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It’s time I post a diary here about the David Levitt for US Senate 2012 campaign. Believe it or not, I’m on the ballot across California with a very progressive, increasingly popular platform: End Prohibition of medical cannabis; End Afghanistan; Medicare for All; and the Contract for the American Dream platform that Van Jones is so articulate about.
The new “top two” primary rule in California has changed the math, since now there can be 2 Democratic winners. So now a Feinstein win doesn’t automatically kick me to the curb. The 14 Republicans can only get on the ballot if Democrats fail to spread their votes to some other Democrat besides Feinstein. At last count Republicans were all polling at 2% and under. That means the runner-up might win with just a few hundred thousand votes. There are very few polls, but the Republican frontrunner is likely birther Orly Taitz.
Since everyone here is progressive and since Feinstein’s strength means there’s no “spoiler” threat in this race, I aim for everyone in the FDL community to tell their California friends about the campaign, and to vote for the policies they want – not a “lesser evil” – by voting for me – and by mobilizing voters with me here at FDL and elsewhere.
We’ve been documenting the race with video. The one we posted last night is astonishing — my Republican opponents dripping in racism, homophobia and — of all things — vicious contempt for teachers and public schools. I’m not exaggerating — check out the video!
Republican Hate on the US Senate Campaign Trail
This page with 2 videos at Levitt2012.org includes the background, and shows the cool Levitt video response to all that hate! Even if you knew nothing about my progressive platform, you’d probably want to vote for me just to keep them off the November ballot.
For years I’ve read and enjoyed FDL, written and commented occasionally, posting diaries like Buffett in NYT: Thanks For Ignoring My Catastrophic Financial Fraud, America! and A Perfectly Centrist President. Last year I helped found groups recruiting citizen candidates – see this nice Young Turks interview at Occupy Wall Street in NYC. I’ve been in the Senate race since February and have had various press and endorsements, but I’ve been so busy haven’t reached out directly to FDL until now.
Actually, many of you at FDL are my favorite web writers — from Swanson to Dayen to Walker to Wheeler — with huge networks of progressives who I suspect can help this campaign earn another 1/4 million votes this month to win in the runner-up position. Please help promote this amazing opportunity.
I’m frankly not very experienced at promoting my activity at FDL — nor at campaigning actually.
Please Like the campaign on Facebook, mention @Levitt2012 on Twitter, and contribute what you can to this very progressive campaign for an alternative to mideast/drug warrior Dianne Feinstein.
Support, discuss, debate, and spread the word about this extraordinary race during the few remaining campaign weeks!
8 Comments
I was born in San Jose, California (south-side San Ho in the house!) to Irish immigrant parents. I was then raised in a dirt poor Catholic Housing Project in northern Ireland, near Belfast. I am living in Minnesota now. I have come to some very, very interesting conclusions.
Self described “progressives” here deserve the Democratic Party and the Kabuki Theatre of the Absurd, pseudo opposition to the corporate powers that they represent. Along with the pretend democracy and yes, your war criminal president Oily Bomber.
Michael Cavlan RN
Candidate US Senate 2012
Minnesota Open Progressives
Oh yes and one more thing. I forgot to mention this.
Based upon over ten years of experience. Democrats and their legions of apologists are also afraid to engage in actual debates. Especially with those of us who have knowledge of the completely anti-democratic and pro-corporate nature of the said Democratic Party.
Instead they depend on their cheerleaders like MSNBC, Current TV, Air America, Rachel Maddow, Eddie Schultz, Thom Hartmann, The Nation magazine, virtually every self described “progressive” blog, radio, TV station and magazines to promote their agenda. All the while making sure that real progressive voices are silenced at every turn.
All we get is FDL and even then just here on the side bar. But at least we have it here.
People who understand what has happened in California with the top two rule, know exactly what this is really about. It is a very deliberate attempt to squelch and silence voices of dissent. It is anti-democratic to the core. Mirroring the anti-democratic workings of the two party system going on all over this country. Something that the cheer-leading of Mr Levitt conveniently overlooks.
I can hardly wait for the eventual pitchfork and torches time when people finally wake up. I see that time coming soon.
I hate the anti-democratic (small “d”) “Top Two” garbage, but I love that David is trying to exploit it. He’d get crushed by DiFi’s $$$ in the general, anyway, but forcing her to debate an actual Democrat/leftist would have some benefits, I can’t but hope.
You’ve got my vote, David. Best wishes.
Mike – not to worry, I’m the opposite of an Obama or other apologist, as you can see clearly in pieces like http://my.firedoglake.com/davidl/2011/03/13/a-perfectly-centrist-president/ right here.
So instead take a look at http://Levitt2012.org and see that it’s also the very opposite of the Kabuki theater you’re complaining about.
This isn’t about fealty to any party – in fact, there isn’t a single item on this agenda that’s endorsed by leadership – which instead craves marijuana prohibition, drones, and the corrupt Affordable Care Act.
You’re right that the Top Two is anti-democratic to the core, and in fact all the candidates spoke about that at the recent Sutter Butte Tea Party web-televised at the bottom link here.
More important, Vote Socialist is right that in this election the most subversive thing we can do is exploit it to widen the debate.
Mike, sincere cooperation rather than cynicism from folks like you can help make that happen.
David
We should talk
openprogressivemichael@gmail.com
I remain cynical beyond explanation. I view the Democratic Party itself as the Veal Pen.
You got my vote, David! Hopefully your candidacy will widen the debate, as suggested — but in any case, Feinstein is such an abomination that she was never anywhere near my vote.
Thanks for your Vote!
What a relief to see that despite the handle “Vote Socialist” you’re not immobilized by labels. Perhaps I shouldn’t imply that I filed under any party, lest the Democrats’ stench get on me.
More relevant: after hearing my stance supporting whistleblowers, the Bradley Manning Support Network has been tracking my campaign.
Surely FDL’s networks can express such an interest too. Should I be posting more policy here?
http://www.bradleymanning.org/news/update-22112-obamas-continuing-war-on-whistleblowers-assanges-lawyers-public-remarks-on-pfc-mannings-trial
Great to hear it, madcap, thanks for your support!
I hope you have Facebook and Twitter accounts that can spread that support by making it visible online.
Yeah, there’s more than one constituency – folks like us who’d never vote Feinstein; and folks who’d reflexively vote incumbent D unless they realize they’re wasting their vote this time or even helping a Republican onto the ballot.
My candidacy is already widening the debate! At that televised Tea Party event I may have become the only Senate candidate yet to point out how our Afghan and drone policy makes us less safe. Follow @Levitt2012 so you’ll know when video’s posted.