Democrats? No, thanks!

These two snippets just happened to catch my eye - both appeared within the last 24 hours. Just more evidence of why the Democrats, IMHO, aren't any more appealing to me than the others. Also, see Tom's recent posts at Canadian Hope.

From the Stonewall Dems:
"Former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) will soon assume the Chairmanship of the Democratic Leadership Council - the centrist organization which seeks to influence the policy and politics of the Democratic Party. Ford is a strong supporter of amendments to both the Tennessee and U.S. Constitutions that bar domestic partnerships, civil unions and civil marriage for same-sex couples. In Fact, Ford aggressively campaigned on that support during his failed Senate campaign last year (earning the dubious distinction of being the only major Democratic senate candidate in 2006 to wind up a loser). Ford's position puts him at odds with the stated policy of the Democratic Leadership Council, which opposes such amendments. Stonewall has called on the DLC to reaffirm their position and for Congressman Ford to rejoin the majority of Democrats and Americans in supporting the policy of the DLC by opposing the federal anti-marriage amendment."

From The New York Times
January 16, 2007
Democrats Seek the Middle on Social Issues
By Robin Toner
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 — The promise may not outlast their political honeymoon, but Democratic Congressional leaders say they are committed to governing from the center, and not just on bread-and-butter issues like raising the minimum wage or increasing aid for education. They also hope to bring that philosophy to bear on some of the most divisive social issues in politics, like abortion.

In their first days in session, Senate Democratic leaders reintroduced a bill that they said was indicative of their new approach: the Prevention First Act, which seeks to reduce the number of abortions by expanding access to birth control, family planning and sex education.

In the House last week, Democrats showcased a vote on expanding federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, which, despite fierce opposition from many conservatives, has won bipartisan support among lawmakers — and voters — who are otherwise divided on abortion.

The mantra, for many Democrats, is the search for common ground. On gay rights, lawmakers and advocates said the most likely legislation in the new Congress would focus on hate crimes and employment discrimination, issues expected to be much less polarizing than the debate over same-sex marriage that was front and center in the Republican Congress....