SHE RECOGNIZED THAT A BAD CYCLE FOR DEMOCRATS WAS COMING:

Kansas Democrats Have Slim Pickings for Senate Race Without Sebelius (Leah Nylen, 3/02/09, CQ)

Sebelius’ centrist image helped her win election as governor in 2002 and 2006, making her one of the rare Democratic politicians who have prospered statewide in usually Republican-dominated Kansas.

As a result, many Democrats not only hoped the term-limited governor would run to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Sam Brownback but also viewed her candidacy as virtually essential, if the party was to make a serious bid to capture the seat in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.

Without Sebelius, Democrats have few obvious options for what is already shaping up to be a difficult race. Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran , two of the three Republicans who represent Kansas in the U.S. House, have already launched campaigns for the 2010 primary, and they are using what has been a strong launching pad for Senate candidates in Kansas: Both current incumbents, Brownback and Pat Roberts , moved to the Senate from the House.

Although the state’s strong Republican leanings meant Sebelius might not have a won a Senate bid, her removal as a potential candidate is a huge blow to the Democrats, according to Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University in Topeka.