Why Bush Fears the 2006 Election

I don't really know the odds of Democrats taking one or both houses of Congress. I think Democrats can make major gains but only if the American people are paying attention. And if they understand the stakes.

Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo nails the fundamental issue that terrifies Bush if the Democrats gain control of even one house:

This is the issue. Talk of impeachment, real or play-acted, is beside the point. Even having their hand pushed on Iraq is to them, I believe, a matter of far secondary importance. The key is subpoena power.

Little of what's happened in the last five years would have been possible were it not for the fact that there was no political institution with subpoena power in Washington not under the control of the White House....

The issue of 2006 above all else is holding George W. Bush accountable. Nothing will change, nothing will improve, no issue can be honestly discussed until Bush is held accountable by the voters. It will be up to the American voter to ignore the ads and hundreds of millions of dollars Republicans will be spending to change the subject. It will be up to the voter to ignore last second October surprises from an administration with no credibility. If, for example, the price of gasoline drops in mid-September, just assume the price will soar within weeks after the midterm elections. It will be up to the voter to be vigilant against the games, the promises, and cons of the current Republican leadership and that includes Bush.