The Democratic Party found out this week that two of its stars will be setting: Senators Christopher Dodd from Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota – who’ve served a combined 46 years in the Senate. Both announced they will not seek reelection in 2010.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter followed their lead and also announced yesterday he’s ending his bid to keep his seat. These retirements come on top of a string of party defections and seem to weaken the Democrats... With us this morning to look at the political landscape and history, as well as what’s at stake for both Democrats and Republicans, is Jeff Zeleny from The New York Times.  We're also joined by Ron Kaufman, former White House political director; Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, and a close friend and advisor to Mitt Romney. Kaufman talks about what Republicans' strategy should be for the 2010 midterm elections.

What is happening in the GOP? John Ensign and Mark Sanford are the latest casualties of controversy in the Republican Party, admitting to having extramarital affairs. Both were thought to be 2012 presidential hopefuls, but now what's in store for the Republican party?

Joining The Takeaway are two prominent advisers and strategists in the Republican Party. Grover Norquist is the President of Americans for Tax Reform and the author of “Leave Us Alone – Getting the Government’s Hands off our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives.” And Ron Kaufman is a former White House Political Director under George H.W. Bush and also a close friend and adviser to Mitt Romney.