With the retirement announcements of Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) as well as the Democratic Governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter, Republicans and much of the media have whipped themselves into a tizzy over supposed impending doom for the Democratic Party. Witness ABC News’ headline, “Democrats are Dropping Like Flies:”

The all-but-assured Democratic nominee for governor in Michigan, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, ended his bid today. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota announced he will not seek reelection this year. And now word from Colorado that the first term Democratic governor there is shying away from facing voters again in November.

You will certainly hear a lot of talk from Republicans that Democrats are beginning to face the reality of just how tough the current political landscape looks for them and they are running for the hills.

Courtesy of Steve Bennen, however, a reality check:

Quick quiz: which party has more Senate retirements so far this campaign cycle, Democrats or Republicans? Follow-up question: which party has more House retirements so far this campaign cycle, Democrats or Republicans?

If Dems are “dropping like flies,” the answer should be obvious. But it’s not — in both chambers, Republican retirements, at least for now, outnumber Democratic retirements.

In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Does this mean Republicans are “dropping like flies”?

In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Is this evidence of a mass Democratic exodus?

Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election — Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado — have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four — Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)

So, to review, Republican retirements outnumber Democratic retirements in the House, in the Senate, and among governors. The preferred Republican/media meme of the day doesn’t match up well against reality.

Let’s no pretend that these retirements are a good thing for the Democratic Party. But let’s also not pretend that everything is good news for Republicans.

Crazy Flooding [LINK]

The Lights Go Out In D.C. [LINK]

McCain Stacks Fox News ‘Town Hall’ With Supporters [LINK]

Chris Dodd (and others) Have Some Explainin’ To Do [LINK]

Obama On GOP Strategy: ‘They’re Trying To Make Me Into A Scary Guy’ [LINK]

Obama Team Renews Gas Tax Attack on McCain [LINK]

Ron Paul Is Out…Finally! [LINK]

Bowers: The Message That Will Win This Campaign [LINK]

{VIDEO} I’m Blogging [LINK]

Obama Moves Majority Of DNC Operations To Chicago [LINK]

Fox News VP: “Obama’s Baby Mama” Chyron Was “Poor Judgment.” [LINK]

NPR: Is It Still All About the White Men? [LINK]

McCain And Obama Split On Justices’ Guantánamo Ruling [LINK]

Survey: Foreigners Overwhelmingly Prefer Obama [LINK]

Caption anyone???

The nomination…in eight minutes…

and former candidate for the Democratic Party nomination Chris Dodd will endorse Sen. Barack Obama today in Ohio. Details here.

Statement from Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT):

“Yesterday, Connecticut Democratic voters went to the polls to elect candidates to represent our party in general election contests this fall.

“I congratulate all of the candidates for waging vigorous campaigns about important issues. These clean, issues-based campaigns are a hallmark of campaigns in our Democratic party and in our state.

“Another hallmark of our campaigns is that we Democrats typically unite behind nominees elected by Democratic voters. It is in keeping with that tradition that I join Rosa DeLauro, John Larson, and other Connecticut Democrats in declaring my support for the Democratic slate of candidates who will face the voters this November. That decision includes the race for the United States Senate.

“I supported Joe Lieberman in the primary. Like many other Democrats, it was my view that Joe had compiled a strong record on Democratic priorities, like good jobs and a healthier environment. He’s a good friend, a good Senator, and a good Democrat.

“But now the voters of our party have spoken — and I respect their decision. For that reason, I have congratulated Ned Lamont on his victory in the primary, and pledged to help in any way I can to secure his victory in the general election this fall. He has earned the right to represent our party and I believe he will be an outstanding candidate for the Senate. I hope Connecticut voters will support him on Election Day in November.”

Thank you Sen. Dodd for standing up and having the backbone to do what is good for your party.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) is off and running in his quest to win the Democratic nomination in 2008. According to the Hartford Courant, Dodd raised $1 million dollars this week in his first major push for presidential bucks ($$).

Dodd’s greatest need is to come up with a campaign kitty that will be considered viable. In the insular world of early presidential politics, activists look to the money figures as evidence of credibility and support.

Dodd had about $2 million on hand last month, a number that will clearly grow because of the fundraiser. But he still lags well behind others, notably New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has an estimated $20 million on hand, and 2004 Democratic nominee John F. Kerry, who has about $17 million.

Also considered potentially impressive fundraisers are former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, Delaware Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and 2004 vice president nominee John Edwards.

You might be asking yourself, who is Sen. Chris Dodd and why does he think he can be President of these United States?? Read up on him. If he can raise $1 million a week for the next 100 weeks, he’s golden.

Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) is taking steps to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for POTUS (President of the United States) in 2008.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd said today he has “decided to do all the things that are necessary to prepare to seek the presidency in 2008.”

The Connecticut Democrat will hire staff, raise money and travel around the country in the next few months as he tries to enlist support.

Like other presidential contenders, Dodd said during a lengthy interview in his Capitol Hill office that he will not formally decide until early next year whether to make his bid official. At the moment, he joins about 10 other major Democratic Party figures who are considering a run.

Sen. Dodd came close to running for President in 2004, but in the end decided not to. DoubleSpeak will follow the ‘08 horse-race and we’ll keep you up on who’s in, who’s out, who’s up and who’s down. Stay tuned!