"My prediction would be that the dems win big in the mid-terms and narrowly win the WH if they learn to keep their mouth shut and let Bush win or lose on his own hook."

There is no sign of this.
Recently, we had the entire MSM establishment caving on this cartoon issue- with Gore and Clinton leading the charge. And far as I know screaming Dean still leads Democrats as campaign chairman and it's probably too late to change horses now.
My prediction is Dean will attempt to throw tons of money at internet as key "plan" to win back the House. And it will fail- fail badly. The net will eat him alive.

I predict this cartoon foolishness will result in Dems losing 06 similar to the Mass. judge ruling on gay marriage affected Bush's re-election. All that needs to happen is for the Dems to play this issue badly {Gore and Clinton- and probably Carter are already doing this} and for the Republicans to not to make too many mistakes and play it modestly well {I haven't seen much on Rep side of this- but letting the Dems hang themselves first is a good idea}.

This cartoon kerfuffle is also big mistake for the Terrorists- and in war you only get few big mistakes before you lose the war. It's awakening Europe to the problem and much more importantly it's getting lots of Muslims talking.