Dems: Better to Lose than to Win?

The New York Times has an interesting article by Adam Nagourney that suggests that the Democrats might have a better chance to sweep the table in 2008 if they do not win control of the House and Senate this coming November.

Adam also gives Nancy Pelosi a semi-sideswipe:

"....gives them freedom to be critics. There's a certain liberating aspect of being in the minority in the short term, but I don't recommend it in the long term."

Another worry is whether some Democrats would use their power in what could be perceived as payback against Republicans. Party leaders like Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, have talked of investigations into allegations of malfeasance across all parts of the Bush administration.

Some Democrats argue that such investigations are long overdue in order to expose and correct a pattern of abuses by the administration. But others differ.

"Revenge — that's what we have to avoid," said Joe Andrews, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, adding that it's dangerous to talk "about what are you going to do to the guys you beat, as opposed to what are you going to do for the people."

"If the first thing that happens is a series of investigations, or committee restructurings, it will clearly sour people on the party and make it more difficult to win in 2008," he said. "As a practical matter would Democrats be able to restrain themselves?"

Democrats and self-restraint? Don't bet on it with terminal cases like John Conyers and other prospective committee chairmen full of bile saved up over the decade since 1994 when they lost their House majority. Nagourney is not a Pelosi fan, anyway:

The new Democratic leaders will also find themselves under new scrutiny. On "Meet the Press" last Sunday, Ms. Pelosi, who would become speaker if Democrats take back the House, came across as tentative and halting when questioned about her party's plans. Even though Ms. Pelosi enjoys notable support in her party, her performance was panned even by fellow Democrats. "I was screaming at the TV as if it were Bush being interviewed," wrote Stephen Kaus, a lawyer and contributor to huffingtonpost.com, a liberal blog.

My guess might be that the Dems will win back the House this Fall, but Pelosi and Co. will exhibit such amateurish behavior that 2008 might see the House retaken by the Republicans after a refreshing time-out to relocate the goalposts.