Sifting through the ashes of the previous day’s disappointing results, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel said Wednesday there are at least three issues on which the two parties can find common ground in the new year.  

“We can come together on some key middle class, economic security issues, and that’s what has to happen now that this election is mercifully behind us,” the New York Democrat said Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”  

“I think we need to pick three things that we can get done together,” he said. “I think it’s college debt, I think it’s immigration reform, and I think it’s reforming the tax code. We need to do this incrementally. I think both parties have a vested interest in delivering for the middle class, so I think we need to pick those three things and move forward.” The Democrat’s use of the word “incrementally” is sure to draw the attention of Republicans, who have insisted that securing the nation’s porous borders is the first step to any proposed overhaul of the immigration system.  

Israel won his own race in New York’s 3rd District handily, but nationwide the Democrats lost more than a dozen seats. Early Wednesday morning, 18 House races were still uncalled by the Associated Press.  

Earlier, the DCCC defended its 2014 effort, releasing a three-page memo titled “
On Tough Night, DCCC Limited Republicans’ Opportunities to Take Advantage of Wave, ” detailing the challenges faced this year by Democratic candidates. The party also lost at least seven Senate seats and the majority in that chamber.  

Related:

Still Undecided: 18 House, 2 Senate, 6 Governor Races


GOP: Obama’s Immigration Action Will Cripple 2016 Democrats


Coup Brews Against NRCC Chairman


Democrats Jockeying to Run DCCC in 2016


Roll Call Results Map: Results and District Profiles for Every Seat


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