There have been minor successes despite the bottleneck on the Hill. Contrary to popular belief the current administration has met some of their campaign promises. Their opposition has done a monumental job of making progress difficult for the administration and then leveraging popular frustration over the lack thereof. The logjam has been quite a show.

Republicans got busy mounting an opposition, and have been successful. The President has done his best as with leaders of the majority in the House and Senate, but as for the rest of the party? Well, they've either remained satisfied or pretty much MIA.

Republicans have been all over the country and media. To get their message out they weren't satisfied with merely spending time in their own districts or states. They got their butts out of their chairs and went around the country campaigning for themselves, their cause and their party.

During this period where exactly was any defense or even offense from Democrats? Who was reaching out to the grass roots? Republicans had time to work on the Hill and still spend time in their districts and those of fellow Republicans. Where were Democrats making sure their cause du jour had support?

Their big effort of 2009, health care reform, ended up about as unpopular as George W. Bush around the time it initially came to light someone had sold the country on a bill of goods regarding Iraq. But health care reform started at about 65% - 70% popularity. Those opposed stayed grinding their message out and it was everywhere. I mean most of us didn't see it in the streets of our cities or town, but that didn't keep it from being plastered all over the media. Even the worst tunes when played 50 times a day grow on people.

Perhaps because there were more ads against health care reform than Burger King commercials. Perhaps because the faces of the opposition were everywhere. If asked most people can name Republicans or famous conservatives against it. If asked who was for it besides the President, Pelosi, Reid well… they might have to call back.

That wasn't because there weren't supporters, but more because they never showed themselves. When the strategy hinges on using the popularity of just the President to push a bill through and his popularity is getting disseminated it's about that time rallying the troops just may be in order. That's when rallying behind the cause, whatever it is, just might be a smart idea.

Otherwise what exactly is the message? What mental image should people get when they think about the Democrats? When the guy who is the only face of the party is getting hammered the whole party is effectively getting nailed. At some point someone needs to start blocking. Someone else needs to step up show their face and not be afraid to get hit.

At this point if Democrats want to build support they need to get out there and get street mobile. The Tea Party is a minority party sure, but there are aspects of their message resonating with people on the left, right and center in just about every corner of the country. That's why they are ever expanding. Republicans hooked into parts of the frustration they could champion and did so effectively. Democrats never really accomplished that. They had their base, yet kept their messages limited to the Hill and local town halls. They weren't out across the nation in each other's districts making things happen. Besides passing some form of health care there was no real consensus on the message itself. They ended up gassed on their central issue of the year and panting on the side of the road while a health care industry stretch Hummer leaking money passed them by.

It's time for Democrats to build things up from the ground floor if they intend to show voters they are sincere. Right now they have a President, but no unified message. Conservatives have done a great job convincing Americans they are the Tea Party. Democrats need to refocus and get back their message of change if serious about gaining voter trust for 2010.

Accomplish some of the stated goals along with bringing jobs back under some semblance of control. If they really meant any of what they have yet to institute from the campaigns of 2006 or 2008 voices need to emerge. If Democrats can't accomplish anything what impetus do people have to vote them into office?

To read about my inspiration for this article go to www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com.