Tag Archives: Democracy for America 2016

Sanders’ big win! DFA endorsement poll

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The results of the Democracy for America presidential primary endorsement poll were tallied Thursday and Bernie won BIG. Sanders won a “record breaking” 87.9% of the vote and earned Democracy for America’s endorsement for the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. DFA reported there were 271,527 total votes cast.

The break-down was as follows: Sanders 87.9 %, Hillary Clinton 10.3%, and Martin O’Malley 1.1% and “don’t endorse” came in at a paltry 0.8%.

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The win on Thursday coincided with a Sanders fund raising effort that topped 2 million individuals and garnered an endorsement by the 700,000 member Communication Workers of America. Sanders’ top strategist Tad Devine said: “Today is an indication that there are a lot of people in the left wing of the Democratic Party that think we are doing the right things to win, to achieve the agenda they’re committed to. Last night, when we went over 2 million people, it was an indication that we are ready, and able, to truly fund a real, national race,” Devine was understandably happy for the good news and momentum before Saturday’s televised candidate debate.

Seen in light of recent reports on Sanders’ skimpy media coverage, how does the DFA turnout of 275,000 voters compare to Republican presidential primary polling events? One early and heavily covered event is the Iowa Republican Straw Poll for presidential primary candidates. The Iowa Republican’s poll had just 16,892 voters in 2011, the last year it was held. The contest generated weeks of headlines and buzz for the GOP winner, yet at its height in 1999 it had barely 24,000 participants. So in a perfect media world, Sanders’ DFA win should generate at least a comparable amount of coverage to 24,000 Iowa Republicans.

But everybody knows that’s not going to happen, so it better be back to the phones – twitterverse – facebook – etc., etc – for Bernie’s campaign.

Pssssst… Hey, want to endorse a Democrat for president?

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Update: Five hours left and the DFA really wants you to vote!  

Democracy for America’s 2016 Presidential Endorsement Poll is closing in just 5 hours. Time is running out for you to get out the vote for the Democratic candidate you think would give us our best shot at winning in November.

You! Yes, you have the power to vote for who Democracy for America should endorse in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries. And it doesn’t cost a thing, and so why not?

Just visit the DFA website –provide a name and email, check your vote choice and verify the vote by return email. Simple: no lines, no waiting.

Democracy for America was founded in 2004, post-scream, from the remnants of Howard Dean’s presidential primary campaign organization with the overall goal of empowering voters. In their 2008 endorsement poll no candidate passed the DFA endorsement super-majority threshold.

DFAvoteHere from the DFA’s website here is how their 2016 presidential endorsement process works:

  • The endorsement vote is live right now and will end at 11:59pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 15.
  • Just like in a real election, you will need to work hard to maximize support for your candidate if you want them to win this endorsement. That means getting your friends, family and other like-minded progressives to cast their votes for your candidate as well — on Facebook, Twitter, over email, on the phone, or however you want to spread the word!
  • DFA will only endorse in this presidential primary if there is overwhelming support for one candidate. That means that, just like in 2007 when we last conducted an official presidential endorsement vote, we will only endorse if one candidate reaches DFA’s super-majority threshold of 67% (two-thirds of votes cast, or 66.67% to be technical about it).
  • On Thursday, December 17th — after a complete security review of the votes — we will announce the results.                                                     Vote here

So here’s your chance, party activists and grassroots grumblers! Go get some votes for your gal or guy. Or maximize the “don’t endorse” vote, almost as good as “none of the above.” The sweet thing here is that whatever vote-hustling footwork you do now just might pay off in the early primaries.