Can Mormons be Democrats?

This exact question was posed to President Gordon B. Hinkley:

Q. Given the platform and positions taken by the Democratic Party, can you be a good church member and a Democrat?
A. Yes...I don't know why you couldn't...We've got lots of Democrats in the church, lots of them, and they are good people. I don't worry about that. --President Gordon B. Hinckley, National Press Club on March 8, 2000.

President Hugh B Brown, himself a Democrat, said:

“First I would like you to be reassured that the leaders of both major political parties in this land are men of integrity and unquestioned patriotism. Beware of those who feel obliged to prove their own patriotism by calling into question the loyalty of others. Be skeptical of those who attempt to demonstrate their love of country by demeaning its institutions. Know that men of both major political parties who bear the nation’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches are men of unquestioned loyalty and we should stand by and support them, and this refers not only to one party but to all. Strive to develop a maturity of mind and emotion and a depth of spirit which enables you to differ with others on matters of politics without calling into question the integrity of those with whom you differ. Allow within the bounds of your definition of religious orthodoxy variation of political belief. Do not have the temerity to dogmatize on issues where the Lord has seen fit to be silent.” (Commencement address, Brigham Young University, May 31, 1968. Quoted in Ensign, Oct 1972)

One of the most influential member's of our congress today, Senator Reid:

Since Nevadans elected him to the Senate in 1986, Harry Reid has developed a reputation as a straight-shooter who can build bipartisan consensus. In December of 1998, after being re-elected for a third term, Nevada's Senior Senator was unanimously elected by his Democratic colleagues to serve as the Assistant Democratic Leader or "whip." He is the right-hand advisor to the Minority Leader, Tom Daschle and is often at the helm of national issues that require the expertise of a trusted statesman.

I particularly like this quote by Senator Reid:

"The only aggravation I've had in politics as a member of the church has come from within the church,'' says Reid, the only Democratic member of Congress who belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.``Some people in the church write me letters about what a bad person I am; they've really tried to damage me.''

One particular GA, Elder Marlin Jensen, said this:

"One of the things that prompted this discussion in the first place was the regret that's felt about the decline of the Democratic Party [in Utah] and the notion that may prevail in some areas that you can't be a good Mormon and a good Democrat at the same time. There have been some awfully good men and women who have been both and are both today. So I think it would be a very healthy thing for the church -- particularly the Utah church -- if that notion could be obliterated.''