February MyDD Straw Poll

The straw poll is back! Go vote now.

I have decided to use exactly the same formula as the Dailykos straw poll, so as to develop a long-term trendline as well as a crude cross-tab set. Gore won't be included until he makes much more serious noise about running, but I do have an "other" option for those people who are working on a draft movement of any sort. If Clark hasn't declared at least an exploratory committee by March, he will be removed from the poll as well.

As always, please refrain from stuffing. I will know when the stuffing occurs, and I don't want to have to call out someone's supporters for ruining all of the fun of these polls. The poll expires at midnight. You can follow the results here.

Vote

Update: And yes, just so we are clear, this is meant to be a poll of MyDD readers. If I had my druthers, it would be impossible to vote unless you were signed in, and ever user name would only allowed to vote once.

Update 2: Get bent, Dodd, Vilsack and Kucinich stuffers. I've just excluded both of them from the poll. Of course, it could be supporters of another candidate stuffing on their behalf, like the Bayh people did three months ago.

Update 3: Clearly it wasn't the fault of Dodd, Kucinich or Vilsack supporters. Someone just wanted to ruin the entire poll. I shut it down. A new solution is needed.



Display:


stuffing (none / 0)

I truly want to see what you're going to do when someone sends a message to the 250,000-person facebook group Obama has. I'll admit this is somewhat sour grapes, but your whole "stuffing" concept is faulty. Anyway, trying to be constructive about this, you should make it clear that this is a poll of MyDD readers. Your headline doesn't accomplish it.


by blueflorida on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:10:10 PM EST

Re: stuffing (3.00 / 1)

I'll regret not posting this poll on MyDD--that's what I'll do. That is the sort of stuffing I could live with--the kind that vastly improves MyDD's traffic.
by Chris Bowers on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:12:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

your default candidate listing (none / 0)

should probably have other/undecided at the top with the well known candidates in the middle..

I noticed the default arrangement had some weak bias.


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:17:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: your default candidate listing (3.00 / 1)

The choices are listed randomly for each new voter.
by Chris Bowers on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:39:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: stuffing (none / 0)

As long as you acknowledge it as stuffing, fair enough.


by blueflorida on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:23:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Is there an honor (none / 0)

code by which we promise to vote only once? Cause I gotta say I'm itching to go again.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:28:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is there an honor (3.00 / 1)

I reckon there is ... but I'd prefer if this optional preferential poll voting was set up onsite so that it could be one registered MyDD user, one vote.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:35:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the early (none / 0)

snapshot is probably the most accurate.. you can probably tell if/when stuffing occurs


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:37:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Early snapshot most accurate (none / 0)

I agree;probably the mydd regulars stopping by as they are wont to do during the day( speaking for myself anyway)

After I voted and checked the results it certainly seemed as if the early vote reflected the daily conversation around here as of 12:42 pm anyway


by merbex on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:42:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I have an image (none / 0)

of Stoller in a room with seven computers, maniacally voting for Clark on all of them.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:47:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I have an image (none / 0)

Not only that, you have Brian Lutz with 7 and obama, Tarheel with Edwards and Francis with CLinton... Although given her low numbers, he must only have 1 or 2 PCs.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:08:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I only voted once (none / 0)

and I ranked Obama #3 I think.. Hillary way down...  (think I had other as #2)

basically the netroots will split equally between Obama and Edwards...

if I understood the poll as of about an hour ago the Richardson, Clark, and other voters all split equally between Edwards and Obama.

 I'm open to a coin toss for that ticket... now if only Axelrod and Bonior would think about it.


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:48:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I only voted once (none / 0)

It was a joke... Just picking on the more outspoken supporters of various candidates on mydd.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:09:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

don't worry (none / 0)

I won't go BrionLuntz on you.


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:54:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: stuffing (3.00 / 1)

What about the devastating effect of the Joe Biden facebook group?

How is it not clear this is a poll of MyDD readers?


by Baldrick on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:13:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: stuffing (3.00 / 1)

Right now, it would be easy for a casual visitor to assume that this is simply a poll sponsored by MyDD, not one exclusive to consistent readers of the site.


by blueflorida on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:16:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: stuffing (none / 0)

Of course if said Facebook groups were to JOIN Mydd, then they would be legit voters.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:02:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Who puts Biden above Clinton? Granted, they're both low on my list, but Biden first? That's just mean.


by BingoL on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:12:25 PM EST

I know it's only a select blogosphere (none / 0)

poll but I'm surprised at how low Vilsack is...

will he still be running in 6 monts?


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:20:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know it's only a select blogosphere (none / 0)

Yeah, a boring moderate supporter of the Iraq War. Shocking he's not setting the sphere on fire.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:26:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know it's only a select blogosphere (3.00 / 1)

I'm not really sure how his campaign might catch fire. Even if he wins Iowa ...

That said, have you ever read 'teacherken' on dailyKos? He's a Vilsack supporter, and is the most visible blog-type I know who makes the V case. Maybe his Vim, Vigor, and Verve will start to spread.


by BingoL on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:39:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Vilsak (none / 0)

He's low on my list, but I like him.  I lived in Iowa, and when he beat in an upset one of those prototypical GOP Gingrich-like turds to become governor, it was one of the rare moments of happiness in an otherwise dismal past decade of elections.  


by magster on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:07:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know it's only a select blogosphere (none / 0)

I'm sorta surprised, too. He's done a lot of outreach, but he doesn't seem to be catching anything.

To me, the biggest news/surprise of this is Bill Richardson moving into a solid third place. The Edwards/Obama duo as 1/2 has been the rule for a while, but Richardson taking a solid third seems new.

Of course, I say that as someone who's pretty much moved into the Richardson supporter column (the coveted BriVT endorsement announcement right here!). But, still ... seems meaningful.

As an aside, I don't think the "instant runoff" style voting is relevant to the primary dynamic. Almost no one here will have to make the decision between the two guys. It'll either be choosing among all the candidates in the run-up to the primaries, voting in an early state with nearly the full slate still running, or casting a meaningless ballot and working for the nominee.


by BriVT on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:38:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ooh, ooh, ooh, call me Mr. Kotter. (none / 0)

I would put a yellow dog in front of Clinton!

what can I say? Just not a big fan.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:38:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ooh, ooh, ooh, call me Mr. Kotter. (none / 0)

A yellow dog, sure, but Biden? In what way is he preferable to Clinton? I can't think of a single one.

Hm. No, scratch that. There is one thing about Biden I much prefer to Clinton: he has no change of getting the nomination!


by BingoL on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:42:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ooh, ooh, ooh, call me Mr. Kotter. (none / 0)

I could go to sleep listening to Biden giving a speech. Clinton would keep me awake. That's number one (these are in descending order of importance).

Plus I like the way that he has slid from his original partition plan and taken his position in a direction that is coming closer and closer to my "Battle for Civilization" diaries on dKos and the JEFP supporters blog. That's number two.

Other than that, both in the pocket of the finance sector, but if I have to choose between Wall Street and Big Banks, I'll hold my nose and pick Big Banks. That's number three.

Mind you, this is an 11 v 12 decision we are talking about here. "Unsure" was in front of either.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:52:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ooh, ooh, ooh, call me Mr. Kotter. (3.00 / 1)

Hey, 'Unsure' is Number One!

Sheesh. That's all I ever hear on the blog, how much everyone hates Unsure. All you damn haters. Just read his book!


by BingoL on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:20:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

"Who puts Biden above Clinton?

Only one person, it seems- at least so far...


TheDailyBackground.com
by remove on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:13:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

It's possible that lots of people did, but since he gets eliminated after the first round we'll never know.  The real question is, who put Biden above EVERYONE else?

Full Disclose:
I put Biden before Clinton, but they both were 6 or below so does it really matter once they're that low?


by maddogg on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:34:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

You dont have to rank someone that you wouldnt support.  You can vote with just one candidate ranked.  


John McCain loves war.
by Winston Smith on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 10:19:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (3.00 / 1)

I'd support any of the Democratic nominees over John "surge" McCain.


by maddogg on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 11:00:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Wow, so far Obama is improving greatly on these straw polls.  As of now 2nd place and only about 4 votes shy of winning.  


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:15:19 PM EST

I think as it becomes (3.00 / 1)

clear you have 1 of 3 realistic choices, the ant-hillary vote will be split more or less evenly.


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:18:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think as it becomes (none / 0)

That's a fair statement.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:03:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think as it becomes (none / 0)

But more importantly over a very long campaign, with two candidates to collect anti-Hillary votes, out in the primary electorate as a whole there is quite a lot of time for both to eat into her support, from different angles.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:54:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm guessing (none / 0)

Gore will get in. Has anyone who wanted to be president at one time ever changed his mind?

His entry into the race-in September, I'm guessing-will really shake things up. From which of the big three will he take the most support?


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:25:04 PM EST

He MIGHT step in if it (3.00 / 2)

looks like hillary is dominating.

if obama or edwards is up I really doubt Gore would want to get in the mudpit


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:27:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm guessing (none / 0)

Gore hurts everybody, but I think he has the biggest impact on fundraising for Edwards, and on political support in the early states for Obama.


by blueflorida on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:34:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Giving Up (none / 0)

Ted Kennedy took the plunge in 1980 and that was it,a one timer.  Bill Bradley was a one timer in 2000. Ed Muskie in 1968. Other than that, one has to come up with some pretty obscure candidates like Stuart Symington in 1960 and (maybe) Scoop Jackson in 1976. Republican one-timers would include Bill Scranton (1964), George Romney (1968), Liddy Dole (2000), Dan Quayle (2000) plus, I guess, John Connelly and Phil Gramm.  Didn't Lamar Alexander run at least twice?


by David Kowalski on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:25:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Giving Up (none / 0)

Thanks for the info. But Gore has already run more than once.
In any case, he remains interested, viable, and relatively young.

jesus, I forgot that Liddy Dole ran; what a disaster she was.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:42:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm guessing (none / 0)

But by all accounts he never really wanted to run in the first place - he just thought it was expected of him.


by Baldrick on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:56:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (3.00 / 1)

They polls are fun and maybe the stuffing with help MyDD.  What they mean is very unclear.  But fun does not always have to mean anything.


by littafi on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:26:48 PM EST

Straw Polls don't have to mean ... (3.00 / 1)

... anything, that's why they're Straw Polls (to paraphrase the recent movie version of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:40:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (3.00 / 1)

I'm surprised Clark is getting so little support these days.

I wonder how many people, like myself, think the world of General Clark but kinda shrug him off because it seems so unlikely that he'll get oxygen with so many superstars in the race.


"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman
by Steve M on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:34:17 PM EST

Clark supporters (none / 0)

will get here soon, I suspect. They just don't know about it yet.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:49:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I wonder how many people, like myself, think the world of General Clark but kinda shrug him off because it seems so unlikely that he'll get oxygen with so many superstars in the race.

I think very highly of Clark as a person and a possible public official. I'm not crazy about him as a campaigner, and the delay in getting in makes me wonder how well he's learned from 2004. About a week ago, I realized I wasn't as excited about a potential Clark campaign as I expected to be, and I think this is why. I'd be thrilled if he proved me wrong.


by Dave Thomer on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:45:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ditto (3.00 / 1)

I flipped from Clark to Obama this time around.  The big kicker was watched the speeches at the recent DNC meeting--80+% of Clark's speech was about soliders and war.  I think Clark is running for Secretary of State (or maybe Defense), not for president.  Otherwise he'd have been laying out more of an agenda and a broader vision.


Get a Vegetarian Starter Kit and a Dem. Party Mastercard
by Go Vegetarian on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:15:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ditto (none / 0)

I'd be more happy with him as SoD than as SoS. Of course, I'd like Gore for SoS if he doesn't already have a higher position in the WH.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:56:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I totally agree, I like Clark and I think he's got a better shot nationally then either Hillary or Obama. It just doesn't seem like he's running.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 06:58:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Why is Clark included and not Gore? Did he declare?


by inexile on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 12:59:25 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I think it is because he was included at the winter meetings.  Chris said he is gone if he hasn't set up an exploratory by march.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:05:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

He also has an active politcal action committee that is raising money.  Chris has said this is one of the criteria that uses to determine if a candidate will eventually declare.  


John McCain loves war.
by Winston Smith on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 10:22:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Ok I missed this, but what does it mean,

"If Clark has declared at least an exploratory committee by March, he will be removed from the poll as well."

and if it means "hasn't declared by March, "why the two standards?
by inexile on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:05:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

He meant hasn't


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:06:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (3.00 / 1)

You just have to learn to reinterpret the words on the screen to what Chris was actually thinking.  After a while, they don't look like typos anymore, you're just reading directly from Chris's mind.


Rudy Giuliani hates firefighters. And puppies.
by Fran for Dean on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:11:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

OK I'm running a few seconds late on the posts.
by inexile on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:06:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I'm assuming Other is Gore for most people (my #2 was other).  I'm surprised it isn't getting higher support.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:06:12 PM EST

I used other for a different concept (none / 0)

IF Gore ran, he'd be my first choice, but since he hasn't actively declared yet it feels, for lack of a better term, intellectually dishonest for me to vote for him as "Other" in a straw poll.
For me, I used the choice of "Other" to mean "generic Democrat".  I had a group of candidates above that point that I could be genuinely enthusiastic about and a group below that point that   where I would prefer to see a "generic" Democrat win the nomination rather than the named candidate.
by LSdemocrat1 on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:31:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I used other for a different concept (3.00 / 1)

I voted for Other, and I meant Gore.


by Baldrick on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:58:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I used other for a different concept (none / 0)

Actually, it might be worth differentiating "Other" from "Generic Democrat" - or is that adding too many complications?


by Baldrick on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:59:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It would remove the consistency with the dKos ... (none / 0)

... Straw Poll ... which was just introduced!

No way to get into pointless discussions of how the results are different with preferential versus first past the post voting unless the two polls are lined up for a couple of months.


*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog
by BruceMcF on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:57:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

so did I but (none / 0)

at #2


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:56:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

obama (3.00 / 1)

I have been voting for Richardson here and at kos for a year now.  A small number of us have kept him at 4-6%.

But I went with obama this time.

I like Obama because he represents a new generation of democrats.  He has no ties to the good ole back room in DC that the clintons, dodd, biden, kennedy, liberman, all hang out in.  I am sure that Richardson and Clark are part of that club when they are in town.

Edwards is great on the issues.  But who would you think knows more about poverty: Edwards and his think tank, or Obama the former community organizer?.

Obama's appeal for me includes the fact that mainstream america seems to like him-- a young black man--go figure.


by aiko on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:12:17 PM EST

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

If Obama cares so much about poverty, then why hasn't he made it a central part of his campaign?

Oh, that's right, there is no central part of Obama's campaign other than Obama (and maybe facebook).


Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards
by philgoblue on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:49:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

Ah yes the bitterness shows its ugly head.  Do some research before making stupid statements.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:12:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

I did some research, I looked at his first, or second announcement where he said "this can't only be about me."  So, apparently, it is in large part about him.  Sorry, spin it how you like, but those are his words, not mine.


Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards
by philgoblue on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:26:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

Look at his website, proposed legislation, book, etc.  You either don't care to look or just are not smart enough to understand any of it.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:58:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

Whatev.  It's a matter of emphasis.
Anyone can put up a bunch of white papers on a website.  What does he say on the stump!
Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards
by philgoblue on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 07:58:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (3.00 / 1)

Early on he made his career in community organizing and as a civil rights attorney. Those were two of the greatest steps to ensuring equality and ending poverty where he was from.

As a state Senator and a United States Senator, Obama has supported progressive policies that help strengthen the middle class.

That seems damn good to me.


by faithfull on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:31:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards (none / 0)

Thanks.

Community organizing is damn hard work.  It is an impressive job choice imho.


by aiko on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:06:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: obama (3.00 / 1)

It seems like Edwards does know a great deal about poverty. The Edwards family has been knee deep in their community. They've donated to numerous shelters, worked with Habitat for Humanity, started two after school programs/computer labs for kids who couldn't afford a computer or tutoring. Elizabeth spent everyday for two years tutoring kids for free. Edwards started a college for everyone program in N.C. where a lot of poor high school students were given one free year of tuition at a state college. Edwards also has proposed his stepping stones job program which would take in 1 million people each year who are unemployed and set them up with city/parks jobs. This program could really help alleviate poverty. He is also heavily involved with strengthening and expanding the unions which could also help alleviate poverty. I could go on and on, the point is Edwards would be great in dealing with poverty, it's something he understands.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 07:06:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: obama (none / 0)

I agree and I have been impressed with Edwards poverty focus.  And I don't think any other candidate can or has matched it.

My point was only that I does seem likely that Obama would have unique sensitivies to the poverty issue--given his life experiences--even if it is not one of his primary issue.  


by aiko on Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 03:17:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You should put a multi-vote poll with this (3.00 / 1)

diary. Ask folks to vote in both places and compare the number of voters and votes. It would be fun to see. Make a note to yourself to do it in March!


Jeff Wegerson - PrairieStateBlue
by wegerje on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:20:34 PM EST

I voted for Edwards (3.00 / 1)

for two primary reasons:

-- He advocates a class-based populism that I think is the right message politically and morally

--He has thoroughly rejected balanced-budget fetisizing, corporate-backed Rubinomics (which Obama at this point has not done.)

I welcome your disagreement.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:30:31 PM EST

Re: I voted for Edwards (3.00 / 1)

Please don't get my hopes up-
"He has thoroughly rejected balanced-budget fetisizing, corporate-backed Rubinomics"

Source?  Please?


"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR
by jallen on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:46:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I voted for Edwards (none / 0)

Below is an Ezra Klein post in which he discusses Edwards's clear support for an activist government that places social programs above a balanced budget and bravely acknowlegdes that you can't have it all. Edwards also readily says he's gonna raise taxes to pay for his programs. I wish Edwards's foreign policy were bolder, but on domestic issues, he's become a bold thinker and truth-teller. And more generally, he's become Labor's candidate. You can't be the candidate of both Labor and Corporations.

http://ezraklein.typepad.com/blog/2006/1 2/edwards_vs_defi.html


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:59:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Edwards at his best (none / 0)

Here's what Edwards said at a townhall in Iowa--this is why I think he's an exciting candidate:

"I think that, if we're honest, you cannot it, it's just common sense in the math, have universal health care, and invest in energy, and make a serious effort to eliminate poverty, to strengthen the middle class, and do some of the work that I think America needs to be leading on around the world, and at the same time, eliminate the deficit. Those things are incompatible. And anybody who claims -- politicians who say 'I'm going to give you a big tax cut, and give you health care, put more money into education, and oh by the way, we're going to balance the budget in the process,' it's just make-believe, it isn't the truth. So I think there's gonna be hard judgments that have to be made -- my commitment is to have universal health care, to do things that have to be done about this energy situation and global warming, because I think they're enormous threats, not only to the people of America but to the future of the world, for America to lead on some of these big moral issues that face the world, and I think America has to do something about poverty, I just do. Those are higher priorities to me than the elimination of the deficit."


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:03:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (3.00 / 1)

Going back to Keynesian policies, are we?
This is definitely better than what I've seen form the others.  Then again, their supporters don't seem to care about economics.
"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR
by jallen on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:15:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (none / 0)

You can't go back no matter how bad you want to.


by aiko on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:10:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (none / 0)

Unless salaries can be guarenteed raised dramatically, Tax increases need to be held to a minimum... or just imposed on those making $200K or above.  The working class is screwed as it is to see their taxes increased dramatically ... NOT SAYING EDWARDS PROPOSED THAT, mind you... just that the OP seems to favor it, unless I am misunderstanding their post.  Balanced Budgets are not a bad thing... going into heavy debt is a terrible thing.  Instead of raising taxes across the board, lets balance the budget by actually distributing the tax dollars in a way that all the special interests aren't raping us, we can pay for Social Security and Healthcare and we aren't spending more than the entire world COMBINED on defense... Stop paying the Halliburtons of the world, put the money into better body armor and higher pay for the troops and stop pissing away all the governments money on R and D.  If we need money to pay for Social Security and Healthcare then remove the cap from the current collection and use that money to shore up SS and help pay for healthcare.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 04:07:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (none / 0)

Here is Edwards on this very subject, on Meet the Press. (And note how very interested Russert is in hearing the details.)

MR. RUSSERT: Would you be willing to raise taxes in order to help pay for this?

SEN. EDWARDS: Yes, we'll have to raise taxes. The, the only way you can pay for a health care plan, from 90--that costs anywhere from $90 billion to $120 billion is there has to be a revenue source. The revenue source for paying for the plan that I'm proposing is, is first we get rid of George Bush's tax cuts for people who make over $200,000 a year. This plan, in and of itself, creates some efficiencies and helps to reduce the cost of health care globally in America. And then, finally, we need to do a much better job of collecting the taxes that are--that are already owed. And a very specific example of something we should do, we should have brokerage houses report the capital gains that, that people are incurring, because we're losing billions and billions of dollars in tax revenue, and billions and billions of dollars from capital gains not being reported.

MR. RUSSERT: But you'd be willing to increase taxes to provide health care?

SEN. EDWARDS: Yes, absolutely.


Keep it short. DemocraticShortList.com
by Rob in Vermont on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 04:26:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (none / 0)

Right after the MTP interview Tucker Carlson was saying how horrible it is that Edwards would raise taxes on people who make 200,000 or more. He kept saying that'll affect so many people in America. I couldn't help but laugh. 200,000 is a lot of money! Guess how many people make over 200,000 a year in America? 3%, that's it!


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 07:10:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Edwards at his best (none / 0)

I wasn't blasting Edwards... I know what he said on the issue.  I was responding to the poster who seemed to want to bring things back to a 70's level of taxation, which I don't agree with.  I think we can make many things work on our current level of taxation... or with a small increase... it isn't the amount of money we bring in, its the way we spend and manage it.  That is the biggest problem in government.  Too much is wasted on special interests, on the War industry, and on earmarks and other pork.  I agree with Edwards that we need to go after unpaid taxes better as well.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 08:00:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I voted for Edwards (none / 0)

Technically, Labor has not endorsed anyone yet.  One would presume he would be who they endorse... but as of now he is only the supporter proclaimed labor candidate.


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 04:09:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Chris, this just got extremely silly

All of the sudden Dodd and Kucinich jumped up from 2-4% to 12-14%.  The stuffing has begun.  

You've just got to get a better polling website, or just go by DKos.


Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards
by philgoblue on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:47:37 PM EST

Yep. dodd is in the lead (none / 0)


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:51:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yep. dodd is in the lead (none / 0)

Huh? When I got here, Dodd wasn't even listed. He's my #2 at present, and so my #2 I made other.


by joyful alternative on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:06:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (3.00 / 1)

Yeah, I know. But there were a few hundred votes before it happened. That will allow me to get a good handle on second-choice votes soon as I see the internals. that's pretty much the only reason I do this.
by Chris Bowers on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:55:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

it looked (none / 0)

like almost everything was splitting equally between E and O.

but obviously if you have a time component you'll tell us.


McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions
by TarHeel on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 01:56:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

My only votes were for Other(1st), Clark(2nd) and Edwards(3rd), and I almost didn't put Edwards on my list. At this point, for me, the only candidate who would get me fired up is Gore. Hell, I'll quit my job and work 24/7 if Gore gets in the race.


"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest." -- Denis Diderot
by Stoic on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:05:29 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

Why the name Stoic?  I'm very interested and will check back.


Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards
by philgoblue on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 08:00:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dodd/Kucinich 2008! (none / 0)

Hey, at least one of the Dodd/Kucinich ballotsw was cast in good faith!


Dennis Kucinich, Progressive Democrat for President in 2008
by hoose on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 02:58:34 PM EST

Re: Dodd/Kucinich 2008! (none / 0)

This poll proves that my opinion really is 1,000 times more important than everybody else's. :)


Dennis Kucinich, Progressive Democrat for President in 2008
by hoose on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 04:30:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

How come you excluded all but five candidates?  Did Gravel and Biden stuff the box too?


ProgressiveHistorians: History For Our Future
by Nonpartisan on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:20:56 PM EST

decent showing (none / 0)

by Richardson, for what it's worth.


by david mizner on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:38:58 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I voted too late. But for what it's worth, not sure and other were my votes at one and two, because of Edwards spineless reaction to the blog blitz. I'm not sure whether I will continue to thing of that as serious a character flaw in the longer term or not, but for now I'm less than happy with Edwards.


by Retired Catholic on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:41:28 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I voted for John Edwards this morning.  Now it looks like a lot of folks wishing for Gore. I don't think he is running, but who knows?  I'm happy with John Edwards.


by littafi on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 03:47:03 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

How could the poll be ruined?


http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 04:11:51 PM EST

I run BetterPolls.com (none / 0)

I wrote it all myself, and I'm still working on it.

What can I add to BetterPolls.com to make it a winner over DemoChoice? It sounds like anti-stuffing measures would be handy. I currently have an image key system, and I could add further back-end measures based on IP addresses and patterns and whatnot. I show better data than just the IRV breakdown. I show a Histogram of how each choice was voted on, and count the election with five election methods including IRV. I allow write-in choices. What's missing?


Start Running Better Polls
by bolson on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:02:52 PM EST

Re: I run BetterPolls.com (none / 0)

I can't speak for Chris, but I think what he wants is someway for only registered MyDD users to be able to take the poll.  I can't think of any way that would be technically possible using your system without either:
  1. MyDD giving BetterPolls all the login information (usernames/passwords)
  2. Running the BetterPolls code on MyDD

Rudy Giuliani hates firefighters. And puppies.
by Fran for Dean on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:13:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I run BetterPolls.com (none / 0)

1. The "OpenID" system would make the first possible if MyDD were to act as a server for that sort of inter-website user authentication system.

2. I have written some of the code in perl which ought to be adaptable to the scoop engine MyDD runs on. http://bolson.org/voting/vote_util/


Start Running Better Polls
by bolson on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 11:08:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I run BetterPolls.com (none / 0)

I know drupal has remote user authentication via xml-rpc, and poking around kuro5hin.org, it looks like there's a similar functionality in scoop (which runs  MyDD).  

If a user could specify a url and server type for remote authentication at the time they create a poll, it would solve the problem that's annoying MyDD so...


Dennis Kucinich, Progressive Democrat for President in 2008
by hoose on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 05:15:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

whats the big rush with the poll.all us worken stiffs would like a chance to have a vote that counts.


by idahojim on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 07:26:00 PM EST

Stuffing? (none / 0)

How does one do that?  Vote several times?

If you cant vote several times--then would it just average out in time?

If a bunch of Kucinich supporters voted at the same time because they called each other--but they wont be able to vote later so they will be averaged out?


by jasmine on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 07:50:46 PM EST

Re: February MyDD Straw Poll (none / 0)

I still do not like this kind of polling.

That is all, ignore and carry on--I had my say, I'm happy.


by MNPundit on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 09:20:47 PM EST

What kind of straw poll closes on the same day? (none / 0)

"The deadline for this poll has passed, so this ballot will not be recorded."

I would have voted for other (Kucinich) seeing as so many of the listed candidates are either not running, or ones I'd have to vote against in either the primary, the general, or both.


by Left for the Left on Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 10:20:09 PM EST


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