Dean Says Democrats Will End Iraq Problem

Democrats may have to work hard. They need to pick up 15 seats in the House and six in the Senate to regain power.

The key to that, many believe, is to make the midterm elections a referendum on President Bush's leadership.

"In history, almost all presidents have had a six year itch," said Larry Sabato, a professor at the University of Virginia. "The way things are going, Bush is going to need some tough actin' Tinactin to fight that itch."

Whatever happens to Congress in 2006 will almost certainly impact who wins the White House in 2008, and some analysts believe Republicans would do better by losing this year.

"If the Republicans hold both houses of Congress, it means they will have been in charge essentially for eight years," Sabato said. "That will increase the pressure for change in 2008."

Of course, Republican leaders aren't buying that. Their strategy is to run on local issues, to outspend Democrats and to take advantage of the fact the two men charged with leading democrats to victory, Dean and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill. -- leader Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- reportedly clashed over how to spend money for the 2006 Congressional campaigns.

"We work very well with the DCCC," Dean said. "I do think that's mostly inside-the-beltway gossip. What matters to the American people is not who speaks to who and that stuff."

ABC News' Geoff Morrell contributed to this report.