There are now two types of diaries here on DKos. We either have candidate entries or STFU entries begging the candidate shrills to go away. Some long-time Kossacks are cutting back on their posting or simply leaving until after the primaries have been decided. I can't imagine this is good for the site.
My ideas for cleaning up below the fold.
I've had three or four great diaries in my head for a few weeks now. Every time I sit down to start typing, I hit the site and read down the rec'd diaries and recent additions. After all, I don't want to be repeating what somebody else has already written.
But wading through the chest-deep filth that these candidate diaries spew really just takes any and all creativity out of me. They are crap and are getting rec'd by the partisans on either side. Add in the whole TR fiasco and the stench is getting a little to ripe in here.
So, here's my suggestion: A new, temporary forum off the main page of Kos. Put the link very prominently at the top of the main page: "Candidate advocacy." Any and all diaries that fall under the category get tossed over the fence, where all the flacks and shrills can snarl, fight and scream at each other. The rest of us will be discussing all the issues that we haven't been for the last two months. Anyone remember that we've still got a war on? (Funny that little country called Iraq has disappeared off the front page of Kos.) Our dimwit in Chief is still talking up a bunch of drunk rednecks in speedboats as a threat in the Persian Gulf and nobody has said word one about what the scared-y Dems in Congress should be doing when they return from the recess. Personally, I'd love to write about any of these subjects, but I assume that any voice that deviates from "Hillbamwards" diaries will simply get drowned out.
So, let's build those who want to make the fur fly their own pool to play in, rather than let the pissing match continue in this one. It's starting to smell funny here.
For those that refuse to post in the appropriate forum, they get a "warning." A second warning get a ban for a week, third and your IP address and username is gonegonegone! Harsh, but I believe necessary until a candidate is chosen. Hopefully, something like this won't have to last much longer, because the site is losing some great contributors and turning off anyone who casually gets here.