The question asked last night and will be asked today, and probably will be asked until the new Congress meets in January -- "Is The Democratic Agenda Dead? " Well, it is dead if Democrats let it die. If Democrats fight for what we, progressives, believe in -- Then Hell No!

When the Democrats return for the so-called lame duck session, they should return in a fighting mode, and fight for Democratic and progressive values. Fight! Call those Republicans out! The 2012 campaign has already begun. Don't you think Karl Rove and his boys aren't gearing up, yesterday, for 2012? If Democrats come late to the party, as the did for the 2010 election, then the Democratic Party might as well close its doors and go out of business. If the Democrats keep half-stepping until its late in the game, Democrats will be swamped in 2012.

Mr. Obama is the blame for some of the results of the 2010 elections. He came too late to the fight. It took him too long to see that the GOP is out for one thing, and one thing only, power, so that it can serve, as slaves serve, its corporate masters. Both parties kowtow too much to corporate interests. The GOP seem to do it with such pleasure that the party leaders behave as if they live to do the bidding of the elite.

Mr. Obama needs to quit watering down, weakening, the Democratic agenda. I understand that all Presidents have to tip their hats to the elite, but he doesn't have to bow to them, and think they are going to be pleased with anything short of total submission.

And Mr. Obama needs to listen to his base. Leaving a public option out of the new health care law was inexcusable. Delaying DADT is inexcusable. Not bringing fighters on board, people with the fire of a Howard Dean is inexcusable. And compromising with people who have no interest in reform or compromise is inexcusable.