Now the dems is going to the center and to be non partisan will compromise right of center.
    [url] www.newhousenews.com/archive/story1a071801.html[/url]

     Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, chairman ofthe Democratic
     Leadership Council,right, along withSen. JosephLieberman of Connecticut, left, welcome Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, center, to the
     podium at the group's event this week in Indianapolis. (AP photo/Michael Conroy)

     INDIANAPOLIS -- Seeking to close a "culture gap" between their party and millions of voters, moderate Democratic leaders are writing [b]a
     manifesto that includes affirmation of the right to own guns and the importance of religion, fiscal responsibility, a strong
     national defense and the role of fathers in their families.[/b]

     These guys know they are in deep crapola.

I think you may be too cynical...or perhaps not cynical enough.  Most politicians are NOT ideologues.  Democrats, Republicans, whatever, most professional politicians just want to stay in office and will do whatever they think will keep them there.  Most of the Dem senators and congresscritters (not all, but most) are probably not anti-gun ideologues, they simply have been supporting the party line to please the special interest groups that support them.
If those groups seem to be losing ground politically among the population, the politicians will change their tune.

raf I don't know about Patrick, but if you buy Teddy enough alcohol, he'll go along with anything you want... [:D]