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I am fascinated by this idea. I see some parallels to what the Conservative movement did in the mid-1960's. Their party was losing elections, and they made a long term commitment to present their ideas and transform them into a majority way of thinking with voters.

However, if you look at what the Conservative movement did in the early days, they focused on getting rid of the kooks, i.e. KKK Members, John Birch Society members, etc.

This is where progressives are going wrong. They still have the Al Frankens and Michael Moores hailed by the liberal establishment and the party that they closely identify themselves, the Democratic Party.

They must also humble themselves to the mindset that the majority of the country does not believe in their values and they must figure out a way to bring them over to their side without coming across as if the voter is an idiot. Much harder when the Conservative movement has become the market leader.

Even if this effort fizzles, they still have the mainstream media, Universities and Hollywood to promote the hollow values and failed policies.

To me this sounds like an internet start up with no real business model to generate profitibility, just a lot of press and hype.

There is a significant difference between the American left of 2005 and American conservatism of 40 years ago. The racists, conspiracy theorists, libertarians, and other marginal people were not the mainstream of 1960s conservatism, in either the rank and file or the leadership. OTOH, the gay activists, the America is always in the wrong crowd, radical feminists, black and Hispanic exploiters of white guilt, advocates of permissiveness and extreme tolerance, and others of their ilk are the mainstream of the Democratic Party. Ever since the McGovern Presidential campaign, this crowd has become ever more ensconced in the party. The old style Democrats of the New Deal and Great Society eras have been marginalized.

"However, if you look at what the Conservative movement did in the early days, they focused on getting rid of the kooks, i.e. KKK Members, John Birch Society members, etc.

"This is where progressives are going wrong. They still have the Al Frankens and Michael Moores hailed by the liberal establishment and the party that they closely identify themselves, the Democratic Party."

An important point about this. The problem is, they are now LED by those very voices, meaning they will be in an almost impossible position to distance themselves from that side of their party. They have yet to come up with a 'reasonable' approach to their viewpoint on the issues (and I use the term 'reasonable' only as a byword for falsehood, as a true socialist agenda is still not possible here...yet). Well, that's 80mil that won't be used to buy some blue state election.

Furthermore, it will be very interesting to see how the '06 elections go; if the ranting of Dean, Schumer, Conyers, etc goes unchecked, I think you will see a greater move to the right. I'm not super happy with the recent legislative behavior of the "conservative" Republicans, but wouldn't trust the Democrats with receipts from a lemonade stand.