Heck, even George 28% Bush is getting his way on just about everything with 49 GOP senators.

Oftentimes, many more voters vote in Presidential Election years than Midterms.  But if they're not excited about the Presidential Candidates, there's a threat of those numbers going down (a la 1972 and McGovern) and whatever Dem wins we have being muted, somewhat.

I don't know if the historic nature of Obama's candidacy will be enough to lift him across the finish line into the White House in light of all the baggage via flip-flopping and the inevitable unfortunate info we'll undoubtedly learn come September-October about his "past" or what-have-you.  Add to that the eventual knee-capping of the Dem for the Republican from the Media and people may be turned off come November.  

For many voters, it's not enough that he's the first black candidate running.  He's going to have to show he'll be better in Office than McCain and, so far, he's failing miserably.

Basically false.

Obama's opposition to universal healthcare means that the likelihood of a universal healthcare bill reaching his desk is close to zero.

Sausage gets made in the Senate, but big new entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid have always been authored by the executive branch.

I, too, think that this year will be favorable for the Democratic Party in terms of seats gained in the House and Senate; but, time and again, I have watched many of them vote for legislation that was antithetical to my political positions and personal values, so now I don't get my hopes up too high anymore. At first, I was so excited about the big Dem win in 2006, but it didn't take very long for me to recognize that both the House and Senate were not going to capitalize on the many opportunities available to the Majority party. I know, the Republicans proved to be an effective Minority, but I frequently ask myself and others why the Dems can't execute such clever maneuvers--Majority or Minority?

And now, Obama, after only a few weeks as the presumptive nominee, starts turning his sights to the Right. I just don't know where I fit politically anymore, and that's very disconcerting. I've voted for Democrats--no Republicans--since my first vote in ??; let's just say a long time ago. (Usually I'm not sensitive about my age but tomorrow's my birthday, so I guess that explains my hesitancy to talk about age.) I just don't feel comfortable with many of the votes, actions, and decisions made by the Dems in Congress as well as the Party leaders. I'm quite a bit further Left than most Dems I know, yet I know that I haven't moved any further Left over time; it's the Democratic Party that's changed.

I think Charlie Cook's "visions" have been enhanced by some of Kdog's favorite.

Now why am I this bold?  Because the Democrats have won three special elections this year in heavily Republican seats.  The public is more disgruntled than ever.  The public is in the mood for the Democrats.  But more importantly is the money issue.  The DSCC and DCCC have significantly outraised their Republican counterparts.  They have a huge cash advantage.  And because of Obama's massive fundraising edge, the RNC's cash is going to go into helping McCain.  I would assume that pretty much all of it is.  They know that the presidency is their one shot left.  So even if McCain does defeat Obama, the Republicans will likely see massive defeats anyway at the legislative level.

Let's look at Ohio.  According to the latest SUSA poll there, Obama leads 48-46 and according to the latest Rasmussen, McCain leads 44-43.  This polling shows us that Obama could potentially lose this state.  However, there are a number of GOP held congressional districts with large black populations like OH-1.  Let's say Obama loses Ohio but does so with a record turnout of African Americans.  That turnout could propel the Democrats to take OH-1 even as they fail to take the state.