• Don't talk process. Don't tell the voters what the Democrats should say in order to win, just say it! And mean what you say.



• Remind everyone that the Rebublicans are in charge. Let the voters know who's been running the country, who's controlled Congress and who's been in the White House, and thereore who's responsible for the lousy state we're in.



• Advisors, let the leaders do the talking. Stop going public with quibbles and contradictions, and especially stop running down our elected leades and designatied representatives to the media. Democratic advisors don't exactly have a stellar record at winning elections, so they're in no position to air our dirty laundry -- doing so isn't admirable whistle-blowing, it's simply confusing the voter and providing talking points for the opposition. Express your opposing views in private and support our leaders in public.

I'll add this one:

Listen to the rank and file, including the netroots. There is, of course, no guarantee that they'll be a font of wisdom on every issue, nor will they speak with one voice (especially on the Internet, where dissension on the left sometimes seems to be as much an expression of the right to disagree as actual fundamental disagreement), but Democratic leaders had better understand that in the age of Bush, the electorate is damn angry and not in the mood to be trifled with. They -- we -- demand to be taken into account, and to have our views taken seriously, and we will not continue to support those who ignore us or take our votes for granted or patronize us. You don't have to agree with us, but you do have make the effort to make your case to us, and gave us the respect we demand and deserve.

This is a democracy, and we are the people. We're also your only hope of winning elections -- if you don't have us, you don't have squat.

Addenda: Some may see in my comments a hint of hypocrisy, since I chastise Democratic advisors for contradicting our leaders in public, when I myself indulge in the liberty of blogging my own criticism. That's true, but that's the way it is. They have taken on positions of considerable power and privilege, but wth that goes the responsibility to wield their advise in ways that help and to do no harm.

Update: Semi-relalted -- Kevin Hayden's got thoughts about how bloggers can be organized into an effective political machine. It's worth reading, but color me doubtful.