Over time…

…I've put this blog at the service of the DCCC on a pretty regular basis. There are a number of reasons for that, but without doubt, one of the main ones is that they make it so easy. When it comes to outreach to the liberal blogosphere, the DCCC is head and shoulders above the pack in terms of Democratic Party organizations. Starting with The Stakeholder, always my pick for the best damn institutional blog on the web, and going all the way to DCCC Chair Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, the DCCC is a valuable source of tools and tips for liberal bloggers, and has built a relationship with many national and regional blogs on a basis of mutual trust.

While the activities of the D-Trip, which has a specific and somewhat limited mission, may sometimes fall short of the lofty goals of the lefty blogosphere, at least there's genuine recognition of the role and value of blogs in the context of Democratic campaigns. Executive Director John Lapp lays it out in a MyDD diary…

"Resources are not infinite. That is why MyDD, the Daily Kos, and the larger blogosphere are so important. You are critical in the effort to expand the playing field well above and beyond the 30 or 40 districts typically in play."

The whole thing is a must-read for activists in the fight for a new majority in the House of Representatives.

Much of this discussion about the DCCC, ususally not a headline grabbing outfit in off years, comes from some criticism of their strategy and timing in the Paul Hackett race. Whenever you have a loss - even one that's so easily seen as a moral victory - there's room for, and there's bound to be, some second guessing. We'll never know what mighta been, but we do know that on the heels of a quarter million dollar investment by the DCCC at a critical hour, Paul Hackett achieved a historic finish against seemingly immeasurable odds. Some close examination of what might have brought in the last 3% or so and a total victory is worth our while, but backbiting about 'shoulda's doesn't serve anyone on our side.

Jesse Lee has a Hackett summary up, including a breakdown of the D-Trip's $284,000 investment, at The Stakeholder. As usual, he doesn't duck the controversy or pull punches. And as usual, he and his colleagues have earned my thanks and appreciation.

Yours, too, I think.