in michigan, democrac lieutenantovernor john cherry decided against a n for that state's tojob. anin colorado, democratic governor bill ritter pns to step down. >> ifill: here to scuss thfallout from these high- profe decisions are two who specialize in politi, writ large and sml. amy walter, editor of "the national journal's political ily, "hotline". and chris cilizza, who reports on politicfor the "washington post." amy, different men, differen states, differenreasons? >> different reasons , both have been there a very long time. they wereoth were looking at competitive races and bothaid wh, it's time to go out on top. i think it's interesting , too, en you look at where these reoning compelatively, in the dorgan situation youook a seat that waseally not on the table-at least not yet coo and put at basically into what i would say rit now is a lean republican column.