Dems are leaving the political stage, some on their own feet and some by the hook:

“Get the hook!”

This was a cry from the audience to get a bad performer off the stage. Someone in the wings would get a hooked pole and hook the performer away….

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that he will not seek reelection. Beginning in January 1975, he served three terms as Congressman from Connecticut’s 2nd district, followed by five terms in the Senate. But now his public support has evaporated. While serving as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Dodd helped troubled subprime mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, after receiving a $75,000 reduction in mortgage payments on his Washington, D.C. and Connecticut homes from them. Dodd was the top all-time beneficiary of campaign contributions from American International Group (AIG). He then inserted a clause in the federal bailout of that company that permitted their executives to receive $165 million in bonuses from the taxpayers’ money. CNN reports — Recent controversies overshadow Chris Dodd’s career. Duh!

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) announced his retirement yesterday. Dorgan served six consecutive terms in Congress, followed by three terms in the Senate. Although he denies that the declining Democrat poll numbers are a factor, he would have faced a difficult reelection campaign:

Recent national polling groups have shown Republican Governor John Hoeven leading Dorgan by as much as 15 percentage points, even though Hoeven has not announced plans to run for the Senate.

As many have predicted, going into the mid-term elections the Democrats OWN the unpopular socialization of health care.

The outlook for Democratic governors is also grim. Today Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said that he would not seek reelection. Neither will Colorado’s Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien, who stood beside him as he made the announcement. Ritter also denied the obvious:

He dismissed the idea that weak poll numbers influenced his decision, and said he was satisfied with fund-raising progress. Instead, he said it was an “intensely personal” decision based solely on the needs of his wife and four children.

Retiring Democratic congressmen:

• Artur Davis (AL-7th)
• Kendrick Meek (FL-17th)
• Neil Abercrombie (HI-1st)
• Rep. Dennis Moore (KS-3rd) is “stepping down” after six terms.
• Charlie Melancon (LA-3rd) will challange Republican Senator David Vitter in the Louisiana Senate Race.
• Paul Hodes (NH-2nd) will run for Senate.
• Joe Sestak (PA-7th) will run for Senate.
• Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-6th) said he would not seek re-election in 2010.
• Rep. John Tanner (TN-8th) will retire after 11 terms:
  

  …his decision … will make his seat a prime pickup opportunity for GOPers.

• Rep. Brian Baird (WA-3rd) announced his retirement “to pursue other options” in December.
  

  …state Rep. Jaime Herrera (R) … told GOPers she’d be a candidate almost immediately after Baird’s announcement. The former aide to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) has been groomed for the seat, and WA Dems privately concede she’ll be a tough candidate.

Exuent stage right: In December, Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith became a Republican:

Griffith said he had become increasingly uncomfortable with the liberal policies of his party and president, especially the overwhelming spending.

The hook: Baltimore, Maryland Mayor Sheila Dixon agreed to resign from office after being convicted of embezzlement last month. This is really unthinkable — she was accused of “misappropriating about $500 in gift cards donated to the city for needy families”… How low can you go?

UPDATES:

Dick Morris — THE RETIREMENT FLU: DEMS START TO STAMPEDE

Other than the H1N1 virus, the most contagious disease in our nation’s capital is retirement. The more Democrats that quit, the more others are also encouraged to hang it up….

These retirements also send a signal to voters that is anything but helpful to President Obama: Democrats expect to lose….

ABC News: The Note — Democrats are Dropping Like Flies