It hasn't exactly been the summer of love "” at least not for Democrats.

After enjoying a welcome break, I've been struggling to find a way of summarizing what's happened. Writing anew seems depressing enough that I've decided to take a brief tour though my earlier thoughts, adding a bit of contemporary commentary along the way. (Personally, I hate people quoting themselves, and no doubt you do too "” so I beg your indulgence.)

Shortly after election 2008 I warned against "a creeping triumphalism in some party circles,"� which had devolved "into tentative talk of realignment and permanent Democratic majorities."� Though it seems laughable today, two years ago, too many Democrats celebrated what they expected were...