If Mikulski retired, Ehrlich would have an excellent chance of being elected to the Senate (especially with Kweisi Mfume being more likely than not to get the Dem nomination). But, you’re right, it will be very tough to dislodge Mikulski.
I hope that Ehrlich runs against O’Malley and that if he falls short he doesn’t stop running and takes on Cardin in 2012.
I thought she would be a possible retiree but it’s looks like she’s running again. She’d be close to 80 at the end of her next term.
Hopefully it will be her last. Do Hobbits live longer than Humans?