Issue you disagree with the other party on the most

[Akno21]

Very simple:
Republicans - death penalty
Democrats - abortion

PRO-LIFE FOREVER!

Least you aren't a walking contradiction.

[Akno21]

The Democrats need to make it picture clear that they are not for abortion, but for abortion rights. We also need to stop being fake about what we try to do. Kerry is not an openly religous guy. I'd rather see him not discuss it all then do it in the phony way he did. We do pander too much to the African-American community, but do we have a choice? Could we win PA, MI, OH (theoretically), MN, FL, WA without large Black Democratic turnout in Philadelphia, Detriot, Cleveland, The Twin Cities, Miami/Jacksonville, and Seattle?

[Akno21]

The Democrats need to make it picture clear that they are not for abortion, but for abortion rights. We also need to stop being fake about what we try to do. Kerry is not an openly religous guy. I'd rather see him not discuss it all then do it in the phony way he did. We do pander too much to the African-American community, but do we have a choice? Could we win PA, MI, OH (theoretically), MN, FL, WA without large Black Democratic turnout in Philadelphia, Detriot, Cleveland, The Twin Cities, Miami/Jacksonville, and Seattle?

Well said Akno.  I share a lot fo what you just said.  I too feel the Democratic party panders to African Americans too much, but hey what are we going to do?  The Democratic party in the Philadelphia is factionalized into the following: African Americans, suburban/Center City progressives, and Northeast/South Philly union members.  If you were to put these groups into a room together, there would be massive chaos.  Example: the black and NE/South Philly Dems are relatively socially conservative and may not like gay marriage and abortion, but for the suburban/CC Dems, it's their core issues.  The pandering to the NAACP would not bode well to the suburban or union Dems but to North and West Philly, it's fine.  And on the economic issues, the Philly Dems would be on board, but to the progressives, it may not be such a big deal.  This is why the Democratic party is disorganized. 

We have the challenge of explaining our complex positions.  Our problem is our positions are not black and white.  Simple minded people like simple minded positions such as "pro-life" and "tax cuts."     

I'm not sure how against abortion the black community is. I know much of them are against gay marriage, but blacks have a disproportiantly higher unwanted pregnency rate than the rest of society, so wouldn't they be liberal somewhat on that issue? Poor inner-city people know first hand how damaging it can be to live in an unsupportive household.

Before we bash the hell out of the Kerry campaign, keep in mind that 150,000 votes and he is gonna get inagurated in 5 days.

[Akno21]

I know more blacks are pro-choice, but a surprisingly large number are very religious and pro-life, yet staunch Dems.   

I'm aware many are religous, I just would think they would have a pro-choice position, which the vast majority do anyway.

[Akno21]

I'm not sure how against abortion the black community is. I know much of them are against gay marriage, but blacks have a disproportiantly higher unwanted pregnency rate than the rest of society, so wouldn't they be liberal somewhat on that issue? Poor inner-city people know first hand how damaging it can be to live in an unsupportive household.

I imagine there is a huge difference between urban and rural blacks on this issue.  Your point about urban blacks and abortion is probably accurate.  Rural blacks, especially those in the south, are on the opposite side.  The positions on abortion that work with the black community in New Jersey or New York won't work in Arkansas and Virgina (or to a lesser extent, Ohio).

That makes sense. The Southern Black Democrat likely votes more on equality and economic matters, I would suppose.