House Democratic leaders issued lawmakers three sets of talking points that included one package of new legislation, a collection of modest bills designed to revive the manufacturing sector. Senate Democrats have not exactly jumped to embrace those proposals, instead suggesting that between now and Election Day a more detailed agenda might be forthcoming.

“I think we’re working towards it. To my way of thinking — jobs, the economy and helping the middle class stretch their paycheck — but there are other issues out there. We have to fill in the details,” Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday…

There’s one clear area of unity: attacking Republicans. If the three sets of talking points issued to House Democrats are any measure, the majority expects to run a fall campaign that is about two-thirds negative and one-third positive.

One talking point carried a theme of “we can’t go back,” a reference to the Bush White House’s stewardship of the economy, and another dealt with “protecting Social Security.”