This will teach me not to leave my computer near the end of the day. Huge, huge, huge news in the Senate: Byron Dorgan is retiring. His departure creates an enormous pickup opportunity for the GOP.

I’m hearing Democrats speculating about North Dakota’s lone House member, Earl Pomeroy, running for the seat. For Republicans, that’s a great win-win scenario, as they would have a good shot at the Senate seat and a great shot at picking up Pomeroy’s House seat.

UPDATE: From his statement:

Although I still have a passion for public service and enjoy my work in the Senate, I have other interests and I have other things I would like to pursue outside of public life. I have written two books and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books. I would like to do some teaching and would also like to work on energy policy in the private sector.

Translation: “Dear lobbying and law firms, I am available, and seeking something like the Daschle deal. Show me the money.”