If I've learned nothing else from my time on this site, it is that the regular people who call themselves Democrats have more heart and soul than (most of) our party's elected leaders, and that the regular people will stand up for and loudly defend their principles.  I am sick of the "liberal"  politicians:  They claim to speak out for us, but that's impossible when the Dems' leaders haven't made it clear what they are speaking out for.  The so-called liberal pundits just reinforce their bad behavior:  Deride them for not being strong like Dear Leader when they don't have a solid position regarding issue X; but then if they do, deride them for insulting the Red Staters.  (Like the conservatives are so sensitive!  But that's a whole other rant...)  

One thing that Republicans have going for them is that their leaders actually do speak for a majority of the people they represent.   They declare their position on issue X and supply their "facts" to support it; they (mis)lead.  Even if their declared position was directed or their info supplied by the Religious Right, The Heritage Foundation, or the Cato Inst.; Repubs take a stand and don't back down (and usually look very comfortable when defending their back-asswards positions).  

The wishy-washy stand-for-nothing attitude is why we are losing ground.  The Dems I see on TV hem and haw and don't say much of anything.  If we don't stand up for what we believe in, the undecideds are always going to side with the party that is sure of themselves.    We may be getting better - Ms. Boxer and Ms. Tubbs-Jones have given me a glimmer of hope.   Self-confidence is attractive, after all, and the people will respond if we keep it up.