Almost all of Obama's cabinet picks put a dent in our chances to make gains in next year's mid-terms.
First we have Arizona where he made the popular governor Janet Napolitano Secretary of Homeland Security, when she very well could've beaten John McCain. I personally don't have much against this since I'd rather have her take on Kyl in 2012. But still, it wasn't the smartest thing for Obama to do.
Next in South Dakota, where the (admittedly) slim chance Tom Daschle would've ran for his old senate seat. But that will never happen now that his reputation has been ruined.
Then in Iowa, Obama took away Vilsack, the only Democrat who had enough stature to provide an actual challenge to Grassley. Our only hope is if Grassley retires, which is looking less and less likely by the day.
Next, in Kansas, he took away Kathleen Sebelius, the only Democrat who could've, and probably would've, won the Senate seat in 2010.
Adding to this, in New York and Colorado, he took away safe Senate seats and made them vulnerable, especially Colorado.
Did Obama give the Republicans a gift? I'm sure John Cornyn thinks so. Our chances to make enough gains to TRULY have a filibuster proof majority pretty much have a stake through them now.