Dennis Kucinich is the clear favorite among progressives responding to the most recent Democracy For America "Pulse Poll."
Democracy For America (DFA) is the organization of progressive Democrats who supported Howard Dean and it is currently headed by Dean's brother James H. Dean.
Kucinich = 31.97% 49,364 (1st place votes)
Gore = 24.77% 38,242
Edwards= 15.6% 24,078
Obama 13.86 21,403
Clinton 4.21 % 6,504
I think this is a fairly accurate rating and ranking of the candidates' "progressive index." (That is, except for Mike Gravel who is very progressive but with libertarian flavoring and just doesn't seem to have much support.)
Since the polling was done by ranking your top three choices the results graphic at DFA's website has the feature of removing candidates to see what would happen in various configurations of match ups. This is important as an educational tool to understand why we should have ranked-choice voting for all federal elections. That one piece of federal legislation would change the face of politics overnight.
DFA's statement and more below the fold.
I can't emphasize enough why ranked-choice voting is so important. When ranked-choice voting is used for multiple seat elections (for example electing 10 people from a region) it is called "Proportional voting" or "Proportional Representation voting." When only one candidate will be nominated in a primary or elected in a general election then ranked-choice voting is often called Instant Runoff Voting(IRV).
Only by having ranked-choice voting or Instant Runnoff Voting can we get out from under the main tool that the moneied intersts use to keep conrol of both the Democrat and Republican parties: the wasted vote syndrome. As long as we are forced to feel that voting our conscience is a wasted vote, we are forced to make the choice between who we actually prefer and who we prefer from among the leading horse race candidates, i.e., the least worst of those with the most money.
In other words, the wasted vote syndrome is the primary tool used by the plutocrats who have perverted American democracy into a two-party dictatorship by infitrating both parties and turning them into parodies of democracy where major constituencies, such as progressives, are left voiceless in the Democrat partiy.
Polls like this show over and over that the progressive Democrats want progressive leadership, but are forced to put up with the less progressive candidates.
That's my soap box. Here's the info on DFA and the poll.
Full results:
Candidate - % - Votes
Representative Dennis Kucinich 31.97% 49,364
Former Vice President Al Gore 24.77% 38,242
Former Senator John Edwards 15.6% 24,078
Senator Barack Obama 13.86% 21,403
Senator Hillary Clinton 4.21% 6,504
Governor Bill Richardson 4.09% 6,309
Other 2.05% 3,171
Senator Christopher Dodd 1.56% 2,415
Senator Joe Biden 1.12% 1,723
Former Senator Mike Gravel 0.77% 1,182
What is Democracy for America?
Inspired by the presidential campaign of Howard Dean, Democracy for America (DFA) is a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at all levels of government—from school board to the presidency. DFA fights against the influence of the far right-wing and their radical, divisive policies and the selfish special interests that for too long have dominated our politics.
DFA has a long-term goal to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up—it will take time, but we must start building a base now for the future.
Here's DFA's story about the poll:
The Results Are In
The results are in. I want to thank you for sending a loud and clear message to the business-as-usual Washington pundits. You have made it clear that the Democratic Presidential Primary is far more competitive than beltway insiders would have you believe.
With over 150,000 votes cast, the DFA Pulse Poll is the largest internet poll to date in the 2008 primary.
The political pundits and beltway Democrats have been claiming that the primaries are already over, but 95% of the votes cast prove they are wrong.
Progressive activists want clear positions on Iraq and Iran. They're concerned with the power of special interest money in elections, and they want straight talk on issues such as funding social security and presidential power. DFA members want a Presidential candidate who will fight for progressive values and are looking for the candidates who are committed to changing the way politics is conducted in America.
Take a look for yourself. Check out the interactive results now:
http://DemocracyforAmerica.com/...
We've heard from many of the candidates directly over the last three weeks.
Senator Barack Obama challenged DFA members to take the country forward in a new direction. Senator John Edwards demanded that as a DFA member himself, it is our time to take action together.
Governor Bill Richardson stood up for our brave men and women fighting for our country and pledged to bring every single troop home starting his first day in office. Senator Chris Dodd demanded we stop the Bush administration's abuse of power now and not wait for elections in 2008.
But no one worked harder to win your support then Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He made his progressive record on Iraq, universal health care, and the patriot act clear. He didn't just ask for your vote, he worked for the votes of your friends and neighbors. He asked his supporters to join DFA and vote to make sure you heard his message. He shot videos, issued press releases, and met with local DFA leaders and members all over the country to try and get your vote. And it worked.
Congressman Kucinich did not get the 66% required to earn the DFA Presidential Endorsement, but he did win our internet poll with an astounding 49,000 votes. Congratulations to Congressman Kucinich for working to win.
Check out the complete interactive results:
http://DemocracyforAmerica.com/...
For more analysis check out these posts from DFA staff:
Pulse Poll: Counting votes and Fake votes
By DFA Technology Director, Tim Watson
http://www.BlogforAmerica.com/...
The Power of the Draft Gore Movement
By DFA Political Director, Charles Chamberlain
http://www.BlogforAmerica.com/...
Organizers and the DFA Link Community: How they voted
By DFA Field Coordinator, Ilya Sheyman
http://www.blogforamerica.com/...
No candidate earned more than 66% needed to win the DFA Presidential Endorsement. However, if you haven't gotten involved in the campaign of your favorite candidate yet, please consider joining the first place campaign in your state.
This election is too important to sit on the side lines. No matter what candidate you support, please take action today.
Published on: November 06, 2007