That means that either one of them must retire, or Levin and Peters will be forced to fight to the death in the August 2012 primary. That's what happened 10 years ago, when Michigan lost another seat and Congresswoman Lynn Rivers took on John Dingell, and was squashed like a bug in the process, ending her political career.

What would happen if Peters and Levin have to take each other on? Odds would heavily favor Levin. He's been a fixture in state politics since the 1960s, and was almost elected governor in 1970, well before most of today's citizens were even born.

Yet that's not what should happen. Nobody may be willing to say this except me, but Sandy Levin should do the honorable thing in that case, and retire. Why? Because he will be 81 years old before the election. Peters will be not quite 54. He has the potential to have a long and productive career in Congress ahead of him.

Sandy Levin, one way or another, will be gone in a few years — as will almost all the rest of the Democratic congressional delegation. John Dingell will be 86 next year. Dale Kildee and John Conyers, 83. Even Sandy's kid brother, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, turns 77 next year.

Democrats and the state won't be well served if almost their entire delegation exits pretty much at once. For the long-term sake of his state and party, if it comes down to a choice between himself and Peters, Sandy Levin should do the honorable thing, and retire.

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