Some Democrats argue that a Republican-led Congress will provide more of a contrast than before, and they will be ready to capitalize on any poor performances in upcoming political campaigns.
“No longer will there be a question of who’s running Washington,” said the Democratic leadership aide. “Republicans will only be able to blame themselves for what can and cannot be passed.”
Still, Democrats are in need of a strategy that doesn’t rest on hoping Republicans fail, especially if they hope to turn out voters and gain back old ones in the next election. Pushing legislation while in the minority is much more challenging, however.
“There’s a debate that’s going to occur either in public or behind closed doors as Democrats adjust to their new role in the minority next year,” says Jim Manley, a former aide to Sen. Harry Reid, the soon-to-be minority leader. “There are going to be Democrats who are going to demand as hard a line as possible, but there’s also some Democrats who are going to want to put points on the board.”
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