I don't have much to add about the election except it'll be another 'throw the bums out' contest. Instead I'll talk about governing. There are two related changes the Democrats need to make in how they operate to truly become a governing party.
The first is to restore their understanding of key lever of power that doesn't require a majority or legislation. That is, real, genuine Congressional oversight over corporate power. Actual investigations to uncover information on how our systems work are critical.
The reality is that corporate lobbyists don't win because of bribery or campaign donations. They dominate because they have a monopoly of information on how industries work. Think of the members asking Zuckerberg to work with them on social media regulation.
The second related change is that Democratic leaders need to radically decentralize. Let committee chairs and subcommittee chairs and task forces do whatever they want. Don't move everything through Pelosi.
The biggest problem with the House is that Pelosi/Hoyer/Clyburn thinks they are in charge of everything. They must whip votes and look out for vulnerable members. When there is caucus anger at being micro-managed they created a new useless leadership position. Let it go.
Democratic Party incumbents are oriented towards the needs of those they represent. There are basically no Democrats who represent rural areas so they didn't notice the opioid epidemic until 2016 or so. This is bad. There will be some new rural Dems this time. Decentralize power.
Also give a class to members on how to do good questions and answers in committee hearings. Most members aren't good at it. They trip over themselves, editorialize instead of asking questions. Many could acquire this skill if it were taught.
It's also not that members are trying to get attention. You get a ton of attention with a good Q&A, far more than with some clumsy editorializing. They just don't know how to ask simple, penetrating questions. It's a skill you can learn.
