Surfing the National Wave to Success in November

Howard Dean wants to nationalize the midterm elections this year by capitalizing on President Bush's low approval numbers and discontent with Republicans among the general public.

From the CQPolitics.com blog:

Dean, who met with reporters at a Wednesday breakfast organized by the Christian Science Monitor, conceded that "a national wave is necessary" for his party to win congressional majorities in this November’s elections. Dean said that there are two conditions for such a wave to occur: that people "want change" — which Dean said is borne out by polling data — and that the Democratic Party "has to be seen as the vehicle for change."

...

"[Republicans] can’t do it," Dean contended, noting that the GOP has had complete control of the federal government for most of the presidency of George W. Bush. "They can’t get out of the responsibility that they have for all the things that aren’t going the way they should be in America."

Howard stressed that he wants every Democrat candidate across the country to emphasize six major points that make up the party's unified agenda:

1. honesty and openness in government operations;
2. a strong national defense;
3. promoting American jobs through energy independence;
4. building a health care system that “works for everybody";
5. strengthening public education; and
6. promoting retirement security.

Howard also said that "this national agenda will include a "values piece" that probably will be unveiled in September."

Other topics Howard discussed:

• Declined to speculate about the 2008 presidential race, in which Dean described himself as the “referee” in a large field of likely and possible contenders. Dean said that he was focused on this November’s elections, in which Democrats must make net gains of 15 seats in the House and six seats in the Senate to win majorities. “I’m really focused on 2006. I want to win in 2006. I think we can take the House back, I think we may — we’re certainly going to pick up seats in the Senate, and we could possibly take the Senate back,” he said.

• Touted his party’s chances in Ohio, where Republicans are on the defensive amid questions about the ethical behavior of Gov. Bob Taft, Rep. Bob Ney and other members of the state GOP. Dean noted that Rep. Ted Strickland, the party’s pick for the open governor’s seat, and Rep. Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, face no serious opposition in the May 2 Democratic primary. Dean touted Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, who is challenging Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce in the Columbus-area 15th District.*

• Accused Republicans of trying to use immigration as a “wedge issue” in this election and also announced a DNC Spanish-language radio ad campaign that calls for a “tough and smart” overhaul of immigration laws.

*CQPolitics is also reporting that EMILY's List has endorsed Mary Jo Kilroy and Kirsten Gillibrand, a lawyer who is challenging John Sweeney in New York's 20th Congressional District. Read the entire story.