A good Tuesday morning, a day in which Democrats are once again scrambling to replace a Senator in a state in which they aren't so popular. And it's snowing in DC.

So basically, not a whole lot has changed.

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, one of the most moderate Dems in Congress (you'd have to be from the Hoosier state), has announced that he will not seek re-election to a third term. In his press conference yesterday he said something about it being impossible to get anything done in the Senate, but that he still loves working for the people. It was startlingly similar to a speech given by a particular Alaskan politician. Can't remember her name...

Anyway, Bayh makes this announcement the day before signatures were due to put your name on the Indiana primary ballot. He also does it with $13 million in the bank, which is what caught many by surprise. The Hotline explains a little more about the process, basically saying that Dems will just choose a candidate and avoid a primary - probably a good thing.

This has already stirred up the talk about whether Democrats will lose the majority in the Senate - as if that majority has meant something up to this point - and Politico led off with that story today. Entitled "Five Ways to Lose the Senate Majority," some (hopefully all) of you Washingtonians might recognize one of the faces.

"If the GOP can reel in a big fish who can connect with suburbanites and dominate in eastern Washington—not a heavy lift since Murray lost every county east of the Cascades in 2004—this seemingly sleepy seat could be in play."

That fish would be Dino Rossi of course, the two-time loser to Gov. Gregoire in 2004 and 2008. And, as the story points out, Rossi still has time to decide with the filing date not until June. I would honestly be surprised if he doesn't run. It could be a good next couple of years for Washington Republicans if Rob McKenna runs for Governor in 2012.
(It should be mentioned as a side note that, while technically the 8th district seat held by Dave Reichert, mentioned as a possible candidate, is D+3 according to Cook Political - meaning the district was three points more Democratic than the nation - the money in that district sits on the red side of the spectrum.)

Here is the Rasmussen poll mentioned in the story, showing Murray trailing Rossi by two points. What I actually find the most interesting thing about that poll are some of the other numbers, including 48 percent who say their personal finances are good or excellent, speaking to how well the state has been able to weather the weak economy. There are, however, some rather telling numbers that oppose federal taxes.

The other big news of the day actually broke last night, when it was announced that a joint operation between Pakistan and the U.S. led to the capture of the Taliban's top military commander.

"The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder and a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks."

He has actually been in custody for a few days now. This morning Glenn Beck was on Fox 'n Friends and said they should just, "shoot him in the head." That is somewhat contrary to the normal tune on that channel, which says he should be interrogated first. Nevertheless, his point that this man should never see the inside of a courtroom remains the same. Comments?

Certainly something to follow closely as it will no doubt be the next terrorist debate.

Now off to change the world. One Mardi Gras bead at a time...