And another Democrat bites the dust.

Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) announced his retirement early this evening.

“The time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving. Hence, I am announcing today that I do not intend to seek reelection to Congress in 2010,” the six-term congressman said in a statement. “This is not an easy decision to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision at the right time.”

Baird is the third Democrat to officially retire after Reps. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) and Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) recently announced their departures. Six Democrats are leaving their seats to run for another office.

In comparison, there were 28 Democratic retirements in 1994, when the Republicans retook the House.

Translation: don’t get too excited, Republicans. I, however, think that this is a very good sign for us. Dems are already bound to lose a good number of seats in the House. And now we’re seeing several Democrats leave, like rats scramble off a sinking ship. If Democrats keep going the way they’re going, they’re bound to see monumental losses in 2010. Their options are basically to either retire, go against Obama & Co., or get voted out of office. The way I see it, these three are just ahead of the curve.

Exit question: will the media scorn them for months for being quitters?

(I won’t hold my breath.)