Dem Victory in Aught-Six?

Today's New York Times reports that there may be dreams of '06 Congressional victories dancing in Dems' heads:

"A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, released Wednesday night, showed that 13 months before the midterm election, 48 percent said they wanted a Democratic-led Congress, compared to 39 percent who preferred Republican control.

But for Democrats to step into the void, many strategists and elected officials say, they must offer more than a blistering critique of the Republicans in power, the regular attacks on what Democrats now describe as a 'culture of cronyism and corruption.' "

And therein lies the challenge. Democratic politicians cannot rely on the current American displeasure with Bush and Co. to carry seats in next year's Congressional elections. Now is the time to craft a message that will show real change from 'business as usual" - Daily Kos reported on Tuesday an article that appeared in the subscription-only Roll Call regarding the Democrat version of "Contract with America";

"Seeing an opening to reach voters while Republicans are beset by turmoil, House Democrats are privately planning to accelerate the timing of the release of their platform and the major policies they will promote on the campaign trail next year.

Key Democratic sources say Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other House leaders are putting the finishing touches on what arguably will be Democrats most detailed "positive" election-year agenda since the party lost power more than a decade ago. Pelosi has been coordinating with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), key Democratic strategists, advisers and outside interest groups on the policy platform as well as the party's broader 2006 message."

It's gotta happen, my friends. Let's do what we can to make it so. And make sure our representatives do the same.