At the same time, some Democratic strategists are wondering whether control of the House might play into the Republicans' hands in 2008. They figure that Democrats won't be able to do much to advance their agenda, but will give Republicans a foil and an excuse for their own failures. This could end up helping Republicans keep the White House in 2008 and possibly retake control of the House.
On the other hand, strategists say, winning a few seats this fall, but not enough for control, might be optimum for the Democrats. They would bloody the Republicans, embolden the Democratic base and put them in a better position to win it all in 2008 -- the White House and Congress.
But even that possibility worries some Democrats. They fear that retaking the White House before the Iraq War is resolved will force them to do all the dirty work of cleaning up the mess. They worry that the Democratic Party could end up with all the blame for a war it didn't start in the same way Republicans ended up with most of the blame for Vietnam.
Other Democrats worry that the fiscal disaster Republicans have created will require politically unpopular tax increases and spending cuts during the next president's term. They note that the first baby boomers will qualify for Social Security in 2008 and Medicare in 2011. Better to let the Republicans fix this problem, too, before regaining power, some Democrats argue.
Undoubtedly, the vast majority of Democrats think that if they can regain power, they should. It's hard to win by losing in politics. Nevertheless, there are those in both parties who always think it is better to lose for principle than win, and sometimes they can make a difference.
A more important concern for both parties has to do with turnout, which is a function of voter intensity in off-year elections. Republicans took control of Congress in 1994 mainly because so many Democrats sat out the election. Since it is mainly the ideologues that vote in such elections and since turnout is lower than in presidential elections, each party's wings are more crucial to the outcome.
In the end, the election may turn on which party's base is less dispirited this year.