Kim Gandy: 'We don't need two Republican parties'

"Democratic Party efforts to recruit anti-abortion candidates and take a more moderate position on abortion drew fire Friday from Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women.

"She told activists at the Campaign for America's Future meeting that leading Democrats are trying too hard to redefine the party's stance on key issues.

"Leading Democrats, including New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who heads Democratic efforts to win seats in the Senate, and party chairman Dean have been overly eager to recruit supporters—and candidates—who don't support abortion choice, she said.

"In Pennsylvania, anti-abortion candidate Bob Casey Jr. is the front-runner among Democrats to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum.

"Phil Singer, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, rejected Gandy's criticism. 'We're focused on getting the best candidates to run in the 2006 races without any kind of litmus test,' Singer said. 'If Democrats lose seats this cycle, we'll see a fundamentally different America.'"

"Efforts by Democrats and others to blend religion and politics also drew Gandy's criticism. 'So many political leaders are trying to be Republican lite and they're being encouraged by the Democratic Party,' she said. 'Please, somebody tell them we don't need two Republican parties.'" ...