by Matthew Hay Brown

Her colleagues might be looking ahead to the second Tuesday of November 2008, when the nation will decide whether to expand the Democratic majority or return Congress to the Republicans. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she's focused on the fourth Thursday of November 2007.

"Election Day is a very important day in determining who will control the Congress," the California Democrat told reporters today. "But equally as important is the political climate one year before, because one year before is when people decide whether they're going to run for office or not. ... Usually, Thanksgiving is a time when families come together and prospective candidates will talk this over with family."

The decision of Sen. Pete Domenici not to seek re-election in 2008 has set the Hill buzzing anew about Democratic prospects to expand their majority next fall.

With only a 51-49 majority in the Senate, Democrats have been stymied all year by their inability to achieve the 60 votes needed to pass controversial measures on Iraq and other issues. Domenici, a six-term Republican from New Mexico, would be the fifth Republican to stand down next year, after Wayne Allard of Colorado, Larry Craig of Idaho, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and John Warner of Virginia.

"These vacancies, obviously, they make it harder for them," Sen. Charles E. Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told reporters today. "But, you know, we're working hard, we're feeling pretty good. We feel the wind is it our back."

(House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, above, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, at a press conference. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

At the other end of the Capitol, members were waiting to learn how Domenici's retirement might affect the House.

Republican Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather A. Wilson and Democratic Rep. Tom Udall all are considered potential contenders for the seat. Wilson, who struggled to a narrow re-election win last fall only to become embroiled in the U.S. attorney firings, was expected to make an announcement today.

Asked about the slew of retirements among House Republicans - former Speaker Dennis J. Hastert among them - Minority Leader John A. Boehner professed to be unconcerned.

"I'm sure there will be some more," the Ohio Republican said. "You always have some number of members retiring. But if you look at the members that are retiring, they're not from districts that present a great big challenge to us. In most of those seats, I think we're in very good condition."

Sen. Patty Murray, secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus, called Domenici's retirement "a real loss" to the Republican caucus.

"He has been one of the real leaders in the Republican caucus in understanding how we have to work together," the Washington state Democrat said. "Although we may agree to disagree on issues, he understands that we have a job to do in making sure that the United States Senate and our country works right, and we will miss him.

Her tone contrasted sharply with that of Pelosi, when she commented today on the GOP House retirements.

"Most of the ones who are leaving are people who have been here a while, so I served with them for a long time, respect their service to our country, and sincerely wish them well," she said. "I'm not sad to see them go."