Knight-Ridder informs us that "Top Democrats won't attend anti-war rally in Washington". (For the backstory, see "ANSWER, UPJ, Cindy Sheehan, Code Pink, MoveOn to protest at White House September 24".)

However, two lesser lights will be attending: Reps. Cynthia McKinney (D-Saturn) and John Conyers (D-Neptune).

Those staying away include: Howard Dean, Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-Pantsuiton), Russell Feingold (D-Dairyland), and John Kerry (D-Martha's Vineyard, Aspen, and Vail).

It's surprising that they won't be showing up:

Today's leading Democrats head a party divided over the war, and many leaders are wary of standing with anti-war activists, who represent much of the party's base...

Even I won't go so far as to say that A.N.S.W.E.R. represents much of the party's base. Maybe 30% or even 40%, but in all likelihood not that much more than half. Although, three-quarters might be a possibility.

"The Democratic Party has an identity crisis on this issue. We need voices. We need leadership," [Tom Andrews, a former Democratic House member from Maine who's now the national director of Win Without War] said. "But fear is driving them."

Yes, it's called not wanting to be associated with North Korea supporters.

"[Howard 'The Scream' Dean's] views on the president's handling of the war in Iraq are well documented," [spokesman Josh Earnest] said. The anti-war rally, he said, is "not something the party was involved with."