Quick shots: 2010 version of "It's the economy, stupid"

Editor's note: There are 18 days to go before voters cast ballots in the hotly contested midterm elections. In this special feature, CNN's political contributors share their quick thoughts on what's making news.

Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist, was a political consultant for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992 and was counselor to Clinton in the White House.

Ed Rollins is senior presidential fellow at the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency at Hofstra University, a principal with the Dilenschneider Group and a former White House political director and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Begala: How Democrats can win

george w bush nancy pelosi harry reid john mccain al gore