Reply #8: I am unabashedly liberal.

[longship]

But I unequivocally support all Democrats.

For instance, I like Evan Bayh a lot and could easily support him for President (in the absense of a Gore candidacy).

I understand that certain Democrats will vote as their constituency desires. Nelson of Nebraska comes to mind. I accept this as a necessary part of the democratic (small 'd') process.

Although my politics are ideologically liberal, I do not demonize other Democrats for their ideas. I reserve the right to challenge their positions, but with respect.

The best argument is probably one that many people have cited. "We govern best when a wide variety of ideas are put forward and a concensus is formed." No, it's not always liberal, but it's also not always conservative. Understand that this is decidedly *not* "governing from the center".

We must recognize that we all have something to contribute. In and of itself, that is a most liberal principle.

We have now seen the results of governing by ideological purity and it isn't a pretty sight.
Above all, let that be the lesson we learn from the past six years.