1.   Democrats hope to use the minimum wage increase to contrast their positions with those of Republicans.

2.   Democrats also hope to recover at least a few seats in the Senate.

3.   Democrats are hoping centrists are disappointed enough to vote against the budget deal and send it back to negotiators.

4.   Democrats are hoping that Clinton stays competitive in Texas, in part to help them with the Senate race.

5.   Democrats are hoping to increase school construction and reduce class size, while Republicans want to revive debate on private school vouchers.

6.   Democrats are hoping to win back the House in the next election and both parties are putting a premium on party unity.

7.   Democrats had hoped to make the election a referendum on gun control and health care.

8.   Democrats hope more may shift later this month once Cole describes the case in a public hearing.

9.   Democrats hope the Medicare issue can win them back the House, but the Republican freshmen have been raising huge amounts of money.

10.   Democrats hope the tactic will overshadow any Republican efforts to make the mid-term congressional election a referendum on Clinton.