Dem brain sprain produces lame thinking

Sometimes, when the Democratic Party's big thinkers think a little too hard, they put themselves at risk of brain sprain.

The result, of course, is a lame brain, which produces lame-brained ideas.

Brain sprain is the only explanation I can come up with for the theory, outlined by reporter Adam Nagourney in Sunday's NY Times, that the Democrats might be better off if they lose the Congressional elections in November.

Perhaps there is a time when it is better to lose than win, although I don't seem to be able to think of one. It is certainly not the way I play politics. I shouldn't even say "play." It's not a game; it is serious business, with consequences that have a real impact on the lives of real people.

But the Times reports:

... But here is a slightly heretical question, being asked only partly in jest right now: Is it really in the best interest of the Democratic Party to win control of the House and Senate in November? Might the party's long-term fortunes actually be helped by falling short?

As strange as it might seem, there are moments when losing is winning in politics. Even as Democrats are doing everything they can to win, and believe that victory is critical for future battles over real issues, some of the party's leading figures are also speculating that November could represent one of those moments.

The theory is that if Democrats win a slim majority, even in one house, they will have the responsibility to do something and maybe even be held accountable. Far better, the argument goes, to let the GOP sink even further into the quicksand until 2008, when Dems could win both a majority in Congress and the presidency.

Someone is thinking way too hard.

I'm with Vince Lombardi on this one: Winning is the only thing.

Having even slim control of only one house of Congress would give Democrats some leverage on issues -- at least to stop the worst of the right-wing agenda, and at best to actually be able to achieve some policy gains, perhaps with the help of some rational Republicans who get dragged along now by their leadership because the GOP have all the power.

Political fortunes change. There is an ebb and flow in politics, they say. But sometimes there is a tidal wave that you don't see coming. Who knows what the next two years will bring, or what unexpected events will shape the American political scene? There are no sure things, and betting that two more years of GOP control will bring more of the same sort of ineptitude and loss of public confidence that the last two years have produced may be a losing gamble.

Democrats should focus on winning. Get the bird in the hand, and let Dick Cheney shoot the one in the bush.

The Times article makes it sound as though Democratic victories are assured in November. I wouldn't bet the farm on that, either. The polling numbers are spectacular, but Nagourney, high up in his article, makes another point Dems would do well to remember:

Election Day is six months away, and the party has lost many a winning hand.

This is a time for Democrats to keep their eyes on the prize, not to engage in the kind of smart talk that ends up -- if I may pile cliche upon cliche -- snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Let's win. Everything we can.

UPDATE: Jonathan Singer at MyDD weighs in.