Idea for Democrats: Midterm Convention

I don't deny that a display of Democratic unity could help swing the momentum towards recapturing Congress, but I think a "midterm convention" (as suggested by Walter Cronkite) could be a suicidal move.

Finally, after almost 12 years, when Congress might be within our grasp, is there anything the GOP would relish more than a nationally broadcast, 15-round slugfest between the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Leadership Council? (For this bout, I'd cast Howard Dean and Hillary Clinton in the roles of Frazier and Foreman.) One of the reasons that the GOP has been able to gain the kind of hold that they have is because they are able to put on the appearance of unity (although taking a "lie, cheat or steal to win" philosophy can't hurt). Yes, we should definitely gather, talk, and come up with a stategy for '06, but the real benefit will come from the results of that process, not in the fact that we made the process public.

There will be no nationwide candidate on the ballot in '06 and there's no reason to act as if there will be. Every day, it's looking more and more like it will be ours to win or lose and the greater wisdom is to fight at the local and state level. That's where the decisions will take place. Everywhere a Republican is running, we should be looking for someone like Paul Hackett, especially against those incumbents who are have tied their futures to the administration. If your Representative or Senator is in a safe position, (as mine are) pick a neighboring district or state where there is an incumbent Republican, and work to defeat them. That's how we can take back Congress.