John Nichols: Rep. Jefferson hardly a Democrat

The DLC's man in Washington.

Madison Capital Times

Jefferson's has been one of the steadiest Democratic votes for the president's foreign policy agenda. He voted to authorize Bush to use force against Iraq, consistently supports emergency "supplemental" spending to maintain the occupation of that country, and favors deployment of the "Star Wars" Strategic Defense Initiative. He voted for the USA Patriot Act when it was rushed through Congress in 2001 and was a big backer of Vice President Cheney's national energy policy. And though his record on social issues is mixed, Jefferson has on a number of occasions cast his lot with the White House and its social-conservative allies to help enact restrictions on abortion, school prayer initiatives and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage...