There is much news, possibly much to celebrate, and yet...
The $GOP-favoring media has already been kind enough to bait the hook in event of Dem victory. The know their prey and have calculated well. Based on previous behavior it seems like it will be a very, very tempting lure indeed.
What they're hooking (see how well this metaphor works!):
"How will a Democratic House avoid having congress become a courtroom of slash-and-burn politics?"
Like I said it's a shiny lure. One nibble at it and they. just. might. be. hooked.
Don't let our Democratic leaders bite the lure. Show them how to act from courage. Encourage them to not be afraid to show their own courage. This doesn't mean not to make positive agendas - it just means not to let the republicans dictate what "positive" means! We decide our fate - not the criminals!
No matter how many seats the Democratic party does, or does not pickup, they must face the conundrum which they managed to trod around in 2006, which is that at some point 'not getting in the way of your opponent hanging themselves' will only win the seat. It won't keep it for you - and it won't win a presidency two years later. Democratic leaders have very little time and/or cushion in which to figure this part out.
If the blogosphere has a part to play over the next couple years, it might be best done by helping set the agenda and the messaging for the party. We can try things out for the leadership and show them that it works, and we need to do it early.
Tomorrow it starts!
"The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong (or bold), but that's the way to bet." - Damon Runyon