You may have seen Seneca Doane's diary reporting that I'm the strongest runner-up in California's historic "top two" US Senate primary on June 5th, where that runner-up actually gets on the November ballot alongside Dianne Feinstein. Several commenters had already voted for me, including some who decided to upon reading the diary.
Meanwhile, the Levitt 2012 campaign is surging into that second winning spot. You can check out the informative statistics in this article to confirm it. Or visit the Levitt2012 campaign on Facebook, where supporters are 4x more engaged than the endorsed GOP "frontrunner" - who was last seen polling at 2% - and where Levitt's about to pass her in Fans despite a small fraction of her campaign funding.
Our campaign is bringing out progressives with a "Bring the Troops Home, End Prohibition, Medicare for All, Rebuild the Dream" message that especially resonates with 18-24 year olds, furious about the federal raids thrusting California into the middle of a misguided, Feinstein-approved federal war on marijuana, despite our medical cannabis law. Many are voting for the first time, and they're marking David Alex Levitt on their ballots.
I just discovered stunning support from MoveOn progressives that I didn't know we had. Examples below the fold - get ready to scroll.
Our greatest obstacle: groups of progressives like the Daily Kos that haven't been tracking this race or taking it seriously - folks who report voting for Feinstein because they didn't know a progressive Democrat was running, or not voting for any US Senate candidate, or voting for Orly Taitz as a joke - instead of discovering and sharing this historic opportunity to - rather than the usual "lesser evil" - Vote for What We Want. That's the theme of this brief campaign video.
We progressive Democrats just need to take the race seriously.
Please promote this diary and help dissolve the cynicism so the Daily Kos, instead of an obstacle, becomes an ally in a progressive computer scientist's challenge to the system. With your help 36 million California citizens have a chance for a progressive - instead of a Republican - debating Senator Feinstein this summer and fall - and on November's ballot. Let's make it happen.
As explained in that background article, this is an unusual, historic race with brand new rules and very few polls.
Endorsed GOP frontrunner Emken has never won a race in her life and was last seen polling at 2%. In the only other poll, of just Republicans, she was tied for last place - trailing far behind birther Orly Taitz. The other 13 Republicans have no ideas other than cutting taxes, wiping out the Department of Education, and jealously attacking Emken. That's who's splitting the red vote in California, which was 37% of voters back in 2008.
NONE of them was polling at more than 2%. A progressive Democrat who earns 4 to 5% might even beat them all. No Joke.
Yesterday we started seeing the MoveOn Progressives recommendations. Many participants were clearly horrified that anyone would claim Senator Feinstein was a progressive. It was clear most had carefully read Levitt2012.org campaign material and endorsed our platform wholeheartedly. I'll end this post with some of their quotes. Stand up for those progressive voters here!
Kossacks - it's not too late to make an important contribution. I strongly urge California Kossacks to visit the MoveOn Progressive Ballot Guide site - if you weigh in, mideast and drug warrior Feinstein will be toppled from a "progressive" perch where most agree she doesn't belong. And if you're outside California (or earning forgiveness for writing in Feinstein or Orly Taitz on an absentee ballot) - you can Like us on Facebook, Contribute to the campaign, and especially, tell your California voter friends they can make a difference in this unpredictable, historic race.
MoveOn Progressive Ballot Guide recommendations (partial list):
U.S. Senator — Your vote: David Levitt
“He will work to end the wars, create jobs, preserve civil and human rights, protect the environment, and get rid of corporate influence over our government and lives. David will get this done. He's not wealthy and isn't owned by big defense contractors as Feinstein is.”
—Cynthia P., Berkeley
“Read up on his issues. He's a real progressive, not like PIPA-supporting Feinstein.”
—Eric T., San Diego
“Levitt advocates a swift exit from Afghanistan, an end to the federal war on medical marijuana, and single-payer Medicare for all.”
—Rod M., Los Angeles
“I trust him”
—Michael R., Rancho Cordova
“Dianne Feinstein is a corporate Democrat who needs a wake-up call, David Levitt is a true progressive and could actually serve if elected. He's not just a protest candidate.”
—Deborah G., Los Gatos
“Feinstein isn’t a progressive and is the Dem that let both Alito and Roberts out of committee to become Supreme Court Justices. Levitt wants to legalize weed, end the wars and medicare for all.”
—Marc B., Los Angeles
For U.S. Senator — Your vote: David Levitt
“Feinstein is bluer dog than a drowned dog”
—Larry C., Glendale
“Dianne Feinstein has disappointed me so many times in the past that I can not support her.”
—Christine T., Los Angeles
“Smart Activist Progressive”—Matt F., San Diego
“Medicare for All. End all Wars,” —James H., Santa Fe Springs
“He is incredibly articulate, well educated (PhD from MIT), and is committed to clarity and reason. He's behind ending the wars and other key progressive ideas, as compared to Feinstein who is a corporate tool.”—Anant S., Berkeley
“Has made a strong statement in favor of cannabis legalization” —Jeff B., Sacramento
“He presents a logical and positive approach to problem-solving that's far more progressive than Feinstein yet far less divisive than many of the other candidates.”
“He is a progressive Democrat. With the new open primary we can have two Democrats on the ballot in November. Feinstein is a lock to make the November ballot. Levitt gives us a progressive alternative. He will speak for us and not the corporations.”—Geo. M., Long Beach
“End Afghanistan, End Prohibition, Medicare for all!”—Kenny M., Los Altos
“He supports the legalisation of marijuana, does not support the war in Afghanistan, wants the country to provide Medicare for everyone, and supports the Occupy movement. He wants to take corporations out of politics.”—Tabitha., San Diego
“We need a younger, more progressive voice in the Senate.”—Sheldon R., Calabasas
“I like where he stands on just about every issue. He seems honest, up front, and gregarious. In contrast, I've never been fond of many of Feinstein's positions.”—Ferdinanda F., Vallejo
“ because David Levitt is anti-prohibition and thus is for ending the U.S.'s failed and destructive "War on Drugs." At the same time, he supports Women's right to choose, ending the war in Afghanistan, and, in general, supports human rights and freedom issues as described in our Bill of Rights. It's very rare for a candidate to be consistent on freedom issues. David Levitt is. ” —Clairice V., Encino
“Feinstein is hardly a progressive - she's a Washington insider who'll vote her own interests in spite of her constituents' demands. David Levitt will be just as strong on Women's Rights but stronger on holding Wall Street to task than Feinstein.” —Jill K., Redondo Beach
“He is part of Occupy Government. He wants to change things, and DiFi is just same-old same-old.” —Brendan D., Bakersfield
“"Supports marriage equality, legalization and regulation of marijuana, ending the war in Afghanistan and science!"”—Benjamin E., Rio Linda
“Smart, progressive and not a sell out like DiFi.” —Dorothy L., Corte Madera
“from what i have seen - he will be good for california. and the nation -” —Robin J., Cathedral City
“Dianne Feinstein is a corporate democrat. She voted for the Iraq War and profited from it by routing government money to her husband's firm. David Levitt, founding director of OccupyGovernment.org, would be a far more progressive voice for California in Congress.”
—William C., Sherman Oaks
“Feinstein has voted against my interests too many times. David Levitt is a computer scientist, and we need more intelligent people in office. Science is Important.” —Devyn D., La Puente
“best person for the job!” —Donald R., Milpitas
“Because his three primary policy goals are: (1)end the War in Afghanistan,(2)end Prohibition, and (3)Medicare for all. The end of Prohibition, in particular, would reduce our prison population, lower the disparity of race and class in the penal system, cut law enforcement and court costs by a large margin, reduce the violence of drug gangs both here and in other countries, and stop the injustices of punishing people who are either responsible users or who need help with addiction. It might help restore some of our rights sto privacy as well.” —JACKIE W., El Cerrito
“He supports an end to the war in Afghanistan, he supports California's medical marijuana laws and opposes federal intervention, he supports free speech on the internet and opposes SOPA/PIPA/CISPA, and he supports truly universal healthcare by extending Medicare to all.”
—Jesse M., Sunnyvale
“He's a real Democrat who supports Democratic issues and policies. Senator Feinstein is a Blue Dog that cannot be trusted to make Social Security and Medicare remain intact for everyone!” —Gina M., Sacramento
“He has a truly progressive, anti-war, pro-jobs agenda, as opposed to the incumbent.”
—Harvey F., Santa Monica
“Dianne Feinstein has shown that she isn't all that progressive. We should be assisting real progressives who can stand up against corporate profits and the war machine.”
—Maxime P., Mill Valley
“Feinstein is progressive on, what, an issue or two? Frankly, I'm tired of calling and picketing her office to get her to do the right thing. Levitt is smart, truly progressive, and a refreshing alternative.” —Holly J., Petaluma
“PhD in Science from MIT and Silicon Valley innovator. We need scientists in government to meet the tech challenges we face.”—Shan R., Castro Valley