achieve as the motivation for his decision.

Bayh scheduled a Monday afternoon news conference in Indianapolis. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment at his Senate office and for state Democratic chairman Dan Parker, who is Bayh's campaign manager.

"After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned," he told the Indianapolis Star.

"My decision was not motivated by political concern," he added. "Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election."

Bayh's exit gives Republicans a prime pick-up opportunity. Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats (R) is running for the seat. Bayh was leading Coats by 20 points (55% to 35%) in a recent Research 2000/DailyKos poll.

Republicans now have Senate pick-up opportunities in at least eight states — Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, and North Dakota.

GOP needs 10 seats
To take back control of the Senate, Republicans will need to gain a net of 10 seats.

Democrats have pick-up opportunities in at least three states — New Hampshire, Ohio, and Missouri.

Democrats have been hammering Coats for his residence, his lobbying and more. And a Democratic official says Bayh was ahead.

"They polled last week and were way ahead of Coats," the official said, adding that petitions were due tomorrow and the Bayh campaign's "were all done."

The decision "must have been a last minute, personal decision."

As for who could run to replace Bayh, look to Reps. Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill. Democrats are working to convince either — both of whom represent swing districts in the Southern part of the state. Ellsworth, the former Vanderburgh County sherriff, is seen by some observers as, potentially, the strongest Democratic candidate. Hill is a former Indiana high school basketball star.

On the Republican side, Rep. Mike Pence could reverse course and decide to jump into the race.

"Since petitions due tomorrow, there will be a vacancy and because of that there's a way for the party to name the candidate afterwards," the Democratic official said, adding, "And don't forget how weak the Republican field is right now. Coats now damaged goods, and there's no Mitch Daniels running."

Bayh, 54, grew up mostly in Washington, D.C., and is the son of former Sen. Birch Bayh. He was first elected in 1998.

Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray of NBC News contributed to this report.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35406833/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

According to the CNN report I heard, more Republicans are quitting than Democrats.  

never cared much for him.

That's true, although it's very close in numbers.  It's a little surprising that so many Democrats are retiring, though, because generally parties that have just come back into the majority in Congress tend to lose fewer members than what we're seeing, at least in part because they hate to get out of Congress after they have finally become part of the majority party and can actually accomplish something legislatively.  You'll usually see something of an exodus from the party that has fallen into the minority, because a lot of politicians really don't want to stick around once they have lost the power they had when their party was in the majority.

Bayh's exit is going to make it tough on the Democrats to hold that seat because I think the filing deadline for the primary is tomorrow, and his retirement is such a surprise I'm not sure anyone else has been preparing at all for a run for the Senate.

Bayh is one of the 60 vote crowd. Why wouldn't he stick around to change that in order to get something done?

To change what?

Bayh was likely going to be facing a tough campaign, and he has been taking a beating from some factions of his own party, as well, because he's not sen as liberal enough for some.