BD at Tacitus had a good "suggestions for Democrats" list that wasn't super-patronizing and that I basically agreed with. There was one thing that he left off the list, though he's certainly aware it's a problem, that I think could be important for the Dems. That's Congressional reform, especially countering the gerrymandering epidemic.

Excerpt from my remarks to BD:

Ken [White] has once again reinforced my personal hobby-horse, which is that Congress is in desparate need of reform. Much more so to my way of thinking than the judiciary, because critical checks and balances have all but disappeared. After the Dems trouncing (which was certainly predictable) in the Senate, and the clear message from the current House leadership that the House won't change parties in your or my lifetimes, I think the Dems should put Congressional reform on the top of the populist part of a "contract with America" (small caps please).

Seriously -- What do they have to lose? The current House and Senate leadership is a splendid and juicy target that can attract opposition from around the political arena. This wouldn't be a Left thing at all. These guys are so easy to turn into cartoons of people you love to hate since they're practically cartoons already. And it wouldn't be a left-right or religious-secular divide. It would be a goo-goo thing like campaign finance reform that atttracts support of moderates and "classic" conservatives (the Cato-type crowd), changes which issues are getting attention, and puts the other side on the defensive.

Congressional reform wouldn't be something that, on its own, motivated the masses to go to the voting booths -- campaign finance reform never has. But it could be part of communicating an overall party image of bipartisan white hats willing to buck the system, looking out for the peoples' welfare, while characterizing one's opponents as corrupt black hats distorting representative government.

The Dems have been unwilling to challenge the status quo. They thought they could win back influence under the old system. It's clear they can't. So it's time to try to change the status quo. And hey, a change would be better for all of us in the long run as Ken's condemnation of one-party government points out.