I'm not looking forward to the mid-term elections, and not just because I expect Democratic losses. I'm struggling with how to make up my mind about how to vote. See, I don't get to vote for a Russ Feingold or an Alan Grayson. Here in Mississippi, Rep. Gene Taylor (D) is up for re-election. He happens to be one of the more conservative "blue dogs" around, and I have to decide whether I can stomach casting my vote for him.

Taylor consistently votes against reproductive rights for women and has a 0% rating from NARAL. Despite living in one of the poorest states in America, he voted against the stimulus. He voted against prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and for a federal marriage amendment. He record on civil liberties has earned him a 20% rating by the ACLU, and his record on gay rights has been appalling.

Not only is Taylor no progressive, but his record raises questions about the degree to which he agrees with the Democratic Party platform at all. Perhaps the best that can be said of him is that his voting record in some areas is that of a centrist, splitting votes along Republican and Democratic lines. So yes, he does occasionally vote with Democrats on some issues.

Is that enough of a reason to support him? Perhaps the real question is how much worse would Taylor's opponent, state Rep. Steven Palazzo, would be. I think he would indeed be worse. I guess I have to figure out whether there is enough of a difference to motivate me to vote for Taylor.

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