I know we generally consider Dem-on-Dem violence a bad thing, but this kind of talk I like:

Indeed. We can be reasonable, but we’re far too sophisticated to accept token efforts or pats on the head. And we’re quickly becoming too powerful across America to ignore.

Rahm, Nancy, Chuck, Harry: your move.

That's from the fine ladies at FDL. Here's from the post that got it all started, by the Netxpert himself:

The netroots and grassroots can't win by themselves, and the Democratic electoral establishment is hardly any better. At some point, there is going to have to be a way for us to work together, or we are just going to keep losing and losing and losing. We can't go on like this. We can't win without them, and they can't win without us. There has to be a way for us to work together, but that doesn't mean just treating the netroots like an ATM, not even mentioning the name of our candidates on official literature, or simplistic, authoritarian demands that we all "fall in line." There is an activist class war taking place in the Democratic Party--I can see it even happening in my own neighborhood. Those who currently hold sway over the movement better recognize that it is happening as well, and they better be willing to work with the people who make their position possible. We can't simply continue to be told to go back and keep toiling in the volunteer activist salt mines. Something needs to be done to solve this mess. I'm sure there are thing that both sides can do, but the overwhelming onus to fix this situation and create some sort of détente rests on those people who currently control the Democratic Party and the progressive movement. You have to find a way to show us that you care, that you appreciate our efforts, and that you are willing to work together. My suggestion from last night probably won't fly, but whatever the solution is, the ball is in the court of the establishment, and they need to think of something.

You have to almost cringe at the somewhat desperate, obviously angry, yet somehow still hopeful tone of that post. Remind me again of when the "establishment" DLC types in the Beltway came up with a good idea and made it work.

There's more to chew, including this brilliant piece from Shake's Sister:

The Dem establishment has absolutely no understanding of its netroots. In this all-too-typical instance, they propped up Tammy Duckworth even though Christine Cegelis, a Dean Dozen candidate in 2004, had lots of grassroots support in the heavily Republican district which is being vacated by long-time rep Henry Hyde, against whom she received 44.2% of the vote in 2004, more than any challenger since his first run for Congress in 1974. She is very well-regarded by the Democratic constituency in that area and had name recognition from a previous run, but the DCCC insisted on running Duckworth, against the wishes of the local grassroots, who worked their fingers to the bone during the primary on behalf of their candidate, Cegelis.

Well, Duckworth managed to eke out a win. Now the Dems expect all of those who labored on behalf of their hometown favorite to happily shrug off the primary defeat and go to work helping Duckworth beat out the GOP challenger. And you know what I’d say if I were one of them? Fuck that.

Atrios is on it as well.

Look, Dem staffers reading this: you've already lost me. Now you're losing the people actually doing the work, and giving you money. Keep it up and eventually there will be more of us than there are of you, and that third party talk won't seem so unreasonable.

How simple can I make it: You can never compromise enough and satisfy the wingnuts. They will never think you good, strong, intelligent, devout or martial enough to deserve a chance at leadership. Stop trying to be Republican Lite, and smell your approaching doom if you don't.

People are pissed. Not just crazy brown women like me, but white people, people with money and jobs and the ability to make phone calls to "important" people. They want leadership and they want it now. Fail in the next few months, and you may as well kiss democracy goodbye. As well as your jobs, staffers- did I mention that deep down, the Republicans really hate you? When monarchic theocracy comes, you won't be part of the court. You're stained.

This year is probably going to go badly for us, but I'd surely like to be wrong. Pissing off the netroots isn't just stupid, it's suicidal. DLCers and Beltway types really need to step outside the box and think about this. If it's difficult, just look at what the other side is doing, because they at least understand how to manipulate a base without them knowing.