"He's got to get out before the election" if he wants to run for governor, one Democratic strategist said.

But in the last month, Democratic strategists have smelled blood.

But Democratic strategists saw advantages to their party as well.

"Sure, it would have helped," one Democratic strategist said today.

"We have to find our voice," said one Democratic strategist.

"I think he's found his own niche," said one Democratic strategist who is close to him.

And at least some Democratic strategists think there are ways around the tax problem.

In the past 12 years, Democratic strategists say they have learned some hard lessons.

For all of that, some Democratic strategists said they actually looked forward to the debate on health care.

Even Democratic strategists acknowledge that those are two very big if's.