The whiff of defeat or of hopes dashed

Today's hilarious front-page New York Times headline:

Some Democrats Are Sensing Missed Opportunities

The article begins:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — Democrats are heading into this year's elections in a position weaker than they had hoped for, party leaders say, stirring concern that they are letting pass an opportunity to exploit what they see as widespread Republican vulnerabilities.

And here is the face of the Democratic Party, the face they chose: Nancy Pelosi.

Ms. Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, did not dispute that argument [that they need a program]. But, pointing to the Democratic strategy in defeating Mr. Bush's Social Security proposal last year, she said there was no rush.

"People said, 'You can't beat something with nothing,'" she said, arguing that the Democrats had in fact accomplished precisely that this year. "I feel very confident about where we are."

Got that? You can beat something with nothing. If I were a Democrat, I'd ask for my money back.