We Democrats had better forget about 2016 and start worrying about 2014

Enough already! Whether it’s Clinton, Warren or Sanders, Democrats have a bad case of premature political ejaculation. It’s like we’re already in the middle of the 2016 presidential campaign, yet we have no declared candidate. Meanwhile, the important work of 2014 is being ignored at the Democrats’ great peril.

For Democrats, there’s too much at stake in 2014 to be worrying about 2016 now. With 36 Senate seats on the line, a shift of only six seats would mean loss of control for Democrats. In the House, Democrats need only 17 seats to get back in power. Among the 36 governorships up this year, with reapportionment on the line, Democrats have excellent prospects in Maine, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, among other states. But those opportunities could be lost with so much energy going into 2016.

As former chairman of the California Democratic Party, here’s my advice to Democrats. The best path to victory in 2016 is to focus on 2014. Hold onto your lead in the Senate. Win back the House. Take back several key governorships. Win big in 2014 — and 2016 will take care of itself.