And he should be: Obama is facing a perilous political environment that could hold major implications for this year’s elections & his own agenda.

From The New York Times:

The sudden decision by two senior Democratic senators to retire shook the party’s leaders on Wednesday and signaled that President Obama is facing a perilous political environment that could hold major implications for this year’s midterm elections and his own agenda.

There was no immediate sign that the developments would further complicate White House efforts to secure final passage of Mr. Obama’s main domestic priority, the overhaul of the health care system, but the political pressure on Democrats from competitive states and districts will not make it any easier.

Together [the two retirements by Senators Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut and Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota that they would retire rather than wage uphill fights for re-election and the announcement that followed that Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. of Colorado, a Democrat, would not seek a second term], the developments heightened a perception that a conservative push against the president’s ambitious agenda, a sluggish recovery from the deep recession and an outbreak of angry populism have combined to deplete Mr. Obama’s political strength and give Republicans a chance for big gains in this year’s races for the Senate and the House.

To the degree that the retirements reflect increasing skepticism among voters about the direction Democrats are pushing the country, Mr. Obama could face a tougher time winning legislative support as he presses ahead with initiatives on climate change, financial regulation, education and other issues.

The White House and Democratic Party leaders reached out on Wednesday to reassure other potentially vulnerable Democrats in an effort to prevent any more retirements or party-switching.

[S]eldom has a week passed in the last few months when a House or Senate Democrat, fearful of the outcome in the midterm elections, has not switched parties or retired.

Despite the focus on the Democrats’ problems, Republicans are faring worse this year in terms of resignations putting seats in play.