let Obama do that. He can have that job, it ain't fun.

People around here are obssesed with Kos.

I think they'll do about what Wright said he'd do. Continue holding Obama's feet to the fire. And that's a good thing.

Kos actually distanced himself from Obama for this precise reason at one point.  I think he may have preferred Edwards briefly.

The pugnacity of the netroots doesn't actually fit well with Obama's message.

until the GOP noise machine does the same.  Its half the reason for the progressive blog-o-sphere in the first place.  It serves its purpose- specifically as a counter balance to the other.

Interesting perspective.  On the other hand, it may simply be that "post-partisanship" and "unity" and "new" are little more than feel-good words or perhaps more aspirational than prescriptive.

Daily Kos was pretty awful and I don't miss it.  I think it unrealistic, however, to take the juvenile maunderings of self-important kossians as reflecting Obama's campaign or person.  

Change is good.  Even for some of us in the bloggy world.

I take pleasure in bashing the ideals of the Republican party, because we now have a real world test of their efficacy.  

We need to come together...but that in no way means that we have to adopt the failed policies of the Republican party, just to have a symbolic spirit of compromise.  And that includes the failed policies that more conservative members of our party may espouse.

I've had multiple conversations with Dems on this board about Gay Marriage.  There are many Dems that don't believe in this basic human right.  I won't compromise on that point, irrespective of unity.  This is a core plank of our party.

What I think you will see is that the netroots will continue to advocate for a particular type of Democrat - the progressive Democrat.  If Congress is full of progressive Democrats, then it is very easy to unite with them.

Also, I would disagree that there is no theory of politics behind Obama's message.  I think the theory is that, if you treat your opponents like adults and in a respectful manner, you can often gain more of what you want than you could by hammering them mercilessly for your brief moment in power and then being hammered in return once you lose power.

That's why I post here. MyDD has diverse opinions, and even though we argue A LOT, we at least are allowed to speak our minds.

Intersting question about Obama though. Unity is a two-way street, and he has spurred some of this divison himself. The "Past vs Future" comment really didn't help matters. But he has a chance to mend things IF he sincerely makes the effort to unite. Only time will tell, though. Hillary for VP would be a great step in this direction.

As for the blogsphere...I see things getting more divided. Kos has purged anyone with differing thoughts from their neo-liberal viewpoint, and old-school liberals need not apply there becaused they will be banned like me and many others. I would love to see MyDD take up the slack. From the far left, to the center, I think this place could be the voice of reason, and offer a place for rational discussions.

But to do so, he will have to disavow precisely the kind of contrast politics in which certain elements of the blogosphere excel.  Will the blogosphere follow the leader and embrace a softer tone and approach towards our Republican opponents?  Will the focus be on achieving legislative/administrative successes or building the Democratic majority even larger?  Will President Obama be given a pass for his centrism or compromise efforts where legislators would not?

I think this analysis is spot on, and it highlights one of the things I like most about Obama.  Replacing a cutthroat, ram-it-down-their-throats conservative agenda with its progressive analogue won't change much.  I'm sure some progressives will get pissed over the compromises a President Obama is likely to make.  But neither side will ever get everything it wants, which is why process and compromise matter.

Let's win the election first eh?  

Obama better run on governance.

The Democrats will run EVERY branch of the Federal government in 2009,  the RNC has already conceded it.

So it's up to Obama to give political boxing lessons to the MANY weak democrats since they will need to be strong on legistlation since there will be no repubs to bow their heads to.

This domination in DC will also allow Democrats to clean house and get rid of the Democrats that tremble at the sound of Tom Delays voice.

Change is coming and it will be so profound I dont think alot of us will be able to handle it.

At one point in my youth, I was a perfect hellion. I narrowly escaped arrest and jail, several times. During that period, I dated a lovely, gentle, soft-spoken lady. In many ways, she was my refuge from myself, although I am less sure what she saw in me. Contrast isn't necessarily conflict, sometimes it's complementary.

Obama's message can appeal strongly to a contentious blogosphere, perhaps because we are so contentious. Conversely, an apathetic base would perhaps do him less good than a passionate, activist one.

Rather than looking at it as hypocritcal, or dissonant, I prefer the Eastern mindset - Ying cannot coexist without Yang, and vice-versa.