"Everywhere I went today, folks were lined up," said Mr. Cummings, a two-term Democrat.

Faced with a popular two-term Democrat, they turned to their only logical solution: stir up some mud.

Mr. Lieberman, a two-term Democrat, has sky-high approval ratings, overflowing campaign coffers and, as yet, no opponent.

By the current wisdom, Obama will then join Clinton in the ranks of two-term Democrats, because most Americans value economic security more than fiscal austerity.

Two well-known political figures were seeking to succeed the state's governor, Tony Knowles, a two-term Democrat who was barred by term limits from seeking re-election.

Mr. Dodd, a two-term Democrat, has a war chest of about $2 million.

The state faced substantial changes with the retirement of Gov. George Sinner, a two-term Democrat.

The two are running for the seat left vacant by the retirement of Senator Paul Simon, a two-term Democrat.

And even after he emerged victorious in the primary, few observers gave him a chance against Gov. Pat Brown, the popular two-term liberal Democrat.

Elsewhere, Representative Blanche Lincoln, a two-term Democrat, decided to retire to spend more time at home with her recently arrived twins.