Easier to criticize than to lead

Not more than a week after I complained that democrats need to have policy instead of whining than the Washington Post runs an article saying that Democrats appear to be dropping the political ball, given the recent climate of opportunities:

News about GOP political corruption, inept hurricane response and chaos in Iraq has lifted Democrats' hopes of winning control of Congress this fall. But seizing the opportunity has not been easy, as they found when they tried to unveil an agenda of their own.

Democratic leaders had set a goal of issuing their legislative manifesto by November 2005 to give voters a full year to digest their proposals. But some Democrats protested that the release date was too early, so they put it off until January. The new date slipped twice again, and now House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) says the document will be unveiled in "a matter of weeks."

Some Democrats fear that the hesitant handling is symbolic of larger problems facing the party in trying to seize control of the House and Senate after more than a decade of almost unbroken minority status. Lawmakers and strategists have complained about erratic or uncertain leadership and repeated delays in resolving important issues.

The conflict goes well beyond Capitol Hill. The failure of congressional leaders to deliver a clear message has left some Democratic governors deeply frustrated and at odds with Washington Democrats over strategy.

I'm shocked, shocked that there's gambling going on here! But wait for the best part...

Party leaders, for example, have yet to decide whether Democrats should focus on a sharply negative campaign against President Bush and the Republicans, by jumping on debacles such as the administration's handling of the Dubai port deal -- or stress their own priorities and values.

And in the process, maybe lead? It would be exciting for this to happen, but we all know it's a lot easier to sling mud than to build a house. Here's the golden opportunity, with so many things going against the current administration, and I'm taking wagers on how the democrats will blow it by infighting. Sometimes, it's just painful to watch.