With their defeat in 2008, Republicans are quickly shifting their focus to the mid-term elections in 2010.  The RNC most likely will be picking a new leader and GOP governors are gathered in Florida this week for their annual conference.  One thing is certain, 2010 will be critical for the Republicans.  Not only do they need to try to gain back some of their losses in Congress, the also need to focus on retaining state houses they hold now and hopefully gaining some back as well.  You can bet Colorado Governor Ritter as well as other Dems in the Colorado legislature will be a prime target. 

Today in the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove had a very interesting analysis of what 2010 may hold for the GOP.  He points out that history favors the minority party in almost every mid-tern election with a first term president.  In part, Mr. Rove said:

History will favor Republicans in 2010. Since World War II, the out-party has gained an average of 23 seats in the U.S. House and two in the U.S. Senate in a new president's first midterm election. Other than FDR and George W. Bush, no president has gained seats in his first midterm election in both chambers.

Since 1966, the incumbent party has lost an average of 63 state senate and 262 state house seats, and six governorships, in a president's first midterm election. That 2010 is likely to see Republicans begin rebounding just before redistricting is one silver lining in an otherwise dismal year for the GOP.

Very interesting stuff and it is something that will be fun to watch.  2010 is a critical year as redistricting is sure to take place after the census and Republicans are going to need to control as many crucial state house's as possible.