Good News/Bad News For The Dems And Their Quest To Take Over Congress; And Why Howard Dean's Long-Term Goals May Get In The Way

The Washington Post's political blog The Fix - always a good read and particularly on Fridays - takes a look at the Senate races coming up later this year and says it appears "certain" the Democrats will make gains there.

Meanwhile, in Thursday's Post, Jonathan Weisman reports the Dems - barring a political tidal wave - still face long odds at taking over the House.

And in The New Republic, senior editor Noam Scheiber theorizes that Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's goal of making the party competitive in 50 states again may be taking resources away from the party's short-term goal of a Congressional takeover in 2006