In many cases, DFLers simply got caught in an undertow in districts that are fundamentally split in their political allegiances; in some, like rural Senate District 16, they handed back control of districts no one had expected them to win in the first place; in others, it appears, they failed to take steps to protect incumbents who faced discernible pockets of Republican opposition.

While Democrats nationally are pushing state Sen. Tarryl Clark's bid to take over Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's seat in the Sixth Congressional District - a long shot by any measure - the DFL Party in Minnesota is working hard to keep the central Minnesota seat she is vacating in blue territory.

Tarryl Clark was initially elected to the state Senate five years ago in a special election. She then easily won re-election in 2006 and emerged as a key DFL leader in the ensuing years. Now Clark is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 6th Congressional District.

Eight Minnesota legislative incumbents -- five DFLers and three Republicans -- are facing challenges from members of their own parties this year, not counting six incumbents who have said that they aren't seeking re-election and have fellow party members lining up to succeed them.