The biggest problem the Democrats in Congress face this year is the perpetuation of the meme that they are weak and completely ineffectual. My suggestion for them is that they completely rebrand and slavishly repeat and enact the following mantra "Democrats: Getting it Done."
It is completely disingenuous for Obama and the Democrats to run on the slogan of "Change." They can no longer run against G.W. Bush - they are the ones in charge now, they are the status quo, so they can no longer push change. What they need to prove is that the Republicans are the party of no and that it is the Democrats who get things done. Obama also needs to prove that he is a man of action.
First, pass.the.damn (healthcare).bill as cleanly and quickly as possible. Then, pass the rest of their agenda in small manageable bills, ONE A WEEK. (I don't know much about the legislative process, but if it could be done I think it would be a fantastic image-making and image-changing opportunity for Democrats). Each bill should have a clearly defined one-sentence measurable goal. Organizing for America volunteers can call the Obama voter list, and communicate to supporters what the bill will do for them. The measurable impacts of the bill (jobs created, ozone saved, deficit dollars reduced, etc., etc.) should be front and center of all the Democrats messaging tools (Morning and Evening news, Cable TV, whitehouse.gov, barackobama.com, etc). The bills should be small and manageable and bills that can be passed in the Senate through reconciliation or make Republicans filibuster them. Televise it all on C-SPAN. Then rinse and repeat every week. Democrats - getting it done. Democrats - getting it done. Democrats - getting it done....