RELEVANCE

Asherman, who has written some fine paragraphs on this thread, did mention the economy as an important factor. I am sure that my approach towards analysis of the coming election is not based on what appear to be profound and deep thinking on the part of Asherman--who hits all the right notes.

However, I am much more simplistic. I rely on two broad indices--

1. Peace

and

2. Prosperity

If the Iraqis have the situation in hand by September and we begin to withdraw troops and if the 40 or 50 Million 401K's show that the fortunes of the American worker are rising, the Republicans will remain in power in both houses since, as it appears that no one has mentioned, the last political re-organization based on the 2000 census has resulted in creating the smallest number of "contested seats" in memory. The Democrats carved out districts to support House Democrats as did the Republicans.

As Asherman wisely noted--Two weeks is a lifetime in politics.

One party is trying to rethink the relevance issue.

Optimistic, Democrats Debate the Party's Vision

Read more of the article at above link.

"Optimistic, Democrats Debate the Party's Vision

By ROBIN TONER

WASHINGTON, May 8 ?- With Democrats increasingly optimistic about this year's midterm elections and the landscape for 2008, intellectuals in the center and on the left are debating how to sharpen the party's identity and present a clear alternative to the conservatism that has dominated political thought for a generation.

Many of these analysts, both liberals and moderates, are convinced that the Democrats face a moment of historic opportunity. They say that the country is weary of war and division and ready ?- if given a compelling choice ?- to reject the Republicans and change the country's direction. They argue that the Democratic Party is showing signs of new health ?- intense party discipline on Capitol Hill, a host of policy proposals and an energized base.

But some of these analysts argue that the party needs something more than a pastiche of policy proposals. It needs a broader vision, a narrative, they say, to return to power and govern effectively ?- what some describe as an unapologetic appeal to the "common good," to big goals like expanding affordable health coverage and to occasional sacrifice for the sake of the nation as a whole."