Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) has dropped out of the race for Senate Republican Conference chairman. Basically, she thought she couldn’t win. I am told that many Republicans bought the argument that she’s leaving the Senate in just a short time and therefore may not be best for the job.

Conservatives had reasons for hoping that she, and not Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), would take the spot, because it would move conservatives up the food chain and give them a shot at her position when she leaves.

No one gives much credence to the idea that Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) can defeat Alexander, but no one knows for sure whether the quiet freshman can’t surprise a few people.