From Eric Dondero:

It's still way early. But The Hill is saying that Republicans have a good shot of picking up the Senate for 2012. Five seats are seen as very vulnerable for Democrats due to retirements, and other factors.

The first edition of The Hill's 2012 race ratings puts five Democratic-held seats in the toss-up column. Republicans need a net gain of at least three seats to win the Senate.

Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) are the two incumbents that top of the list of vulnerable Senate Democrats in 2012. And, thanks to retirements, another three Democratic-held seats are toss-ups -- the ones held by Sens. Kent Conrad (N.D.), Jeff Bingaman (N.M.) and Jim Webb (Va.).

Nebraska and North Dakota are virtually certain GOP pick-ups with only nominal Dem opposition emerging to strong established GOP contenders. Montana near certain with Cong. Mike Rehberg on the GOP side.

Note - Hawaii too has become open with the recent retirement announcement of Dem Sen. Danial Akaka.

Photo of fmr. NM Cong. Heather Wilson, likely GOP nominee.