DEMOCRATIC COMEBACK MOSTLY A MEDIA CREATION? That’s what Stuart Rothenberg says. “2010 isn’t 2008 or 2006 or even 2004. Democratic candidates need to go into the elections at or above the 50 percent mark in most districts. ‘Surging’ to 45 percent of the vote simply isn’t enough.” Well, we’ll know soon.

Related: Hotline: The Surprising Democratic Firewall. “Actions speak louder than words. That’s why Democratic control of the House is looking more tenuous by the day. As the party begins to build its firewall to prevent a GOP takeover, top strategists are working to salvage seats that few considered Republican pickup opportunities just a few months ago. . . . This week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began running ads in seats held by Reps. Bill Delahunt (Mass.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Phil Hare (Ill.), Bill Foster (Ill.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Sanford Bishop (Ga.), and John Salazar (Colo.). In each district, Democrats won re-election by significant, if not overwhelming, margins in 2008. Now, Democrats view every one of those seats as endangered.”