Agreed that it wouldn't make that much difference. Actually, with the O=bot gone it would probably help the Slave Party in the next election, allowing the candidate to assert the bogus claim of "moderate conservative." It would seem the spate of retirements we've seen is just for that purpose of depriving the conservative nominee of a record against which to run.
Good points... I honestly think Obama has already been told by the DNC (and others?) that he will NOT be running for re-election for the good of the party. It seems they are trying everything possible to save the Democrat Party, save for actually admitting they were either duped, or in cahoots with Obama himself re: eligibility...
As I said though — all speculation on my part.