Is the Democrat Majority at risk really?

[Anonymous]

I know the news follows the news, and once they latch on to a theme the run it for all it is worth. I am seeing an avalanche of press quoting Democrats sincerely worried about losing their majorities in the fall. The Hill and WSJ for example today, quoting insiders like Begala.

Presuming the polls are an accurate reflection of today, what course will best reverse the erosion of electoral support before November? Health care legislation seems a sure loser right now. Why keep beating that dead horse? Harry Reid took the jobs bill away from the Finance committee - another sure bet to PO uncommitted voters. What is the best course now?

[jsteele]

Democrats need to begin delivering. They need to deliver healthcare reform and they need to deliver a jobs bill. Reid was correct in taking the so-called jobs bill away from Baucus because it was laden with a lot of unrelated things such as the estate tax. Voters elected Obama in part because of his promise of healthcare reform. Congressional Dems (and to some extent Obama) have allowed reform to be defined by Republicans for over a year. Now they need to pass something concrete so that voters can see something real rather than hear nothing but Republican smoke screens about what is included in reform. The upcoming summit will be a good step in that direction.

If Dems go to the voters saying, "we tried by Republicans prevented us from doing anything" they may be factually correct, but they will get their butts kicked. If they can go to the voters with a list of accomplishments, they will do just fine.

[Anonymous]

I'm not buying Jeff's argument - I think pushing health care will put the nails in the coffin. There would have to be an amazing PR turn around to get a majority behind it.