Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) addressed the current political landscape for House Democrats at a Wednesday evening caucus meeting at Democratic Party headquarters.

According to a source with knowledge of the meeting, Democratic pollster Geoff Garin painted a “realistic” political picture for Members at the start of the 2010 election year. Van Hollen emphasized to Members that, unlike in previous cycles, the DCCC is prepared for a tough year.

“Unlike 1994 when Democrats were taken by surprise in the closing months of that cycle, the DCCC has been planning for tough races since January so no incumbent should be caught off guard,” Van Hollen told Members, according to a set of talking points from the meeting obtained by CQ Politics.