Pelosi tells Democrats: 'Go on offense'

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is urging her troops "to go on offense" during the two-week Passover-Easter recess.

Pelosi sent Democrats a "recess packet" including instructions on how to talk to their constituents about the benefits of the healthcare reform bill, The Hill reported. She said they should "convey the immediate benefits" of the bill, including improvements in Medicare's prescription drug coverage and the ban on policy cancellation for the sick.

"With the passage of health insurance reform, this District Work Period is a critical time to go on offense," she said.

Polls taken after the bill passed showed an uptick of support for the legislation and for the Democratic Party and President Barack Obama. While the Democrats expect to lose seats in the midterm election, they hope to avoid a massacre.

In her memo, Pelosi said representatives should address issues other than healthcare. She said they should "demonstrate the work of this Congress to create jobs and strengthen the economy," and "publicize the benefits of the $800 billion in tax cuts this Congress has enacted."