I thank you all for your responses. For the record, I am a Democrat. Just don't consider myself a liberal. I'm not going to spend any time saying why I'm pro-life, it's pretty basic. I think I'm right, I think the pro-life agenda is correct, and the majority feel you're correct. That's fine.

Point is, we're democrats.

My point is, let's not have litmus tests on our candidates, especially on abortion. We should nominate the guy who could best represent his/her constituency.

Remember.. ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL!!! That's how the local Democrats (Schweitzer in Montana, Manchin in WV etc.) The party has to find a way to connect with the standards of the people, rather than the National standard.

I read an article, the NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/national/28abort.html? which was focused on how Dennis Hopper's wife had written a letter supporting Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown over Congressman Jim Langevin. Why? Because he's pro-choice. Langevin is not.

I think Mrs. Hopper should let Rhode Island decide who is best fit to represent their constituency.

My suggestion was never to abandon the pro choice platform, even though I feel it's wrong, it isn't all that matters to me. Education, Health Care, minority rights, that's what makes me a Democrat. My suggestion is to just be a little more inclusive and not simply dismiss posts such as mine as "suspicious" just because I'm not a liberal or because I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the party's candidate.

Bring on '06.

Interesting note on '06, especially in Virginia, it seems that the legislature is attempting to schedule the Gay Marriage amendment on the ballot for Election Day in 2006. The possible ramifications? If by any chance Gov. Mark Warner decides to run for Senate (sources say it's unlikely, but half the fun of politics is speculation) this could be a blow if he would run. Sen. Allen is a formidable candidate, Virginia likes him, most in VA say he's a good man, was a good governor, couple that with a Gay Marriage Amendment.. could definitely complicate any chance the Democrats have to capture the seat (it's not something I'm expecting anyway)