Moving toward the 2010 election, it is clear that Democrats are in trouble. I see two primary culprits: the economy and the fact that the right seems to be far more energized than the left at this point. The economy is going to require more time, but I suspect allowing the upper end of the Bush tax cuts to expire on the would help considerably. The difference in energy and its likely impact on voter turnout, however, has few solutions.

If we frame the question in terms of what those who want to minimize Democratic losses in the mid-term elections should be doing to promote their cause, it seems that there are at least two general answers. First, they can seek to instill fear in progressives of sufficient magnitude that they turn out to vote. Based on the nature of the junk mail I receive from assorted groups seeking to elect Democrats, this appears to be the more popular of the two approaches. The message is basically one of "vote for us because the Republicans will be even worse." That is too bad. I for one, am sick of all the fear-based appeals.

The second general approach, actually providing positive reasons why progressives should support Democratic candidates, seems far more appealing. Unfortunately, it is also much more challenging to accomplish. In some states, there may be Democratic candidates around who progressives can rally, but I suspect they are few. Even if you believe that our elected Democrats have done the best they could in Washington despite Republican obstructionism, I'd submit that their accomplishments have fallen far short of what we hoped for. Maybe some are worth supporting, but it is tough to get excited about it.

One of the things Obama did so well during his campaign was to instill hope, suggesting that we could work together to improve America. It is two years later, and some of that optimism seems to have been lost. I suppose part of the challenge facing Democrats now is how to restore it.

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