Winning.
While Democrats worry about appearances.
Wisconsin taught us the same lesson that should have been learned over and over again the last decade or so. From the Clinton impeachment, to the Florida 2000 debacle, to the Iraq war, to mid-decade restricting, to judicial nominations, to the health care fight, to repeal of the Bush tax cuts. Republicans will do whatever it takes, by any means necessary, to win. When faced with the same situation, Democrats will agonize, wring their hands, rack themselves with guilt, and seek "fairness" and "compromise." Maybe, just maybe, that's why Republicans seem to win most of the battles, while Democrats lose them.
Remember the public option? Democrats could have gotten that had they used the nuclear option in the senate. Same with repeal of the top end Bush tax cuts. But no, afraid to play for keeps, they lost on both.
Maybe someday they'll realize that they're not playing under the same rules as the Republicans. Then maybe, just maybe, they'll start winning some of these battles.
But I won't hold my breath.