Tomasky is one of my absolute favorite political columnists because he understands how to neutralize the culture war issues in ways that can be beneficial towards Democrats instead of the hard-line attitudes of so many liberals.
http://www.prospect.org/webfeatures/2004/03/tomasky-m-03-11.html
Tomasky's argument to at least reach out to pro-lifers and make them feel they can be part of the Democratic party is so right on and i am sending it to all my pro-life friends who just can't abide by the Democratic party because it refuses to acknowledge or respect folks like them, or just calls them fundamentalist, woman-hating nutcases because they have sincere beliefs in the sanctity of life. it's funny, when i argue with my pro-life friends, they even admit, "I'm against abortion, but then i'd probably get one if it came down to it." my position is, "Abortion should be legal, but i'd sure as hell never get one." Every evangelical i know, even if they are against abortion and gay rights, supports universal health care, even single-payer. and they will also agree with me that it's a more morally urgent issue than the other two, so what the hell are they still doing in the party of corporate greed?? Most of them have finally woken up to Bush's evils. thank goodness. Throwing a bone to pro-lifers could also help shore up the base, such as Latinos and blacks, who have pro-life tendencies which the GOP always looks to exploit. but it would behoove the Dems to talk about moral issues once in a while. I never could understand the outcry against Tipper just for wanting to let parents know what's in a CD.