Oliver Willis compiled a great list of rules for 2005. Here's some choice cuts:
3. The media is not your friend. They are not interested in complexity or actual journalism. They must be bullied, cajoled, and wooed into reporting what we want them to.
4. Bipartisanship is dead. Any and all attempts at bipartisanship will result in failure. There are two enemy camps at war and any sign of weakness invites defeats. They hate us, we hate them. The good old days are over.
6. The Republicans are the party of Washington. They are the insiders. They are the party of the government. Democrats are outsiders and not the establishment.
8. If you aren't willing to fight, you should get out of the game.
Go here for the whole list.