Important read from DemocracyCorps--analysis of Dems chances in 06

http://democracycorps.com/reports/analyses/Democracy_Corps_June_7_2006_Memo.pdf

It's in pdf so I can't copy from it....However, it really addresses many of our concerns about mushy messages....even mentioning a "stay at home protest" if Democrats don't get it together. In fact, it says that "positive views of the party have actually declined" over the last few months.

This is an excellent point by point assessment of what needs to be done and how to do it.
Specific advice for challengers.

The report says that current Democratic "advantages" are not enough to recapture the Senate OR the House. The party is "underperforming"; people want to be given a reason to come out and vote Democratic. (This tracks with Tom Oliphant's comments on Franken today--at this point it's really just 50-50 that Dems win either House).

They are wanting to take the party back from the ones who are trying to take it back from them. They are consultants, and they feel threatened.

On one show someone (Blitzer?) said to Carville that they were saying the same things Howard Dean was saying. One of them...not sure who got defensive and said it was not about Howard Dean.

Guess what Democracy Corps, it is about him...he is the chairman. That gives him a voice and it does make it about him...and us.

The report says that current Democratic "advantages" are not enough to recapture the Senate OR the House. The party is "underperforming"; people want to be given a reason to come out and vote Democratic. (This tracks with Tom Oliphant's comments on Franken today--at this point it's really just 50-50 that Dems win either House).

I wanted to avoid the expected preconceived response...I also felt this report was spot on in its assessment. In fact, I was pretty surprised at how strongly it tracked a lot of the thinking here....