More outstanding advice for Democrats

Hank Sheinkopf in March:

DOBBS: Hank, from the left.

SHEINKOPF: From the left, if I'm a Democrat, I get out of the line fire and let these guys keep stepping all over themselves. The best trick the Democrats have tactically is to let the Republicans keep governing, because every day they govern, it's going to drive up the numbers for the Democrats.

DOBBS: Well, I don't know if that's fair because when you look at Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt saying that the bird flu is on its way, way and put tuna fish and powdered milk under your bed, I mean ...

FUND: He's from Utah. He's just deferring to the home folks.

DOBBS: Well, he may be, but shouldn't we be expecting a little more here? Or is this simply deflection? I mean, what in the world is going on?

FUND: I think if you read his whole speech, you'll understand it in context, but as a sound bite it's awful.

DOBBS: It is awful, and ...

SHEINKOPF: We live in a land of sound bites. They've got to wake up. Every time they open their mouths, they make it easier for Democrats. Democrats just need to stand there, smile, let them keep doing what they are doing.

And today:

DOBBS: Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf.

Hank, let's start with you. Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, how are they doing? Let's start with the Democrats tonight.

HANK SHEINKOPF, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Not so great. I mean, you know, this is all a mess, and people are standing by hoping that there will be some electoral gain, rather than taking principled stances to move things along.

DOBBS: What in the world are they thinking about?

SHEINKOPF: Well, sometimes the quest for power overrides the need for major policy changes. And frankly, we're in an election year, so it's not unusual.

If the Democrats were not the minority, the Republicans were the minority, and they had a shot at taking back the chamber, they would be behaving the same way, frankly.

DOBBS: Do you think Pelosi and Reid are bolstering those chances, or do you think they're interfering with those chances?

SHEINKOPF: Chances get bolstered by what the political campaigns look like. There are a lot of seats in play, and anything can happen.

DOBBS: Very politically well analyzed, I thought.