Washington (CNN) -- Democratic and Republican leaders don't see eye to eye on much these days. But political veterans on both sides of the aisle do agree on one point -- the stakes are high in the rapidly approaching 2014 midterm races. For Democrats, the midterms are all about holding their slim Senate majority and, if possible, defying historical odds by retaking the House of Representatives. They want to give President Barack Obama a working congressional majority for his last two years in office to help secure his legacy and lay the best possible groundwork for the party's standard bearer in 2016.
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Obamacare fiasco has shaken voter confidence in Democrats' government solutions
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Will voters' memories of October shutdown be eclipsed by Obamacare a year from now?
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Worst losses have occurred to president's party during or shortly after economic slowdown
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Could GOP overreach on Obamacare or other issues break cycle of six-year itch?
I believe that strategy is now threatened and the @placeholder will have to work on their policy messaging for November 2014 if they want to hang onto the Senate."
I believe that strategy is now threatened and the Democrats will have to work on their policy messaging for November 2014 if they want to hang onto the @placeholder."
CNN has tentatively identified 45 @placeholder races to watch in 2014 -- 25 Democratic seats and 20 Republican seats.
In 2014, @placeholder primary voters will help decide more Senate and House where conservative tea party candidates have been pitted against Republican establishment types.