Second, share the spotlight. There’s been a lot of agonizing in recent years about the absence of any single voice for the Democratic Party. . . [L]et’s hope the new congressional poobahs can magnify their voices through cooperation, and it would also be nice if they coordinated with state and local Democrats, not to mention the Democratic National Committee as well.

Third, make it instantly clear that this will be a very different Congress. Democrats were able to seize the mantle of change in this election because it was impossible for Republicans to avoid accountability for the status quo. That’s over. Right off the bat, Democrats should take bold steps to clean up both houses of Congress, enacting ethics and lobbying reform legislation (preferably tougher than what the Democratic caucuses agreed on earlier this year). Hearings on public financing of elections would be helpful. . . And yes, Congress should finally begin exercising the oversight and investigations responsibilities the GOP abandoned—especially with respect to the Iraq disaster—with one major caveat: The congressional leadership should quietly make it clear that its own committee and subcommittee chairs (most of whom will become very energized by the unfamiliar feel of the gavel) will be equally subject to oversight, and that caucus discipline will be applied to those who go far off message in order to watch themselves on television each night.

Fourth and finally, reject the false choice between “getting something done” and “throwing anvils to the GOP.” Whenever possible, do both. . .

I can't think of a thing I disagree with in Ed's prescriptions. Let's hope they are relevant tomorrow night.