Obama wins Straw Poll of Take Back America conference

[illinoisprogressive]

Senator Barack Obama scored a victory among progressive activists Wednesday, winning the Politico.com Straw Poll of attendees at the Take Back America Conference in Washington.

Obama received 29% of the 720 votes cast in the straw poll, narrowly beating out former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, and decisively knocking official front-runner Hillary Clinton into third place.

Edwards took 26% of the vote and Clinton 17%.


snip




Still, Obama's message was overlaid with non-partisan rhetoric, and early in his speech he was slowed by a group chanting "Beat the GOP."

Edwards, who has campaigned most directly on issues of importance to labor unions and liberal activists, echoed the conference's central theme that the Democratic left is resurgent.

There will be, Edwards said "no more taking half a loaf" in the Edwards presidency.

Some at the conference said they found the clarity of Edwards' message compelling.

"I think that's what the American people want -- simplicity," said Kris Pierce, a Democratic activist from Douglas County, Nebraska.

Straw polls are unscientific indicators, and their results are determined in part by who chooses to participate, but the results of the Politico.com survey do suggest that Clinton has more support among liberal activists than might have been predicted from surveys conducted on the internet.

Obama and Edwards have been duking it out in the online straw polls conducted by leading Democratic blogs -- Obama is leading the MyDD straw poll, while Edwards has led the DailyKos straw poll.

Clinton is no favorite of the Netroots, and hardly registers in the online surveys, but was a clear third in the Politico.com Straw Poll.

Clinton's speech, a litany of disputes with the Bush Administration and policy aims, drew a friendly reception, though perhaps not as rapturous as the reaction to her leading rivals. She was interrupted by loud boos when she blamed the Iraqi government for Iraq's current woes.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0607/4573.html

[jefferson_dem]

1. Good taste...those progressive activists have.

[snowbear]

37. ~~Awesome chart Jefferson Dem!~~

I didn't notice it when I dropped in for a second earlier..

Senator Obama HAS to be stoked at this straw poll when you consider how many speakers and attendees were there and were (unlike the MSM polls) actually DEMOCRATS!!

http://tba2007.confabb.com/conferences/tba2007/details

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

2. That Obama, such a DLC Democrat, no support among progressives

:sarcasm:

[jefferson_dem]

4. Yes. Apparently, they haven't yet received the memo...

* Obama's really a DLC, pseudo, crypto Third Way Democrat.
* Obama and Hillary's platforms are identical.
* Obama likes to go around smearing ethnic minorities
* Obama has the nerve to criticize deadbeat dads in minority communities.

...

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

5. My favorite is the last one, here is my response to one of the hit pieces on that

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3326371&mesg_id=3328138

[draft_mario_cuomo]

9. Can you name any differences between DLC HRC's platform and "progressive" Obama's?

Thanks in advance. I look forward to the response...

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

11. I have posted replies in at least four of your threads, none of which you have responded to

The following post has a link to every thread of yours in which I have posted in the past 24 hours and you have not responded:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3325193&mesg_id=3328224

One response, to your Obama is a racist thread, I think particularly highlights how his position is progressive and intelligent.
Here it is: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3326371&mesg_id=3328138

You have attacked Obama based on quotes from The Audacity of Hope, a book I seriously doubt you read. I pointed out that his conclusion emphasizes FDR's four freedoms, an extremely progressive concept. You have yet to respond.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3326881&mesg_id=3328159

Obama's campaign is extremely progressive, which is why he won the straw poll. So is Edwards, which is why he came in close second. Your campaign, here at the DU, to smear Obama and cheer Edwards could be nothing further from progressive. You have consistently refused to think in shads of gray rather than black and white, something which most of us accuse the bushies of doing. My personal favorite was your unity message, "We are all Democrats, We are all Americans," in which you simultaneously bashed Obama. Here is my response to that:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3325153&mesg_id=3328178

Your posts represent an absolutism in which you have been bent on smearing the other candidates, rather than arguing your own candidates progressive positions and values. Give me a break.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

13. I didn't respond because I wanted to keep the amusement going for as long as possible

Your smear campaign against me (you profess to be against smears :rofl: ) is based on you missing the sarcasm and subtlety of one of my posts. It was hilarious. Why stop it?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

14. Can you answer the simple question in post #9?

Or will you continue smears, instead of discussing issues. You know, not practice what you preach...

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

26. Well, let's start with the War in Iraq

Obama has consistently opposed the War in Iraq, Clinton voted for the Iraq War Resolution and refuses to apologize for her vote. Edwards originally co-sponsored the resolution, but he apologized so I'll accept his apology and consider him my really good second choice.

Obama has said that while Democrats should not cede the issues of faith and values to Republicans, people of faith have a responsibility to translate their beliefs into nonreligious terms when arguing an issue. This one is a big one for me as an Atheist, and I have heard nothing of the sort from either Clinton or Edwards.

I have already outlined why I think Obama has taken an intelligent progressive position on parenting and helping the poor, a position which differs from Clinton and the DLC. Here is a link to that: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3326371&mesg_id=3328138

Both Obama and Clinton have committed issue pages on their websites to voting rights, something which is extremely progressive on both their parts and has nothing to do with the DLC.

Obama, unlike Clinton and Edwards, has addressed the issue of immigration on his website and has supported along the lines of what Kennedy supports. I would like to see the other candidates take clearer stances on this issue, or if they have, feature them on their websites. I was extremely impressed when he said we should stop blaming gays and immigrants for our problems is his announcement speech. I have heard nothing like that from Clinton or Edwards. I also liked his debate response to whether immigrants should learn English (he pointed out that it was a wedge question meant to divide us).

Most of all, I notice a difference in their rhetoric. Barack Obama inspires Americans the way John F. Kennedy did. Clinton has positioned herself as the closest to the center in order to win moderate voters. Although I think she has taken solidly Democratic positions in her campaign, her speeches are absolutely uninspiring to me. Obama has done an excellent job framing issues and speaking to progressives values, something which attracts progressives and gives him appeal to moderate voters, without compromising principle. Compared to Kerry's 04 platform Obama's platform is a dream platform for progressives and yet I already know a number of moderate Republicans who are disgusted with their party and are considering voting for Obama. I can't, however, convince them to vote for Clinton or Edwards. Obama's message cuts through wedge issues with a progressive platform. I don't see the other candidates doing this. This is because he does an excellent job of framing (I recommend everyone read http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/thinkingpoints/ThinkingPoints_Chapter8.pdf/view">Thinking Points by Lakoff, I have linked to a chapter which discusses Obama's framing) His message of hope and unity, his framing of the issues, will allow him to kick conservative wedge issues back in their teeth and force them to win on something besides fear, divide, and conquer.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

30. Ok: both have the same platform on Iraq

Keep a "residual" or "limited" force of an unspecified number for an unspecified length of time in Iraq for military operations, training troops, etc.

==Obama has said that while Democrats should not cede the issues of faith and values to Republicans, people of faith have a responsibility to translate their beliefs into nonreligious terms when arguing an issue. This one is a big one for me as an Atheist, and I have heard nothing of the sort from either Clinton or Edwards.==

That relates to political strategy, not actual policy.

==I have already outlined why I think Obama has taken an intelligent progressive position on parenting and helping the poor, a position which differs from Clinton and the DLC.==

Obama offers no real solutions to poverty from the government. Unlike Edwards and even Mike Bloomberg, he offers only castigation.

==Both Obama and Clinton have committed issue pages on their websites to voting rights, something which is extremely progressive on both their parts and has nothing to do with the DLC.==

This is a new one! The DLC does not believe in voting rights? Voting rights is a Dem issue that all Dems, DLC or progressive, believe in.

==Obama, unlike Clinton and Edwards, has addressed the issue of immigration on his website and has supported along the lines of what Kennedy supports.==

They all have the same basic position on immigration. Immigration is not really a liberal/conservative issue anyway IMO.

==I was extremely impressed when he said we should stop blaming gays and immigrants for our problems is his announcement speech.==

Except that is precisely what he did last week... :eyes:

=I have heard nothing like that from Clinton or Edwards.==

Yeah, because they hate immigrants!

Most of what you cited is simply tactical and rhetorical...

[HooptieWagon]

40. Nicely stated!

also: Is DMC a troll?

[ripple]

16. Wow. Just wow.

Well said, ProgressiveAmPatriot!



:applause: :yourock: :applause:


:patriot:

[mckeown1128]

32. I second that. Good job!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:


:applause: :applause:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

18. Still haven't found any differences in the HRC and BO platforms?

I wonder why? ;)

[mckeown1128]

33. It is simple...

You are not looking for any differences. Obama and/or Clinton supporters don't have to defend Obama and/or Clinton from your attacks. You have obviously made up your mind. We only have to counter your attacks as you try to manipulate others.

[ellisonz]

39. Have you considered...

I think it might help the excessive posting :smoke:

[jefferson_dem]

20. Thanks. Well done!

:applause:

[BringBigDogBack]

3. That's about how I would expect the TBA poll to look

Edwards/Obama close at the top, Clinton after that. Seems many supporters of the top two would support the other candidate against (m)any of the other challengers.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

6. Yeah, it looks like Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama is the choice of most progressives n/t

[BringBigDogBack]

7. would make a great ticket

either way, IMO

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

8. they are both my dream ticket really n/t

[caledesi]

42. Edwards/Obama Obama/Edwards - either would be a sweet ticket. nt

[rinsd]

21. Yes it was not a big surprise though I did expect Obama to be farther ahead (nt)

[bigdarryl]

10. BUT BUT MSNBC keeps saying Hillary did the best

[draft_mario_cuomo]

12. She probably did

She won 17% of the vote at a progressive event. What percentage do you think she had when she walked in the room?

This is like the DailyKos poll after the debate. HRC got, I think 18%, which was less than Edwards and BO but it was obvious she was the "real winner". Why? Edwards and BO got the same support they usually get on Kos; HRC debate result was thrice here share of support at Kos. She convinced many objective people that she won and won over many people. I was very anti-HRC and she even convinced me!

[eweaver155]

17. Again they are pushing Hillary The media want her to win

[Adelante]

15. Congrats!

:toast:

[Capn Sunshine]

19. Progressive polling selects Obama and Edwards?

No surprise here. I'm not going to read the posts from the HRC boosters because the spin is predictable.

But you can't be a right winger (of course they are beating the "centrist " frame hard) in this party and expect support from generally better informed and committed progressives.

[bigdarryl]

22. Agree 100%

[Ethelk2044]

23. I Second it

[draft_mario_cuomo]

35. HRC is a right-winger? Then what is Obama?

He has the same platform as HRC (to those who disagree, name a difference, aside from him being more DLC on health care than even DLCer HRC!)...

[TeamJordan23]

36. He Opposed the IWR from the beginning. Edwards & Clinton did not and did not speak up. nt

[Ethelk2044]

38. Good Case and Point

[Kingstree]

43. I agree with you

Edwards and Clinton should not have voted YES

[draft_mario_cuomo]

41. So did Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan. They are progressives according to your standard! nt

[cascadiance]

24. Hmm... Al Gore gets 8% as a write-in!

Still waiting for the "big shoe" to drop! :)

[snowbear]

28. Kudos to Senator Obama..

..and wow.. even 8% for Gore as a write-in is pretty damned good too!

I wish I could've attended that event. Sounds like it was a BLAST ... what a line-up of speakers!!!

[snowbear]

29. Oops.. and the rest of em too.

Kudos to Edwards too who came in very close, and to HRC for a respectable 3rd place.

Did anyone here get to attend????

[Radical Activist]

25. This is a two way race between Edwards and Obama.

Either way I think we'll win.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

27. I would like to see it boil down to this n/t

[mckeown1128]

31. Fantastic!!!

Gobama GoEdwards :toast:

[Stop Cornyn]

34. Thanks for posting this.

[MGKrebs]

44. "I think that's what the American people want -- simplicity,"

If that's really what we want, that is what we will get.
Alas.

[William769]

45. To bad he's starting to bomb out in Iowa!

:rofl:

Now that they have gotten to know him.

[Kingstree]

46. He is doing well in Iowa