June 2008’s conventional storyline: the religious right is dead, the religious left is growing, the Republicans are cratering, the Democrats will win the White House. It is possible that all four of those things are true. But take a look at the latest polling on Congressional Democrats. It isn’t pretty. Their job approval ratings are below 50%, that huge lead they had in public sentiment over Republicans is gone. True they are doing better than President Bush but that should be cold comfort.

Things are setting up perfectly for the resurrection of the religious right – the potential nomination of a Clinton, the fact that the media has generally pronounced them dead, the organizing that they continue to do out of view, the lethargy and lack of leadership from Democrats. Look for a big Republican day in November 2008 unless there are dramatic changes from the Democrats – a book on leadership is in order for them.