I think the model for the Democratic party should be a return to it's Jeffersonian roots.
Doing so would fix a lot of problems; two obvious ones come to mind. First, it gives it an alternative philosophical basis to the party without inventing one, and second, it would give the libertarians something useful to do.
Conservatives are critical to get it moving. I don't know that they will participate. I hope they will realize that this is their future as well. There just seems to be this incredible urge within conservative circles to declare victory prematurely. Sad to say, few conservatives still have a seat at the Democratic party table in order to influence the outcome. I hope that changes.
The DNC itself will not compromise or change unless it sees a way of retaining power by doing so. The tendency is to do the same old thing a little harder and cake the makeup on a little thicker (to paraphrase Zell).
I am an optimist, but I have to acknowledge that it's awful difficult to convince conservatives of a fundamental truism: sometimes there comes a point when if you want it done right, you'll have to do it yourself.
I think you and I are singing off the same set of music, just different pages.
Well, I do what I can, for the moment.
the endless argument in the 3D CGI communities, for one.
I have had some success in causing centrist Democrats to stop and think and get out of the Borg-like Collective. I have had some success in encouraging the silent conservatives there to stand up. I have had ENORMOUS success in goading the Soros-meatpuppets into gibbering frenzy - which really hamstrings their credibility and does far more than any rational argument I can muster to cause folks to look at what they DO (rather than pretend to believe or stand for) and say: No thanks.
In such forums I am the sand in the vaseline, the monkey in the wrench, the pain in the ass.
I have had some worthwhile impact.
As to "working within the Party" - hrmn... right now, at least, I am not able to force myself to do it. The problem is, beyond any other thing, the shout-down. Honestly, I'd end up literally strangling anyone who "Carvilled" me.