For the last six years, the Dems have hemmed and hawed about how truly, they really didn't like all the stuff the Republicans were pushing through, but it wasn't the right time to raise the Republicans' ire, and they were a minority, and what can you do, really? Vote against a measure that is sure to pass just to make your conscience a matter that is on the record?

OK. Lets pretend, for a the next few months, that the last six years did not happen. Lets pretend the Democrats did not disappoint us time and time and time again. Lets pretend they were not for the Iraq war before they were against it before they were for it before they thought it was a bad idea but didn't think we should leave.

Folks, you've got a pretty clear majority in the House right now, and it's time to prove to us that you're still relevant to us. I want to see Democrats fighting every inane, stupid measure by Republicans. I want to see them doing everything in their power get us out of the Iraqi quagmire. I want to see them frustrate every privacy-invading, imperial-presidency-enabling bill in front of them, no matter how many Republicans ask us to please think about the children.

Because we're watching.

I agree wholeheartedly with the above, one item excepted. We CANNOT "pretend to forget" the Six Years' Failure. If we don't constantly remind the Democrats (and this is a Democrat speaking here, not some Green Party cooper) of what they failed to do, they won't right any of it. We won because the other side couldn't be worse, NOT through our own political cunning. The Democrats won't want to investigate, won't want to prosecute, won't want to rock the boat--but these things the must do. They also won't be able to get out of defense mode easily. Unless we keep telling they they have a majority (in at least one house if not two, and here's my fingers crossed and praise the Lord), they'll continue to vacillate when they no longer need to. The next two years are vital to the possibility of a Democratic President in 2008. If our new majority dicks around for two years, the Republicans can run on the "They've Had Two Years to Fix It!" line--and that will, despite the Bush Congress's nearly eight years of toeing the line, WORK WITH THE VOTERS. We must bite at the party's heels until they bleed, or accept destruction

I sympathize with the sentiments in these posts, and am as pleased as punch that finally--FINALLY-- there is someting to cheer about. But before we start talking about a revolution or a new 'Contract,' let's keep some perspective. This is an expected result by historical standards, and as much as we would like it to be-- it isn't a mandate for sweeping change. The Dems don't have a "pretty clear majority," it's actually a relatively modest majority, just like the Republicans' majority was. And the Senate looks like a 50/50 split. Basically, we've gone from a 50/50 tilt right to a 50/50 tilt left. That's a great change-- but if Pelosi and company try to make this into a mandate and "fight tooth and nail" against anything and everything the Republicans want to do, I guarantee you the anti-incumbent attitude that bit so many Republicans this time will do the same to the Dems in 2008.

Today's victory, great as it is, was a protest vote against Bush/Iraq, and to a lesser extent, against gridlock and incumbency. We need to remember that. Focusing on the key issue-- calling the President to account for Iraq and finding an honorable and strategically safe way out-- should be job one, and maybe the only job. If fighting tooth and nail on everything else, pushing the social agenda, etc., comes to the fore, we're going to wind up right back where we were, and quickly too. I think I saw that most of the social/cultural issue referenda like same-sex marriage, immigration, etc., pretty much all passed; and the bulk of the new Dems coming in are very centrist. Let's take one step at a time and focus on Iraq; and for heaven's sake, leave the cultural stuff alone for the timebeing.

I am happy to wake up this morning to see that there is a crack in the "reality" of Washington politics and the status quo but I too feel that we must not let the Democrats forget their complacency over the last six years.

The Democratic Party must use this to rebuild themselves to represent the people. They must reach out and become the party that builds a bridge to the near 50% that still votes red out of knee jerk reaction and NOT by behaving like Joe Lieberman either by the way. They must become a party of ideas, ideas like the American dream, a dream that has been a dream too long.

They need strong vocal LEADERSHIP that really stands for objective goals, hell there just need to be some damn goals put on the table.

Our countries intellectual infrastructure is running aground, we no longer lead the world, we're nearly last amongst industrial nations on nearly every level in education.

We need long term economic planning. If we lose all of our industry to the third world then what becomes of our industrial workforce? Work at Wal-Mart? Oh wait we have...

They need to wrap themselves in the flag and say they represent America, no longer can they let the right win that propaganda war.

We need a new deal, one with teeth and vision.

The dems lost because of the war and disgust with Washington politics and not because they have provided any solutions or vision.

Now is the time to become a party again and get some damn work done to heal this nations deep wounds and divisions otherwise we will float back into this nightmare and I fear the next time not awake.

...without the Senate. Those hate-loving, threat-spitting, brown-person-murdering ingrates will block everything, EVERYTHING they can, Just Because They Can. It's a game to them. It's power, and as long as they can wield it, they will shove it in all our faces, no matter what we say. So, like, yah, rah for the house. It means nothing without the Senate, and even then, you'd better hope we can override vetos.

Makes more sense just to spend two years impeaching the animals, because there's not way that kindness, generosity, pity and grace will overcome this mudpit as long as no one turns off the water hose.