When Democrats float the idea of a Republican senator joining President Barack Obama’s Cabinet, it usually means they know they can’t defeat the incumbent in an election.

Democrats appear to have thrown in the towel on defeating Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine. When party strategists discuss offensive opportunities, it is usually limited to the open seat in Georgia and challenging Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky.

So, even though Collins is the only Republican senator seeking re-election next year in a state that President Obama carried in 2012, she looks to be in fine shape for another term next year.

We’re moving the race from Republican Favored to Safe Republican.