In midterms we get clobbered

[Seeking Serenity]

7. In 2006, the WH was controlled by the GOP.

It's a typical pattern (1998 was a rare exception). In mid-term elections, the party that controls the WH tends to fare badly. 1994, 2006, 2010. Usually, by mid-terms, non-aligned voters have grown weary of or want some check on the party in power at the WH. It's not unusual and often is understandable.

On edit: After reading post #8 below, I should have added that just because it's a typical pattern doesn't mean it has to happen every time or this year in particular. We've just got to get out there and sell ourselves as the party with better ideas. Just my $0.02? Running purely fear-based, "Ooh, be scared of those boogeyman Republicans" isn't gonna cut it this year. We need to sell positive ideas.