How many Democratic members of Congress (and Presidential candidates) are in the thrall of corporate contributions? How many feel a common bond with the wealthy elite? Until we know this, we don't know the size of the problem. Mr. Reich is engaged in wishful thinking.

This is an advocacy-opinion piece. Reich presents strong evidence for some of his claims and suggestions, but too loosely extrapolates other claims and predictions.

A good tour of future challenges, but he is getting the cart ahead of the horse race. The election has not been won yet.

Mr. Reich makes only one assumption, which is that Democrats will win the Presidential race. That is not totally foregone but it is a reasonable assumption. Regardless of the ultimate winner, there is still a Bush mess to be cleaned up. Even if Mr. McCain is installed in the White House, the mess is there and will require much attention. Reich is right.