Behind an Antiwar Ad, a Large and Powerful Liberal Group

[cal04]

There is no mistaking the influence of MoveOn.org, with its 3.2 million members and powerful fund-raising apparatus, within the Democratic Party.

This liberal activist group has come to occupy a prominent seat at the table among the party elite, so much so that Republicans leaped at a chance to hold Democrats and their presidential candidates responsible for the organization’s positions after it ran an advertisement attacking the credibility of Gen. David H. Petraeus.

MoveOn, which has raised tens of millions of dollars for Democratic candidates since its inception in 1998, clearly enjoys friendly relations with Democratic Party officials. Its leaders have met several times over the year with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, to discuss policy and strategy on ending the Iraq war.

MoveOn representatives also take part, as co-founders of a coalition of antiwar groups together under the umbrella Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, in a daily conference call with the Democratic leadership staff on Capitol Hill to coordinate efforts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/washington/15moveon.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1189822625-si8hBTKtZBePEO0VYEJxZw

[madfloridian]

1. No Democrats should have criticized that ad.

Not after all the soldiers who have died in Iraq for something done in our name that we begged them not to vote for.

[Kagemusha]

2. ...So which Democrats did criticize the ad?

I can't find a single one who's been publicly quoted attacking it. Yeah, the NY Times article says privately a bunch said they winced at the wording and found it counterproductive (because of the wording). The Republicans called for Democrats to publicly condemn the ad. So... who has?

[madfloridian]

6. Kerry, Eliz. Edwards, Pelosi....that I know of.

[madfloridian]

8. Also Biden

"Most of the other Democratic candidates for president have also avoided criticizing MoveOn.org’s advertisement, except Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware. He said of the suggestion that the general had betrayed the country: "I don’t buy into that. This is an honorable guy. He’s telling the truth."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/washington/15fact.html?ref=politics

[Kagemusha]

9. Still seems a far cry from condemnation.

But it does seem to have the usual wimpy junk. Ah well.

As long as they're not too loud about it...

[OHdem10]

3. No wonder Faux is in such a dither----

They think 3.2 Million Americans are Far Left or Lefties.
Cannot mention MoveOn without FarLeft Far-Far Left or
Lefties.

I chuckle, they would not recognize a lefty if one jumped up
and bit them. I know they just call people names for effect.
Some of their viewers could and probably are with MoveOn.

The world is changing and some are going to be left behind
wondering what hit them.

I have only heard 3 Dems say it was wrong. These were
consultant types who from their positions uttered on air,
I would classify DINO.

[Cha]

4. I like the description, "Powerful"

used to describe an anti-war group!

Moveon got the ad out there and maybe, just maybe, certain people will think twice about accepting petraus' word as fact. No wonder the cons were having hissyspits(apologies to hissyspits)!

[TankLV]

7. POWERFUL...I like that A LOT! Has a certain panache...

millions - and growing BIGGER and STRONGER!!!

I've given them hundreds - no more to the Dems...

At least I know my money is working FOR me...

[Cha]

10. POWER TO THE

PEACEFUL! :grouphug: B-)

[jaysunb]

5. I'm Dumbfounded !

The WP has discovered the power and will of people united on the left in this country. What next ? will they notice the hundreds of other, fully funded and mobilized groups of Americans that come from all walks of life and religious persuasions on the left. ( that, in reality make up the majority of this country)

Actually I hope they continue to pretend we're not here.....we just may need the element of surprise to get our country back.