From The Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Bayh’s decision appeared to catch party leaders off guard. The senator has plenty of cash in the bank for his re-election bid, and recent polls showed him with big leads over two potential Republican challengers, including former Sen. Dan Coats, who is seeking a return to Capitol Hill. Mr. Bayh is a respected lawmaker, a former governor who has often been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate.

Mr. Bayh called Mr. Reid early Monday, a few hours before his public announcement in Indiana.

“It says something that an incumbent senator with $13 million in the bank decides to retire this late in the process,” said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Ms. Duffy said as many as seven Democratic seats might switch hands this year, and suggested even more could be put in play if Republicans find strong candidates.

I’ll tell you what it says.  It says that the government growing, tax raising, the-system-works liberals know that their goose is cooked.  For those lefty politicians running in the 2010 elections, well, try not to cry too hard into your Cheerios on November 3rd.