Contrary to snobby opinion, there is a difference between the two parties

Since Obama's McLurkin kerfuffle, there's been some discussion about what gay voters ought to expect from the two major parties here in the U.S.--see for example the first three comments here. Some claimed that the gay community can't expect much support from the Democratic party--gays are written off as loyal Democrats, so politicians won't feel they have to work for their vote. Thus, the reasoning goes, there's no real reason to blindly support them. Some people also bring up the fact that none of the major contenders for president in 2008, Democrat or Republican, support gay marriage as a way to show that there's not really so much of a difference between the two parties in terms of their policies towards gays.

But as Anton Ego probably wouldn't say, let's have some perspective here. The House just passed the Employee Non-Discrimination Bill; let's see how the vote went:

The 235-184 roll call Wednesday by which the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill.

Voting yes were 200 Democrats and 35 Republicans.

Voting no were 25 Democrats and 159 Republicans.