Analysts look at the number of senators and representatives who choose to leave Congress as an indicator of how the political winds are blowing for the upcoming congressional elections. For Democrats looking ahead to the 2010 contests, the outlook is anything but bright.The Examiner‘sMichael Barone has in recent weeks chronicled the lengthening parade of House Democrats deciding not to seek re-election. Judging by voter attitudes on major issues and their voting intentions as measured by generic ballot surveys, it looks like 2010 is going to be a very tough year for incumbents generally, but especially so for Democrats.

Among the Democrats Barone has spotlighted are Reps. Dennis Moore of Kansas, John Tanner and Bart Gordon of Tennessee, Brian Baird of Washington, and Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii. Abercrombie is leaving the House early in order to campaign for governor, but the other four Democrats, all of whose districts have been trending Republican, are simply retiring. Tanner and Gordon are especially noteworthy as less liberal Blue Dog Democrats who have found life under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “challenging.”