In this morning's New York Times, Hillary Clinton basically tells anti-war Democrats and the Netroots to vote for somebody else (Hat Tip - Americablog.com). Clinton says

"“If the most important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not cast that vote or has said his vote was a mistake, then there are others to choose from,” Mrs. Clinton told an audience in Dover, N.H., in a veiled reference to two rivals for the nomination, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina."

In response, Markos on DailyKos says she can no longer gain his vote.

It's an interesting gambit by Clinton, a Sister Souljah move, if you will. In addition to standing firm, Hillary is shoving aside the left wing and the Netroots. It's a calculated risk, believing that she can win the primary by having the insiders, outspending her rivals and most likely, appealing to women voters. It's basically the John Kerry strategy (Don't laugh, he did beat the Netroot's candidate of choice, Howard Dean).

As dangerous as the move is for Clinton, it is fraught with peril for the Netroots. It's a true test of the political maturity of the on-line community. Lashing out, calling her a traitor, et. al. only plays into her hands. There has to be more.

If the Netroots gets behind a candidate (or two) raises money for them and helps them get votes, they will prove to be 800 pound Donkey in the Democratic primary. If, on the other hand, they respond with vitriol and prove ineffective in getting votes for a candidate (like Dean in '04) you can expect more of the same in future primaries. The gauntlet has been thrown, now the Netroots has to pick it up.