Unlike Republicans, Democrats have traditionally been tolerant of diverse views, a big tent party.  However, leftwing Democrats are trying to intimidate candidates like Stewart to adopt stances on issues like gay marriage that would essentially relegate them to the role of a nuisance candidate in culturally conservative districts like the one that Stewart is trying to win.  They don't seem to care that such a candidate will vote their way on many economic and other issues.

Blue dogs and more culturally traditional Democrats lost in 2010 largely because they were running in swing or Republican leaning districts and in a Party that had a more liberal image than two years before.

If Democrats are ever to win a majority in the House, it will be because moderate and moderately conservative Democrats are winning these districts.  Eric Stewart is exactly right in charting such a course and I applaud him for taking stances that may not be popular with the wine and cheese crowd but can resonate in District 4.