Dems' opposition for the next 3 years

The current state of public affairs is like "looking across the canyon" at those on the other side. I see that those currently in power - on the Republican side - in American politics are in some kind of big trouble. At this point Democratic leaders cannot afford to get lost in philosophy. There is a wide chasm - a void - in Republican leadership. The country is in trouble and the Loyal Opposition must step in. Citizens are ready for the Democrats to help fill in the gaps in adequate governance.
They can do a lot without actually being in the majority. (The links relate to the behaviors I describe). What can Democrats do, if anything, with this current situation? What should they do?
I look at behaviors. Effective opposition, until we can get a new president to replace the current failing one means, at a minimum, that Democratic and Independent leaders must behave in these ways:

1. Support the forgotten middle class. Josh Marshall writes about the challenge Democrats face in regaining the confidence of middle class voters.
2. Ask for sacrifices from the wealthy. Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders position on the current budget reflects this idea.
3. Remind critics that Republicans do not own patriotism. The ACLU site quotes Congressional leaders shortly after 9/11 on the importance of civil liberties.
4. Pay attention to jobs and the economy. Blog for America reports, "Unions and Democrats had been up in arms for the last two months. Rep. George Miller, a Democrat from California, accused conservative Republicans of trying to wipe out Davis-Bacon altogether." Eventually pro-labor Republicans were able to restore the Davis-Bacon pay standards.
5. Propose solutions to ending the war in Iraq. Item 3 in my recent post discusses a few of the benchmarking ideas Dems are currently putting forth.
6. Fight for fiscal responsibility in government spending. Senator Mary Landrieu points out that FEMA is not properly spending the money appropriated for Hurricane Relief.
7. Expose wrong-doing by officials. DFA quotes Senator Patty Murray, " The Pentagon has reneged on its offer to pay a $15,000 bonus to members of the National Guard and Army Reserve who agree to extend their enlistments by six years."
8. Exercise more Congressional oversight. Senator Reid's call for a closed door session got big attention. He demanded discussion with the Republicans on the lack of work on Phase 2 of the Intelligence Committee's investigation of the lead up to the Iraq war.
9. Create the climate for election victories in 2006. California Liberal Warren Beatty is opposing Governor Schwarzenegger's special election initiatives, coming up for a vote in a few days. Upcoming elections this November are being contested vigorously, with Democrats having some chances for victories. North Carolina's so called "poll tax" was overturned in court.
10. Spotlight the best leaders at the state level. Governor Bill Richardson recently took on a bipartisan role, trouble shooting the difficult North Korean situation.
11. Build the party's grass roots organization. The Democratic Party has a 50 State Strategy, funding organizers in every state in the union.
12. Stay away from scandal; remember ethics. Any examples here?
13. Finish mending fences within the party. Any news on this issue?