Democrats Woo Values Voters

Conservatives have traditionally embraced religious issues, often giving Republicans the image of being the more "pro-God" party. But now some Democrats are fighting to change that image.

In the 2004 election, many voters cited "morals" along with candidate stances on issues like gay marriage and abortion as key to their election picks. These so-called "values voters" overwhelmingly backed President Bush, but Democrats insist that Republicans don't have a monopoly on morality.

"I don't think God is either a Democrat or a Republican," said California state Sen. Jack Scott (search), a Democrat. "The moral values that I really care deeply about is justice for the poor and peacemaking and so that's the reason that I wouldn't call the Republican Party the party of religion."

Last month, Democratic spiritual leaders gathered in Berkeley, Calif., to focus on resurrecting the American spiritual left. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (search) is bringing God back into the Democratic fold by adding a page on the party's Senate Web site aimed at religious voters.

But some Republicans are calling the effort a transparent attempt to sway Americans who don't respond to liberal politics.

"This really shows the desperation of the Democratic Party after their loss in November 2004," said California GOP spokeswoman Karen Hanretty (search). "They cannot appeal to the Christian right and to a lot of millions of voters throughout America who have a certain set of values."

Democrats insist this effort isn't new, and that strong, godly principles have always been abundantly clear in the party platform. Party leaders add that people can expect to see that awareness reflected in future Democratic outreach efforts.

Click in the box near the top of the story to watch a report by FOX News' Anita Vogel.