After a dismal showing in his 2008 year-end fundraising report, Sen. Jim Bunning (R) said in a conference call with Kentucky reporters on Tuesday that his goal is to raise $2 million by the end of the second quarter.

Bunning, who is considered his party’s most endangered incumbent, raised just over $27,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and reported a paltry $150,000 in cash on hand as of Dec. 31. Those low numbers have drawn criticism from GOP operatives on Capitol Hill who believe the party might have a better chance of holding the seat if Bunning retires. Bunning has said that he already has several major fundraisers planned and that he expects it will take $10 million to win re-election.

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, who came just two points shy of knocking off Bunning in 2004, has already announced his intention to run again, and other top-tier Democrats are looking at the race.