Pro-life Democrats work to find a home in their own party

Published: 2004-04-29

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CNS) -- Democrats for Life of America aims to make a place in the party for those Democrats who may sometimes feel they are without a political home because they oppose abortion and object to many Republican social policies. "There are Democrats out there who are loyal Democrats but feel excluded by the party leadership," said Kristen Day, national director for Democrats for Life, in an interview with The Long Island Catholic, newspaper of the Rockville Centre Diocese. "While some Democrats have felt driven to join the Republican Party, others are not comfortable with the Republicans. They feel like they have no home," she said. "We are trying to offer a home," said Day, a former aide to retired Democratic Rep. Jim Barcia of Michigan. "When we started two years ago we had five state chapters. Now we have 23 and another dozen that are trying to organize." One of the newest state chapters, in New York, has support from several Democratic elected officials, including retired U.S. Rep. John LaFalce of Buffalo and state Sen. Ruben Diaz from the Bronx.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .