As the 110th Congress prepares to take office, the post- election tug-of-war for the soul of the Democratic Party continues, with DLC folks spinning the election as a victory for centrism and others pointing to the role of economic populism. The struggle to explain the election continues because it may well affect how Congressional Democrats will decide to act. Economic populism or centrism? The truth, I think, is both more complex and more interesting - and brings progressive values to center stage. It is time to return to accurate framing, beginning with the election itself.