All too often, the left takes the alliance between conservatives and the religious as a unchangeable fact, though in reality this is not the case (check out Jim Wallis' God's Politics for a more thorough discussion of this topic). As the AP's Suzanne Gamboa reports, for instance, religious groups have come out in opposition to a new GOP proposal on immigration.

Several faith-based groups oppose a Republican-sponsored immigration and border security bill that could move quickly through the House with a spending package for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The groups say the bill sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner proposes asylum law changes that would hurt refugees fleeing religious persecution and should be debated in full committee hearings.

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Richard Parkins, director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, said Sensenbrenner's asylum provisions are based on a false premise that the threat of terrorism is reduced by making asylum benefits less accessible.

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Other religious groups opposing the asylum changes are the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and World Relief, a program of the National Association of Evangelicals. They are joined by Human Rights First and Amnesty International.

It is imperative to the ultimate success of the Democratic party for liberals and progressives to be willing to align with the religious right when possible, and the issue of immigration appears to be one upon which the groups can find agreement. The two-party system in this country does not need to be based on religiosity, nor does abortion have to be the only issue that matters to the pious. If the left can reach out on immigration, care for the downtrodden and hungry, and other such issues, the Republicans' already tottering 51% majority will melt away.