There is, and always has been, a broad spectrum within the polar opposites of a simple "for" or "against". To argue that it's one or the other seems to simplify discussion to a point where there is, simply, no discussion.

And to distill discussion on national policy to a handful of red flag issues dismisses the big picture. Not that singular issues are unimportant, aren't key to our agenda, or that there is real passion around some - but the notion that we are as a whole moving to the right misses something, imo.

i.e., there have always been Democrats who don't favor abortion, yet support the rest of what we call Democratic ideals, and compromise with the majority to personal support choice. Hence, it's not pro-abortion or anti-abortion. It's pro-choice. An effective compromise for all concerned.

Same with any of the wedge issues so loved by the media and RW politicos in re: all things Democratic.

A personal example. I don't favor state imposition of the death penalty - at any time, in any case. And I realize there are many Democrats that differ. So be it. I'll continue to voice my opposition when it comes up and encourage we move away from the practice in our country.

Yet, I don't propose that be a standard that defines my participation in the party, politics in general or, for that matter, Democratic Underground.

In a larger sense, I really think political nuance, the shades of political thought, is making a come back.

Perhaps we are all recoiling from the extremism of the last eight years.

Not moving right, left or to the center - but to a rationality of politics that works.