A Democratic Senate Narrative Comes Together

In the wake of the Massachusetts Brown out -- or -- hastened by that event -- the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wants their Senate candidate to emphasize two main points on the campaign trail: pin down Republican opposition to a tax on banks -- and pin down Republican support of the Citizens United decision, which would open the door to increased corporate influence in American elections. Republicans know they've got to figure out a response, as Glen Bolger, an architect of Bob McDonnell's victory in Virginia, has attested.

Most of President Obama's agenda has united the Republicans in opposition, but a bank tax is one of the few things with the potential to drive a wedge through the Republican ranks.

"I think there is going to be a lot of pressure on them," Bolger says, "because the push-back message, it's nowhere near as strong as the Democrat attack. The banks are in a tough spot on winning this policy fight."

73 percent of Americans say that Washington hasn't done enough to regulate Wall Street, according to the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. This is one reason why Democrats plan to schedule a series of votes on campaign finance -- and to try to bait Republicans into voting yes. This is one way for Democrats -- in power -- to run against powerful interests.

Take a look at some local news headlines and judge for yourself as whether the DSCC has been successful:

NH POLITICAL REPORT: Hodes blasts Wall Street banks false claims on bailout repayment fee

RALEIGH NEWS AND OBSERVER: Marshall launches petition over banking reform

BOSTON HERALD: Coakley hits Brown on bank stance

WALL STREET JOURNAL: GOP Faces a Tough Balancing Act

ST. LOUIS POST-DISTPATCH: Supreme Court ruling prompts Carnahan to tape fireside chat

DENVER POST: Colorado GOP to sue to lift campaign money limits

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Supreme Court ruling expected to make Illinois Senate race costlier, uglier

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER: Expect an 'onslaught' of Ohio political ads this fall, thanks to Supreme Court on corporations and free speech

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/01/a-democratic-senate-narrative-comes-together/35015/