Rule #1: We're here to elect liberal Democrats.
Rule #2: Where there aren't any liberal Democrats, we're here to elect Democrats, thereby empowering their liberal compatriots with majority status.
Rule #3: Whenever there is friction or fighting between us, see Rules #1 and #2 for guidance.
Everything else is window dressing.
That's pretty much it. Is there controversy here? Wondering what your position is? Ask yourself, what would help to elect liberal Democrats, or alternatively, to elect ANY Democrats and make us the majority party.
Are you thinking about Ralph Nader? Well---what would help to elect liberal Democrats? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Don't split the vote. Get Nader out of here.
What should we do about Kos and the mercenaries? Well---what would help to elect liberal Democrats? You know, I'm on the fence about whether the point behind that blog was valid or not. I'm saddened because it was bad public relations. We got all fragmented and distracted, and people who are supposed to be on our side decided they needed to run away. Therefore, it was politically wrong. What to do? What would help to elect Democrats? Apologize, circle the wagons against the trolls trying to make hay out of it, stick together and fight on against the GOP.
Advertisers pulling ads after you've contributed loyally? You're frustrated and you think they're being spineless? Well--what would help to elect liberal Democrats? Bush is Satan. We have no time to throw pity parties for ourselves. If you want to win elections, you have to just take it and keep on giving. There really isn't another option. They are supposed to represent us, not the other way around. Email their campaigns and let them know how you feel if you need to, but stay loyal. Their turn to reciprocate comes after they're elected, not before. Meanwhile, let us work on being the kind of people with whom it's a credit to associate, not a liability.
So---what can you do that would help elect liberal Democrats?
Ask that question every day between now and November.