The problem is that net-root is run top to bottom, rather than bottom to top. This entire campaign was based on one premise--Ceuller's photo with Bush. Very few people posting here (like myself) actually live in Texas-28. Ciro, a good man with a good record, is not a good campaigner. But no input is ever taken from those that live there -- that is the biggest problem with the net-root movement. There's no root about the movement, except money from the net. Just throwing money someone's way is not going to lead them to victory. Further, a lot of voters came to see this as a "grudge" match being fought by Ciro to regain his seat. There wasn't enough positive energy in the campaign. Victor Morales (who, gained 44% against a Republican opponent in 1996 senate race), if supported properly, would've been a better candidate but netroots seems to be listening to the establishment more than the residents.

Good diary. (I was typing a similar one simultaneously, including seven specific (and, I believe, constructive questions I have for the campaign... Link below.)

I think it is very important in these situations to ask the hard questions and not just paint a rosy "we lost but here's how we really won" scenario. I also think it's important not to criticize just because the good guy lost. The key is to learn from the loss, and get down to fixing the problems so that you win the next time.

My own post-TX28 diary is at:
http://mydd.com/story/2006/3/8/122442/37 93

Let's face it, the closest that most bloggers have come to TX-28 is singing The Streets of Laredo at school.

But it seems - no doubt Dr Phil would have a theory - that, the less real-world connection a blogger has with a race, the more passionate he is about it. Especially when his boy loses.

Hence the scenes over at Kos earlier today more appropriate to a David Cassidy concert c1973.

Blogs are completely inadequate to deal with particular campaigns. Even to present information on multiple campaigns, let alone do anything to influence them.

(How to do this? A wiki? I dunno. Something that can handle a lot of info like a spreadsheet, but in a web page.)

Expectations have been way overblown. Many folks in 04 were bowled over by the gee-whiz factor of real-time blog action, commenting, feeling part of an online community with but a single aim.

Effectiveness and efficiency didn't enter their heads much.

Blogs are essentially a way of shooting the breeze. Sometimes, interesting ideas are exchanged (more often on this blog than on some I could mention!).

But let's not kid ourselves - nothing actually gets done beyond the dispatch of a few bucks.

Which pays a few bills. But does nothing at the business end of the campaign.

The Netroots: the new Bob Shrum?

Discuss.

It seems to me your point here is another way of getting at what I was saying about netroots and Pennacchio: netroots -- at least at the national level of MyDD or dKos -- are a blunt instrument as far as winning/losing particular elections.  But they're a craftsman's tool in advancing positions and name recognition.

Re "good set of policies" -- sure they might not win, but they're still good.  I don't advocate throwing candidates out the window if they don't support each and every one of a set of good positions including gay marriage, but I'm willing to hold it against candidates who don't support most of them.  E.g., Bob Casey: pro-life, pro-Alito, Democrat In Name Only.