The odds get longer for the Democrats; This week's decision by Sen. John Breaux, D-La., to retire from the Senate simply underscored something that most political insiders already knew: because of retirements and other circumstances, Democrats will have a very difficult time next fall overcoming the Republicans' slim 51-49 majority

The possibilities of the Democrats overcoming the Republicans in different states are reviewed. The Democrats have the opportunity to win Republican seats but they have to contend with five open seats in order to have a majority.