Democratic candidates for governor in 2010 need to avoided being baited by Republicans on national issues such as health care or climate change, Democratic officials said today in the wake of two big losses in New Jersey and Virginia.

Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, told reporters the 37 races they have on the map next year will be tough. He advised that candidates talk about jobs, the party's ability to govern and local issues.

"Republicans are going to try to use federal issues to box in Democrats and we can't fall for that," he said. "We need to demonstrate our capacity to govern and our capacity to get results."

Daschle said candidates "cannot fall for the trap" of federal issues, saying that if GOP rivals are pushing on health care or climate change they probably don't know about state issues.

TPMDC asked Daschle about candidates getting pushed on health care, especially whether they would "opt-out" of the public option in its current form. It's an issue that hurt Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia as liberals felt like he was moving too far to the right by saying he would likely opt-out.

Daschle said the DGA "probably won't" take a position on health care.

Despite the bruising last night, nothing has changed with the DGA's 2010 strategy.

"There's no more indication of a GOP comeback any more today than there was yesterday," he said. "We knew on Monday where we were going to have to go on offense and we know today."

He added there were 1,000 other things he'd rather do than rehash the results from Tuesday night, and said he is "disappointed but not discouraged."

Daschle went over the White House and Democratic talking points - that the state races were won on local issues and Virginia and New Jersey have been bucking the party in power for decades.

He said the races weren't a referendum on Obama and charged the Republicans are in disarray.

Daschle said incumbents had a tough time last night and warned the for Democrats to win in 2010 they must show they can govern.

Daschle said the DGA is primed for the 2010 fight, saying that despite putting a record amount into Virginia they have conserved their resources.

The final dollar tallies were $4 million in Virginia and $3.5 million in New Jersey.

"Last night was the opening battle, tonight starts the war," he said.