Despite the overwhelming public opinion against keeping Schiavo alive, Democrats who oppose the intervention of the Republican leadership in this case are still uncertain about how they should talk about this and how to deflect the inevitable attacks ("Congressman Smith wanted to starve Terri Schiavo to death. Can we trust Congressman Smith?"). One thing they shouldn't do is talk about "federalism" and the appropriate balance between state and federal power.

Because outside the Beltway, nobody cares about federalism. They need to talk about this as a case of government overreach into people's lives, not federal overreach into state power. They have to make the issue as personal as possible. Here's a sample: "When my grandmother reached the end of her life, we had to make some difficult choices. It was hard on everyone, but we got through it together, as a family. And the last thing we wanted was the government coming into that hospital room, to tell us that Tom DeLay had a different opinion about what we should do. It wasn't any of their business. Most of us will have to face those kinds of decisions eventually, with a grandparent, a parent, or even a spouse. When we do, we should be able to do it with our family, our doctors, and our clergy. But do you want the Republicans in Congress telling you what they think is best for your family?"

When do we reach critical mass on this and see the Democrats talking in this manner -- are they just waiting to unleash it after Terri Schiavo dies and the hue and cry from the right steps up to an even higher level of shrillness? Does someone have to get shot over this first?