Earlier today, a friend asked me to talk him down.

He’s freaked out about Scott Brown and losing the filibuster-proof Senate majority. He’s angry that too many Congressional Democrats are walking away from a health care bill that really would still be a historic achievement that would do a world of good.

He’s frustrated that President Obama isn’t taking a more visible leadership role. He’s dumbfounded that the Supreme Court seemingly signed over our democracy to corporate cash earlier today.

It’s been a hell of a week for us Democrats.

In truth, it took me most of the day - and a stern talking to from my smarter-than-me wife - to figure out what to tell him. I’m angry and frustrated - probably more than you. Achieving real change has been my life’s work and I see it all teetering on the brink of catastrophe.

First, Tracy said it best: “It’s only been two days.” Our leaders in Congress are still figuring out what to do about health care. There is a real bind, because the House and the Senate don’t agree.

But they’re working on it. Everything they’ve said publicly indicates they actually do have some inkling that we need to achieve something with our majority.

On a broader scale, it’s important to remember that Massachusetts is only one loss after a nearly unprecedented string of victories. We weren’t going to go on winning every election from here on out.

Political fortunes ebb and flow. We’re at the bottom of a trough right now. But the media loves a good comeback story too much to not write the “Obama Recovers!” story about six months from now.

This is what Obama still understands better than just about anyone. Too many people try to win the news cycle. He’s playing a much longer-term game than that.

I still believe that the President knows we have to do more and we have to do it better. You do not organize poor folks in South Side churches and forget that they’re depending on you. I know it. I’ve been there.

I saw some of this from Obama when he spoke on Martha Caokley’s behalf last week. I think we’ll see more at next week’s State of the Union.

Finally, for anyone who has been frustrated with the pace of change or anxious over lacking leadership in this country, there has only ever been and will only ever be a single path to sucess:

(Ahem)

Don’t fight the power. Be the power.

If you’re concerned that your leadership in Washington isn’t representing you, then run for election and beat them. If you don’t think you can beat them, then find someone who can and work your tail off to get them elected.

If getting rid of someone who’s not representing you isn’t an option then organize your people to exert some influence.

The system sucks and all of that is gonna be hard. Boo hoo. It’s the best we’ve got.

The Lone Ranger ain’t riding into town to save the day. We must be the change we want to see in the world (h/t Ghandi, Obama)

Tuesday night, I was pretty dispirited by Brown’s victory. I didn’t have a lot to say, but I kept coming back to one piece of advice. I twittered it that night.

For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

Ted Kennedy

The Lion roars one last time. Remember, these words were actually the closing passage from Kennedy’s concession speech after losing the nomination for President in 1980.

Senator Kennedy shows us the way here, in the face of a gut-wrenching defeat. It’s always darkest before dawn. It’s never as bad as it seems. But the only ones - the only ones - who can lead us to better days are us.

Ted Kennedy’s legacy isn’t the letter after the name of the junior senator from Massachusetts. It’s the spirit liberal, progressive Democrats have to make America live up to its promise.

Time for whining is over. Let’s get back to work.