The Nation's current cover story, "The Way Down South" by Bob Moser is a must-read for all Southern Democrats.

(And for state and national party leadership folks if they care about winning any more presidential elections.)

There's too much good stuff to excerpt here, so read the whole thing for an informed and entertaining perspective on how Democrats "lost" the South, how national Democrats abandoned us, how "Republican-lite" campaigns aren't working, and what we ought to be doing going forward.

As our friend Chris Kromm (who is quoted in the article) says in his commentary about article:

How would the South be different today, if the Democrats had adopted a "50 state strategy" and invested in policy and media infrastructure in the South that could identify the issues and constituencies for progressive success?

It's impossible to say, but the answer to that question has enormous relevance today, as Democratic leaders debate about whether to "forget the South" or "move to the right in the South." Perhaps history points to a third option: investing in the creation of a new progressive majority in the region.

As in a "New Third Way"? Anyway, go read The Way Down South. This will be on the test... in 2008.