Great job Chris!

What the poll has confirmed is that the electorate is deeply divided on partisan lines. There is no common ground. As we should expect.

The small government and keep government out of my private life Republicans support their party's positions irrespective of their so called "ideology". This party strength should not be taken lightly by the Dems.

All this poll has done has reinforced my conviction that the Dems need to do a few things:

1. Play strongly to their base. This "middle of the road" no conviction waffling only demonstrates their weakness. They aint winning anyone over.

2. Attack the Repubs incompetence and culture of corruption. They have failed at fighting terrorists and failed at home.

3. Paint the Repubs as extremists.

4. Frame the Dems positions as Swopa has done under the banner of common sense and competence.

5. Focus on Iraq, terrorism, individual rights. Traditional Dem positions have to take a back seat.

I believe the Dems will get many of the Independents if they can be convinced that they actually stand for something with passion because their views are more aligned with the Dems than Repubs.

But the Dems need to realize the Repub base is solid, organized and incredibly disciplined. This poll proves that in spades. Bottom line is that the Repubs are not easy to defeat as their core is very strong, deeply partisan and will fight hard.

Unless the Dems base is equally well organized and unified under a fighting theme, the 2006 mid-terms will be a replay of 2004. So close yet so far in terms of outcome. There is not much time for the Dems leadership to get this. Max 2 months.