the short list of brave politicians who have stood for American values lately

With all the attention we've given to politicians who have attacked the Muslim community center set to be built near Ground Zero in New York, let's take a different look at the story: A list of the Democratic politicians who have stood up in support of it.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) has come out in support of the center -- after Majority Leader Reid stated last week that it should be built somewhere else. "The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has given his assent to this center and I support his decision," Durbin said Sunday. "The politicians like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin who try to divide America with fear and hate over this issue betray the diversity which makes our nation great and the Constitution which they profess to honor."

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), the Democratic nominee for Senate and a retired Navy Vice Admiral, stated his support last week. "As you know, I haven't taken very good direction yet from party leadership," Sestak said. "All that said, I strongly believe in the Constitutional right of religious freedom and in the separation of church and state applied equally to everyone. Those are rights that I defended for 31 years in that fine U.S. Navy. This is an issue for New York to resolve as long as it respects those constitutional rights. Let's also step back and say, let's stop paying politics."

Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee for President Obama's former Senate seat in Illinois, has also come out in support: "Are we going to talk about tolerance, talk about freedom of religion or are we actually going to practice it?"

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) called the attacks against the center "one of the most disgraceful things that I've heard." As a former New York City resident, Franken explained to an Illinois crowd (and any opponents out there) just what the reality of this center would be: "I don't know how many of you have been to New York, but if a building is two blocks away from anything, you can't see it." Franken got in a joke, as well: "It's a community center. They're going to have a gym. They're going to have point guards. Muslim point guards."

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), who is in the middle of a tough re-election fight, proclaimed that the center's opponents are guilty of "gutter politics," and that the opposition to it is "one of the worst things I've ever seen done in politics."

"In the end I believe in freedom of religion," said Feingold. "If somebody owns property and it's within the zoning rules, if they want to build a house of worship that is a fundamental right. And I would make the point I am for freedom on this point, and freedom of religion is fundamental."

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has offered his support, saying that he's "kind of proud that they're sticking to their guns and saying this is where they would want to worship." Hmm, maybe "sticking to their guns" wasn't the right word choice -- but it's the thought that counts, right?

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim elected to Congress, stated strongly that the Democratic Party should stand for freedom of religion.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) also said: "While I understand some of the strong emotions this proposal has created, I believe that preventing the project from being built would run counter to our proud constitutional rights of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to assemble. I stand with many in our community, including Mayor Bloomberg and the local community board, in supporting the rights of the project's planners to build in lower Manhattan, which I believe will signal to the world that the terrorists will never be able to destroy the American traditions of openness and tolerance."

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), whose district includes Ground Zero, also said three weeks ago: "As an elected official who believes strongly in the separation of church and state, I contend that the government has no business deciding whether there should or should not be a Muslim house of worship near Ground Zero. And, as a representative of New Yorkers of all faiths and cultures, I find the singling out of Muslim-Americans -- because of their faith -- for animus and hate to be shameful and divisive. We should instead work toward building tolerance and understanding."

Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), the ex-Republican who is widely believed to be a potential vote for Democrats if he wins his Senate race, voiced his support the day after Obama's remarks. "We are a country in my view that stands for freedom of religion. You know, respect for others," Crist told CNN. "I know there are sensitivities and I understand that, but I think Mayor Bloomberg is right and I think the President is right."

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