He hated the Iraq war (until he decided he loved Bush's surge), he voted against health insurance reform last month, and now he's retiring. Says The Fix:

Baird, first elected to the 3rd district in 1998, had solidified his hold on this southwestern Washington seat over the past decade. He had been re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote regularly despite the fact that then President George W. Bush carried the seat in 2000 and 2004. President Barack Obama won the district 53 percent to 45 percent last November.

Given the demographics, Republicans are likely to target Baird's seat in 2010. More broadly, Baird's retirement will increase chatter within Democratic circles that potentially vulnerable members are jumping ship rather than running the risk of losing their seats in what is shaping up to be a tough 2010 election.