Reply #1: It doesn't matter what they try, it is a Republican wave this year. And you are right,

[smalll]

a Republican victory in 2010 only ensures an Obama victory in 2012. So "scorched earth" is a pretty good way to put it. Retreat from Moscow as the Grand Army approaches, and know you'll be able to push back after the winter eats away at them.

But this is not a specific, chosen strategy on the part of Obama, Axelrod, Rahm & Co. Again, there's little they could do about this either way. They're just going with the flow, or at least (I will grant) probably not too broken up about the fact that the tide is with the Repukes -- right now.