The tale that these two stories tell is about a Democratic party that lacks the votes to revive its signature legislation (Build Back Better) and lacks the initiative or will — at least for the time being — to coalesce around an agreed-upon message they can sell to the American public.

This lack of guidance could not come at a worse time for Democrats.

There is still, of course, time to change the political environment. (We are less than 200 days away from the elections.)

But major shifts — particularly in how people perceive the relative strength or weakness of the economy — take time. There is no sign of a shift at the moment.

the point: 2022 has always been a difficult election for the Democrats due to their narrow majorities in the House and Senate. But the way the year ended — and the apparent lack of any clear message from Democrats — could portend an absolute loss for them.