DNC tamping down expectations?

The DNC sent out an email tonight pointing out that the GOP wasn't always so eager to portray off-year elections as indications of a national trend.

NRCC Talking Point: “The 2001 Off-Year Elections Have No Bearing On Next Year’s Mid-Term Elections. These Races Revolved Around Local Issues And Local Candidates. There Were No Discernable National Trends.” NRCC Talking Points: “The 2001 off-year elections have no bearing on next year's mid-term elections. These races revolved around local issues and local candidates. There were no discernable national trends.” [Hotline, 11/7/01]

RNC Comm. Director: “It’s Laughable To Suggest That This Has Any National Implications.” Hotline noted that, GOPers “downplayed the two defeats.” RNC comm. dir. Trent Duffy: “It's laughable to suggest that this has any national implications.” [Chicago Tribune, 11/7/01]

“A Bush Political Adviser Says The Current Campaigns [For Governor In Virginia And New Jersey] Turn On Local Issues, While National Conditions Will Color Next Year’s Results.” The Wall Street Journal reported that, “Republicans say a Democratic sweep of the off-year races for Virginia and New Jersey governors and New York City mayor wouldn't presage next year's crucial midterm elections to control Congress. A Bush political adviser says the current campaigns turn on local issues, while national conditions will color next year's results.” [Wall Street Journal, 11/2/01]

Etc. etc. The obvious implication is that Democrats want to prevent potential losses tonight from being spun into stories warning of a GOP landslide in 2010. We'll see how succssful they are--or if those potential losses materialize--rather soon...