Anyone remember Newt Gingrich's Contract With America?

[InvisibleBallots]

It was a brilliant political move. Republicans defined themselves to the public by advertising in TV guide and magazines that massive numbers of Americans actually read. They came up with 10 simple points, worded in such that most people agreed. The Democrats were left to react. Gingrich was able to win Congress with a some of the most right-wing Republicans ever.

Democrats need to define themselves to the public now - not a litany of things that Bush and the Republicans have done wrong, but what Democrats propose to do. We set the terms of debate, and have a discussion directly with the public, leaving the Republicans to react. Talking about 2008 is premature, we need to concentrate on winning Congress. Sure, the demographics and gerrymandering are against us, but we don't really have any choice.