After W it'll be Jeb, and no chance for any other candidate. If not, then it'll be a Bush crony. So what the Bushes think will be Republican policy like it or not. The Bushes are the dogs in the manger.

The Democrats need to play the role of conservative, because no conservative can get the Republican nomination. Dean would be good for this because he has the record of being fiscally conservative. It will depend though on what candidate Republicans can hold their nose and vote for in sufficient numbers.

I think the Democrats need to make the equivalent of Gingrich's Contract on America and spell out commitments to a fiscally sound policy leading up to the retirement of the baby boomers in about 7 years time. Agree to do all the things the conservative rebels in the Congress are calling for.

Tax rises for the wealthy will be an inevitable part of their platform but they should commit to not spending it on anything but deficit reduction. Incremental steps to universal health care is going to be part of their platform no matter who is nominated.