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But winning those voters would require the Democratic Party to cross its dominant, and well-funded, pro-choice wing -- something party leaders are not willing to do.

For example, earlier this year, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) asked DNC head Terry McAuliffe to simply put a link on the DNC web site to DFL's website. Even a token gesture like that was rejected.

So it's hardly surprising that a speaking role was out of the question.

"It would have been a nice refutation of the GOP's characterization of the Democratic Party" as too liberal, said Massachusetts Speaker of the House Tom Finneran.

One pro-life Democrat, Georgia Sen. Zell Miller, is getting a prime-time convention slot, only it's at the Republican convention.

At their private event Monday, the pro-life tried to ignore their party's snub and remain upbeat.

"Science is on our side," Finneran said. Ultrasound technology, with its ability to look inside the womb, is changing public opinion he said.

There are other reasons for pro-life Democrats to think they might yet emerge from the shadows. The decision of some Catholic bishops to refuse communion to pro-choice lawmakers has raised alarm bells in the party.

And then there's Kerry's recent claim that despite voting pro-choice, he is personally opposed to abortion.

"A lot of people say that," said Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life. "But he's never said that before."

UPDATE: During his pro-stem cell research speech Tuesday evening Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) appears to have snuck in an oblique pro-life reference.

He said: "I am fully committed to protecting life at every stage." According to Ms. Day, he's a pro-life Democrat.

topics:
Abortion, Law