Continuing the theme of picking real and tangible issues for Democratic campaigns: imagine a candidate running on the issue of lowering credit card costs. How many voters in Red State America would strongly consider electing a Democrat if it meant the cost of their credit cards would go down? How many swing voters would be swung by such an appeal? Most importantly, how many economically-struggling disenfranchised citizens would take the time to register and vote if they were promised an end to 28% or 29% interest rates? These are questions the Democratic party needs to seriously consider as it wonders how to motivate voters to get to the polls.

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You've got to hand it to Republicans, they sure know how to demagogue. The Senate spent this week forcing votes on GOP lost causes. First up was the gay marriage amendment, then came repealing the estate tax. and waiting in the wings is a flag-burning amendment. Lefties everywhere have decried these as cheap political stunts designed to generate campaign fodder for the fall midterms. They're missing the point. Sure, these forced votes are cynical political hackery. The real question is: why can't Democrats manage to do the same?

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Just to inform everyone: I will be on vacation all week long. There's an off chance that I might write something new on Thursday or Friday, but it is unlikely, so please don't be disappointed if I don't manage to.
Instead of new columns this week, I dug way back into the misty shrouds of [...]

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