The NetRoots came out on the wrong side of the TX-28 race yesterday. Cuellar won. Rodriguez lost.

What happened? Kos posted this:

"The bottom line: we helped a campaign that was the walking dead and gave it new life, pumped in resources, and made it competitive. We did much to even the playing field even if ultimately we came up tantalizingly short."

I credit Kos for noting later in his post that coming up 'tantalizingly short' is equivalent in politics to, in his words, the bubonic plague. But I would feel better if he were to take some responsibility for the loss. Isn't it possible that part of the reason the balance tipped towards Cuellar in this race because the other campaign was associated with DailyKos?

I can't fault the DailyKos community for wanting to change the Party. The Democratic Party is screwed up and needs fixing. But they shouldn't be eating our young. And they shouldn't be taking elected Democrats and weakening them through intra-party squabbling. That's what I think Kos and his community are doing. Their tone is negative. They aren't willing to compromise, or it seems, to even discuss, alternatives to their view. Who knows, maybe they would learn something if they listened more and ranted less.

What should happen instead? They should be building up the party. They should be giving our leadership - who seems incapable of doing it on its own - a set of beliefs, messages, and tactics they can carry forward. They should be working to show our leaders - from Governor Dean, to Senator Lieberman, to every activist on the ground -- the way to act. They should get beoynd tearing people down when they don't meet their lofty expectations. Anyone can do that. I expect more from Kos.

Here's my challenge to Kos -- forgo your upcoming book tour and go to work at 430 South Capitol Street. Show the party how its supposed to be done. Help Governor Dean, who you helped put at the head of the Party, figure out what is so wrong with the DemZilla system that it would prompt a separate effort to build data system for the party. Roll up your sleeves and set the Party on the right course.

Kos and his community can be a leader in this new Democratic party. But they have to act like leaders. And leaders have to stand for things, not just against them. The opportunity to shape the party is there. I hope he takes it.