Breaking news from PA2010.com:
After much speculation, former Gov. Tom Ridge today announced that he would not seek the GOP nomination for Senate next year.
Interpretation: In the Pennsylvania Senate race, the Republicans are basically toast.
Dems now face a choice: Do they want their nominee to be someone who in the last week opposed Employee Free Choice, opposed the Obama health care "public option," sided with bankers against homeowners, said Norm Coleman should be seated, and declared he would not be a loyal Democrat?
And if they want someone else, who?
Yesterday, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee partnered with OpenLeft, Daily Kos, Digby, CrooksAndLiars, The Pennsylvania Progressive, Keystone Progress, DFA, and others in announcing a grassroots Straw Poll on the question: "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?"
UPDATE: Thanks to all who put this on most recommended! Please continue the rec'ing so others can see.
Over 5,000 people have voted so far. The poll remains open until Monday morning at 10am EST.
On the poll page, we have opinions for and against a draft movement, written by local and national progressives. There is consensus by all that Specter is bad -- and that someone else would be desirable.
But one person questions whether it's worth the progressive movement's time, resources, and credibility to challenge the Rendell machine. Another argues forcefully that Sestak is not progressive enough. While others argue Sestak is the one person who could pull this off -- and that he's progressive enough.
Just today, in a local Pennsylvania paper, Sestak said he was aware of the Straw Poll. The more people vote, the more it will shape the environment in which he and others make their decision.
And my guess is that it matters whether the result is 55/45 or 90/10 or other. The only way any challenger can take on the party establishment is with overwhelming support by the grassroots.
So, the point of this poll is to allow the grassroots to weigh in on the most talked-about challenger to Specter, and help shape the political environment.
If you haven't voted yet, here's the place to do it. If you have, please feel free to tell others to weigh in at SestakPoll.com.