NEW: Permanent Minority vs. Towards the Majority

My latest "Permanent Minority vs. Towards the Majority" section in the Nation about what the Democrats are doing to help and hurt their chances to regain the congressional majority:

PERMANENT MINORITY: Eighteen Senate Democrats voted with all Republicans to pass a bill limiting citizens' ability to bring class-action suits against abusive corporations. Barack Obama, touted as a future progressive leader, voted for the measure, despite its being attacked by civil rights organizations, labor unions, consumer groups, state prosecutors and environmental advocates.

TOWARD THE MAJORITY: Senator Harry Reid staked out a strong principled position against the class-action bill, saying, "It limits corporate accountability at a time of rampant corporate scandals" and it is "one of the most unfair, anticonsumer proposals to come before the Senate in years."