San Diego, California (CNN) -- When exactly did the donkey become an endangered species? Democrats had big victories in recent years, taking back control of both houses of Congress in 2006 and the White House in 2008. And, in response to those defeats, Republicans seemed to be wandering in the wilderness. Unsure of whom to be, GOP strategists have been wasting time locked in a completely unconstructive debate over whether to do more outreach or get back to the basics of conservatism. (It's not as if you can't do both those things.) Today, Republicans are still lost in the woods. But suddenly, things look even bleaker for Democrats, who seem as if they're headed off in a dozen different directions.
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Two Democratic senators dropped their bids for re-election this week
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Ruben Navarrette says suddenly the Democrats look more lost than the Republicans
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He says the nation is worried that White House, Congress are trying to do too much
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Obama's statement on terror plot didn't do enough to reassure Americans, he says
Americans
That might have convinced more @placeholder that Obama and everyone who works for him understand that, in this deadly game of counterterrorism, you have to catch every possible threat.
Republicans
GOP
Republicans
The @placeholder may not be in the best shape, and it can still be its own worst enemy.
Republicans
GOP
Republicans
And yet, @placeholder look pretty good compared to Democrats, whose moves have been even more questionable.
Democrats
Democratic
Democrats
And yet, Republicans look pretty good compared to @placeholder, whose moves have been even more questionable.
Republicans
GOP
Republicans
In that survey, 40 percent of those questioned say the United States would be better off if Democrats ran Congress while 39 percent feel things would be better if @placeholder ran Congress.
Democrats
Democratic
Democrats
Just a few months earlier, in August, @placeholder had enjoyed a 10-point advantage over Republicans.
Republicans
GOP
Republicans
Just a few months earlier, in August, Democrats had enjoyed a 10-point advantage over @placeholder.