As I noted yesterday, I have heard people mention that the Democrats need to take back the House in 2006 and I cautioned against setting unrealistic goals. Let me try and lay out what I think the Party's goals should be and why.
First off, the Democratic Party needs to strengthen its position in the State houses. Being strong in State government will provide us with a larger selection of leaders for us to draw upon in House and Senate races. More importantly, it will ensure that we can create more Democratic safe seats and hopefully push some of the Republican districts into swing seats when redistricting comes around. This, above all else, will ensure that the Democratic Party will have a long and healthy future.
Between now and then we should work to make gains in both houses of Congress in 2006. However, we should not expect to take control, the Republican's have too many safe seats locked up. By 2008 President Bush will have made a big enough mess of the country, especially the economy, where it shouldn't be hard to win the Presidency. Once that happens we must be prepared to work hard and quickly turn things around and make things better. By 2010 we should have the seats we need in Congress to take control, and hopefully have control of both houses of Congress and the Presidency. This will allow us to move forward quickly between 2010 and 2012 to improve the lives of the people and ensure a lasting legacy and bright democratic future.
This is all we should try for or expect. Any more and we will over extend ourselves, get disappointed, and fail in the long run.