The activists in the Democratic party have had more chutzpah than its leaders for a long time. But to get legislative change in place, it would sure help to get more from the leaders. No matter how much separation Democrats get in the election, it seems that the advantage is always squandered. We're going hat in hand to ask for policy changes when the votes in the national government are more than 60% Democratic!

The President is going harder now at the issue of health reform. Maybe the more forceful approach will work. Cut to the chase - get to a vote.

As the grassroots, we all have to keep finding ways to get the Democratic message to broader audiences, and put pressure on the leadership, and on the media that exaggerates the clash every time. It's a sad situation, but there's no choice beyond pressing on.