Democratic leaders support their more conservative members to retain control

Democrats abandon House progressives
As the election nears, the party throws its weight behind unreliable centrists
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press

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Grasping to keep control of Congress, Democratic leaders are turning their backs on some of their staunchest supporters in the House and propping up stronger candidates who have routinely defied them on health care, climate change and other major issues.

Raw politics -- the drive to win a House-majority 218 seats, no matter how -- is increasingly trumping policy and loyalty in these decisions, as Democrats shift money and attention in the closing days of the campaign toward races they can win and pull back from those seemingly lost.

The Democrats are shelling out $40 million in 59 congressional districts in the last three weeks of the campaign for TV advertising. Republicans, boosted by well-funded outside groups, are working to expand the political battleground by pouring money into 82 races next week alone.

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Democratic strategists acknowledge the tough decisions are based on harsh reality: If the party loses the House, all of its plans and Obama's would face major GOP roadblocks, so right now it's about scoring as many wins around the country as possible -- whether that benefits friends or foes of core party principles.