The grassroots Straw Poll has ended, and over 7,500 votes were cast!
The results: 85% in Pennsylvania and 86% nationally said YES -- draft Rep. Joe Sestak to run against Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary.
Joe Sestak just sent over this statement thanking all who voted!
"I am honored that so many of you took the time to vote in the recent grassroots Straw Poll. Let me tell you, I and many others were paying attention. If I decide to run it will be in large measure because of the grassroots energy of so many people like you. Until I and my family make that decision, please accept my thanks and my best wishes as you continue be active participants in our people-powered democracy. Thank you so very much!"
If you voted yes, you can be among the first to donate to a new Draft Sestak fund on ActBlue.
The goal of this Straw Poll -- sponsored by the PCCC in partnership with OpenLeft, Daily Kos, Digby, CrooksandLiars, the Pennsylvania Progressive, Keystone Progress, and many others -- was to allow the grassroots to have a meaningful voice in a process previously dominated by party insiders.
Not only does there appear to be grassroots energy for a primary -- but Sestak seems to be someone many folks could rally around.
Sestak obviously is paying attention to the voting results, and a big grassroots draft fund would also likely influence his decision even more.
If he runs, he automatically gets all draft donations, giving him a boost. If he doesn't, funds in that account go to ActBlue -- a vital piece of progressive infrastructure that has revolutionized people-power campaigning by making online contributions to Democrats easy. (Thanks, ActBlue!)
P.S. I'm on Twitter.