Chris, in my view your analysis is very wise.

It is always double-edged to have criticism be the dominant tone in any campaign in this time of widespread cynicism.   We need an equivalently strong forward-looking positive message.

Before the R collapse of this year, I didn't expect D's to really contend for Congress for a couple more cycles.  I believe we inevitably will come back....but circumstances are forcing us to come up to the plate before we're really ready.   Maybe we can punch the ball into a hole.  The home run will probably come in later years - an exceptional 2008 messenger, possibly.