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President Obamas popularity is on the rebound, and the Democrats race to replace him seems orderly and sane compared with the chaotic contest already dividing the GOP. Even in the minority, Senate Democrats still have enough leverage to slow, stall or kill Republican bills, and they are hopeful about retaking control in 2016.

And then there are the House Democrats.

With their ranks severely depleted and with no control over the chambers agenda, they are the most tangible symbols of the partys recent electoral defeats. And the wreckage has made discussions about the future difficult.

But it is that very future, and how to shape it, that will be the subject of closed-door meetings in Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday as House Democrats try to figure out how to rehabilitate themselves with voters.

Some worry that the party could lose even more seats in 2016 under House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who maintains a firm grip on the caucus and is its top fundraiser.

On Wednesday night as the meetings began, Pelosi said Democrats are eager to draw contrasts with Republicans in 2016.

Its going to be a presidential year, so we have to put on the table what we see as the big contrast in the House of Representatives, she said. The presidential candidate will go forward with whatever agenda she has. Or he.

A yawning gap has opened up in the 188-member caucus between an aging cast of urban liberals and their younger colleagues who come from the few districts Democrats control outside major cities.

Beyond those generational and demographic tensions, Democrats continue to debate the best ways to attract a winning coalition in 2016.

Our message cannot be a bunch of Democrats running around saying we have no message. Thats not a good message, said Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.), the caucuss newly anointed message man. Its time to get in a room and do a robust analysis of what message works and just start messaging it.

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House Democrats retake the House? Its a long shot, but theyre getting ready to try.