Let me share an example I cited in the comments section of Chris's diary last night.

Does anyone remember Jeff Smith?

He was the Democrat that ran in a Missouri primary and lost by 1733 votes to Russ Carnahan.  Russ is the son of deceased Governor Mel Carnahan and former US Senator Jean Carnahan.  In many respects he is the same kind of Democrat many here complain about.

Russ wasn't a particularly inspiring candidate either.  Jeff Smith was.  He ran a tough, hardnosed grassroots campaign and came up just short.  His staff could be found on DailyKos, and for many, he ran a VERY inspirational campaign with a true progressive message.

After the election, there was speculation that the DCCC went against its long-standing policy of getting involved in Democratic primaries, coming to the aid of a legacy candidate.  Whether or not they did is not the point.

There was even a bit of a mini-scandal here on Kos in light of some contributions made to Carnahan made by DCCC members and their agents.  From what I recall, it promoted another in a serious of semi-heated public disagreements between Kos and the DCCC that played out in the blogosphere.

Let's assume for a moment that the party establishment doesn't involve itself in primaries and let's the best candidate emerge on their own merits.

Why can't net/grassroots outreach and organizing be part of what determines who the best candidate is?  Why can't we get involved?

That is the best way to leverage our collective weight.  I urge you to look beyond presidential politics in this.

Yes, we got involved with either Dean, Clark, or another candidate during the primary.  But guess what?  The establishment does as well when it comes to the president.  When it comes to US Senate, and House of Representatives if they do, it is a MUCH smaller extent.

Let's fill that void.  Let's nominate and support our choices for positions on November ballots in races from the US Senate to City Council.

Then allow the powers-that-be to step up and become forced to support our candidates.  Instead of us stepping in after the primary, forced to support theirs.

By doing so, we will be contributing mightily to determining the face of the Democratic Party -- even more so than we did in 2004.  

You want to take back our party?  We can do so by having a voice in the primary, when many remain silent.

Our labor, our dollars, our research, our votes, our voices, our efforts in the singular and combined carry even more weight in primaries than they do in a general election.

And you know what; whether or not it works out, that is why I am moving from Chicago to Pennsylvania this weekend.  To get involved with a progressive candidate who I would like to see become the face of the Democratic Party against Rick Santorum.

You'll be hearing from us; I hope we will hear from you.

Thanks,

Tim