Plan

It is my understanding that Reid and Pelosi will outlining a plan for Democrats to retake the House and Senate early this year. Reed Hunt is certain Bush will be doing just that for the Republicans in the State of the Union address later this month. However, Hunt seems to suggest that Dems can take heart in all the unpredictable and unfavorable news likely to plague Republicans in 2006.

To be honest, that doesn't give me much confidence. I can't imagine a more negative news environment for an incumbent than during the 2004 campaign, and yet Bush still eked out a victory. Reid and Pelosi would do well to present their "plan" ASAP and Democrats would do well to get behind it and shout it loudly in the coming year.

The advantage for Democrats in having a clear agenda on a number of issues, including the war in Iraq, is that it forces Republicans, even in marginal races, to take sides and would help re-define the party after three consecutive losses in national elections.