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MoveOn Ad Sparks Anger, Senate Vote

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN,
The New York Times
Posted: 2007-09-21 13:39:20
Filed Under: Iraq News, Politics News
WASHINGTON (Sept. 20) - The Senate approved a resolution on Thursday denouncing the liberal antiwar group MoveOn.org over an advertisement that questioned the credibility of Gen. David H. Petraeus, the American commander in Iraq.

Photo Gallery: Uproar Over an Ad

moveon.org

The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution denouncing a MoveOn.org ad that appeared in The New York Times on Sept. 10 and challenged the credibility of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

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MoveOn.org, with 3.2 million members, has become a powerful force in Democratic politics and the advertisement it paid for, which appeared in The New York Times, has come under sharp attack from Congressional Republicans and others as unpatriotic and impugning the integrity of General Petraeus. The ad taunted Petraeus as "General Betray Us."

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, both Democratic candidates for president, voted against the resolution, which passed 72 to 25.

But curiously absent from the vote was Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, also a Democratic candidate for president, who had canceled a campaign appearance in South Carolina so he could be in Washington for votes.

Mr. Obama issued a statement calling the resolution, put forward by Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, “a stunt.” Mr. Obama said, “By not casting a vote, I registered my protest against these empty politics.”

Mr. Obama had voted minutes earlier in favor of an extremely similar resolution proposed by Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California.

Ms. Boxer’s proposal, which failed, called for the Senate to “strongly condemn all attacks on the honor, integrity and patriotism” of anyone in the United States armed forces. It did not mention the MoveOn.org ad. Mr. Dodd and Mrs. Clinton also voted in favor of Ms. Boxer’s proposal.

Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination, was in Iowa and did not vote.

At a White House news conference, President Bush called the advertisement disgusting and said it was an attack not only on General Petraeus but also on the entire American military.

“And I was disappointed that not more leaders in the Democrat Party spoke out strongly against that kind of ad,” Mr. Bush said. “And that leads me to come to this conclusion: that most Democrats are afraid of irritating a left-wing group like MoveOn.org — or more afraid of irritating them than they are of irritating the United States military.”

Representative Thomas M. Davis III, Republican of Virginia, has urged the House to hold hearings on the MoveOn.org ad and to investigate whether The Times gave the group an improper discount. A New York Times Company spokeswoman has said that the group paid a standard “standby” rate.

MoveOn.org lashed out at Mr. Bush’s comments and pledged to double its spending on ads criticizing Republican lawmakers for blocking efforts by Democrats to change the war strategy. Eli Pariser, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, said, “What’s disgusting is that the president has more interest in political attacks than developing an exit strategy to get our troops out of Iraq and end this awful war.”

Copyright © 2008 The New York Times Company
2007-09-21 09:24:27
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12512 comments

koolzod 12:57:48 PM Oct 02 2007

Continued.....

At times I might seem to be outright supporting the Democrats --- unfortunately it's a two party system, so if you're gonna bash one, you better support the other. So when those moronic imbeciles "chime in" with Bush is the greatest President or Clinton started this war --- I am just compelled to tell them them to PLEASE:

Put down the Kool-Aid, walk away very sloooooowwly and get your heads out of your collective asses!

Thank you for that insightful question!

koolzod 12:51:39 PM Oct 02 2007

Okay --- we're getting deep! First I am NOT a Liberal. I consider myself a "Radical". That, stated it means I like to thing outside the box. War is war --- short or long in duration. As far as the Democrats are concerned, I only support Hillary and Obama. (Would be amazing if they would stop bumping heads and get on the ticket together --- Woo-hoo).

As far as this war! I would not support anyone prolong it. It is a faux-war! First we're their for WMD, then to topple Saddam, then to Liberate Iraq, then the Surge to fend off Al-Quada in Iraq! WHAT IS GOING ON! The real reasone we are there is because of OIL! So anyone present or future that support this war is lying to the American Public (Democrats or Republican).

A radical is someone looking for change. That is what I am looking for. I know you've seen (read) my comments bashing the current administration! Well they deserve it. They are lying through their teeth and it seems like a lot of Conservatives love it. I don't

sonotme 08:32:09 PM Oct 01 2007

No problem, Koolzod. It just seems odd that people will support a short, fast and furious war such as Grenada and Panama, but any conflict that is long and hard fought, there is outright revolt. Being a liberal, what do you think the result will be if we pull out of the gulf. And, also... what are your thoughts on Hillary and other top Demos now saying that if they are elected, we may have to stay and fight in Iraq. Isn't this a betrayal to all the liberals?

koolzod 02:40:23 PM Oct 01 2007

So Not Me, Thanks for the clarification on the recent wars! Under Carter, that was a Hostage Situation --- Under Clinton, No War.

Grenada, Panama, Kuwait, and Gulf war were all wars, albeit very short in duration --- but they were still wars directed by a sitting Republican President.

sonotme 12:15:19 AM Sep 29 2007

koolzod, we have only been in two wars of any magnitude in the past 50 years. Viet Nam and the current middle-east conflict. Kennedy/Johnson took us to the Nam... and yes, Gdubya took us to Iraq. The first gulf war only lasted 70 days and involved 28 nations on the allied side against Iraq. The Battle for Grenada (Oct 25, 1983), under Pres Reagan, lasted less than two months and was a one-sided victory for US. The invasion of Panama under Pres H W Bush, lasted two weeks and was nearly flawless in execution. The Iran hostage rescue attempt (Pres Jimmy Carter) was two days and ended in complete failure and humiliation for US. No enemy engagement and loss of 5 aircraft and 8 US soldiers.

melsmoothvoice01 07:34:24 PM Sep 28 2007

I'm more concerned over the fact that the bill failed to get enough votes from the Republicans to give our soldiers the same amount of time from the battlefield as they spend in harms way. I'm also more concerned that there is talk of possible US
occupation well into 2013 of Iraq. I really outraged that this invasion and occupation and squandering of American resources , and lives was merely to allow the likes of Hunt Oil of Dallas Tx to go in and sign revenue sharing agreements with the Kurds. And I'm really pissed of that there are so many well ( 29 %) still support being lied to and taken for a ride at the expense of our national honor and blood of our soldiers.(military) not those paid 10 x what our military men get paid.

koolzod 10:50:58 AM Sep 28 2007

Rvrndstvn

Just remember, if any of the democrat hopefuls gets elected, this country is over. Before you know it you will be a muslim or dead. Come to think of it being dead would be better.
============================================================

A Noe-Con Concoction.....
Scare Tactics at it's finest --- "If the democrats win, we're all dead!" --- Morons!
Logically -- you've got to be an idiot to think any war -- any war, will kill every single soul in American --- Even in a nuclear attack. There are over 300 million of us. Secondly, ever noticed (in recent history) the only times we as a nation goes to war is when the is a sitting Republican President? hhmmmmmmm?

Scare Tactics --- Bully Tactics --- Conservative Conjecture! Enough Already!!!

senorpanama 11:54:04 PM Sep 27 2007

Money talks BS walks.....another example of mone...that's how the governemtns run if move.org did scary politicains as much as it does it woul have been condmed long time ago.....i don't agree with what they said...after all being in politics is simply who an lie to the people the best....and Hillary's Winning

donedaytona 10:50:00 PM Sep 27 2007

I don't get all the anger and irritation about this ad. We are all aware that the New York Times is not a credible publication. Its readership is dropping like a rock, and it is obvious to all that can read, that this paper is filled with stories of both fiction, and fantasy. No truth can be found in its pages, and most of us know that. This whole dust-up is really NO BIG DEAL .

designersrus15 10:46:00 PM Sep 27 2007

Libs can't/don't want to trust the general and certainly CANNOT trust their Democratic candidate standard bearers who have consistently lied and manipulated the issues to curry favor w/the gullible far left. Even the closet muslim obama won't commit to a date to remove US troops from Iraq.......where will end for the lefties? Won't soros spend enough $ to REALLY effect significant change?? Or could it be MOST americans don't support their often absurd positions ??

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