Kit Bond Is Out; Who Is In?

As expected, five term Missouri Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond announced his intention to retire today. Within a few hours, the scramble to replace him will begin.

Republicans say that former House Minority Whip Roy Blunt is likely to throw in. 

Republicans in Washington say that donors are likely to try and press former Sen. Jim Talent back into service, too.  Talent has won statewide before -- before he lost to Democrat Claire McCaskill -- and is from the St. Louis area, meaning that he'd outperform the average Republican there. He is well-known and well-liked in the state, and, even McCaskill might admit her victory in 2006 had a lot to do with the national political environment, which was rat poison for Republicans.

Former Rep. Kenny Hulsoff might try to run, too.

The Democrats have two major candidates lined up: Robin Carnahan, a legacy of the Carnahan dynasty, would probably have been in the race even if Blunt hadn'[t retured.  Her father, Mel Carnahan, served as governor; running for the Senate in 2000, he was killed in a plane crash. His name remain on the ballot and he was elected posthumously. Her mother, Jean Carnahan, served the two years remaining of her husband's term. In 2006, Republican Talent narrowly beat Carnahan.  Robin Carnahan is Missouri's Secretary of State.  Her colleague, Chris Koster, the state's attorney general, has also spoken to Democrats about a bid.

Blunt's retirement brings to three the number of Republicans who are getting out of Dodge.  Republicans have the edge to pick up Sam Brownback's seat in Kansas; either party could win in Mel Martinez's Florida. Republicans expect at least one or two more of their colleagues to follow suit.