Kucinich Wins PDA Straw Poll: No Consensus candidate Nor Endorsement

Kucinich Wins PDA Straw Poll: No Consensus candidate Nor Endorsement
by Jonathan Nack
December 5, 2007

The Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), an organization working to increase progressive influence in the Democratic Party, has released the results of its poll of its members preference among Democratic Party candidates for President. Over 15,000 PDA activists voted in the presidential straw poll.

In summary, the results are: Dennis Kucinich (41%) and John Edwards (26%) -combined for more than 2/3 of the total vote. Only one other candidate -Barak Obama (13%)- made it into double digits. The rest were: Hillary Clinton (9%), Bill Richardson (5%), Joe Biden (3%), Chris Dodd (1%), Mike Gravel (less than 1%).

If PDA hoped to galvanize its members behind one candidate through this straw poll, it doesn't appear to have produced either a consensus or a viable strategy.

What is clear from the poll, is that neither Clinton (at 9%) nor Obama (at 13%), the two Democratic frontrinners, each of whom have described themselves as "progressive", are well favored among PDA members.

The PDA poll results are strikingly our of sync from polls of all Democrats. Kucinich, the winner of the PDA poll, usually registers only 1 or 2% among all Democrats. PDA thus reflects only a very small segment of the Democratic Party. PDA is a small fish swimming in the big pond of the Democratic Party. Their influence is correspondingly very small.

How small is PDA? The PDA poll results are even small by Green Party standards. The Green Party has 500,000 registered voters, of which 100,000 to 200,000 can be expected to vote in the Green primaries -far more than the 15,000 polled by PDA.

Which candidates and organizations represent the voice of "progressive" America, and even what the "progressive" agenda is, remains unclear and contested.

Below is the PDA release of their poll results to its members:

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA

Dear members,

Kucinich First, Edwards Second in PDA Straw Poll
http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2007-12-05-08-07-19-news.php

Not surprisingly in a field of eight contenders, no candidate came close to gaining a majority of the total vote in PDA's recently completed presidential straw poll. But two candidates--Dennis Kucinich (41%) and John Edwards (26%)--combined for more than 2/3 of the total vote. Over 15,000 PDA activists voted in the presidential straw poll. Full results here: https://www.pdamerica.org/polls/poll-report-print.html

PDA, for whom election protection is a key issue, made that a priority of this survey, adding extra layers of security to our online voting process in order to strengthen the integrity of the poll. We thank the members of the PDA community who participated in the poll--extra kudos to those who persevered after experiencing problems.

Now, please contact the campaign of your choice and volunteer your time and skills. And, remember to take the Progressive Agenda with you!

In peace and solidarity,

Tim Carpenter
National Director

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Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Extend the victory of Nov. 2006 into a permanent, progressive majority. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Cindy Sheehan and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: http://pdamerica.org