IS THAT DIXIE BEHIND US, AND WHISTLING I HEAR? Things can get a bit buried here at Tapped, so let me recommend that folks click down to Schaller's convincing post on how, at the Senate level, the non-Southern strategy is already occurring, and will probably accelerate as we enter 2008. Indeed, I've long thought Tom's analysis persuasive at the Senate level and irresistible at the presidential level but less clear as you move down to governorships, House seats, and state legislatures. That, to me, always seemed the possible place for compromise: You don't want to stop party building or supporting outposts of populism, but nor do you want to waste money on lost causes. So you actually support the local races and the winnable districts (which build party and assure you outposts) while focusing Senate and national money elsewhere. Tom? --Ezra Klein