September 6, 2007
Posted: 01:29 PM ET

Children take the spotlight in a new anti-war ad aimed at Republicans.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A prominent anti-war group launched a new advertisement Thursday showing children in army uniforms. The ad is being used to attack politically vulnerable pro-war Republican senators in their home states.

"How long will Republican Senators keep us stuck in Iraq?" asks an announcer in the ad. "Should we start training our children now?"

By showing children in fatigues, the Campaign to Defend America, associated with the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org, is aiming to illustrate the consequences of staying in what it calls "an endless civil war."

The ad is now being used to target Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico — all of whom voted for the war in Iraq and are up for reelection in 2008. The ad will air in both the senators’ home states and in Washington, DC.

"Mitch McConnell needs to put his vote where his mouth is," MoveOn.org Washington Director Tom Matzzie said. "It's September and the surge has failed. No more six-month free passes for Bush. The ad reminds people that McConnell and other Republicans are pushing an endless war in Iraq — somebody else's civil war."

The ads will air for the next ten days.  As for the amount of money being spent to air it, the group said it is spending $279,000 to air the ad in Maine, Washington, DC and Kentucky and another $230,000 in Minnesota and New Mexico.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: moveon.org


Terry Butcher, Plummer, Idaho   December 10th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

The "Campaign to Defend America" called my home today, and the computer's message did not leave a return number or any way to opt out. After some research, I called 202-587-1656 and spoke to Ryan about getting the calls stopped. Ryan is Tom Matzzie's Assistant. Matzzie is the Campaign Manager for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq (www.noiraqescalation.org) and is also MoveOn.org Political Action Committee's Washington, D.C. Director. The "Campaign to Defend America" is part of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. Tom's Assistant, Ryan, was very polite and said he would forward my message. Other possible contact numbers are 202-454-6200, 202-263-4535, 202-263-4528 and also tom@moveon.org.

J, Milwaukee, WI   September 13th, 2007 12:58 am ET

As the Neocons have not played by any rules in the selling of the worst foreign policy blunder since Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, if a child in uniform can end this fiasco one day sooner, let's see more of the same.

Mary Ann Meyers, Littleton, Colorado   September 11th, 2007 3:30 pm ET

My first time here. After reading all the comments, heavily loaded to Republican writers, I can only conclude that MoveOn.org is a very effective organization. Anything that disturbs the Republicans this much, deserves support. I'm donating today!

NewMoveOnMember

Tom Dedham, Mass   September 8th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

To SGT David Tenorio, Iraq:

From one Veteran to another, Godspeed my friend. I am no fan of Bush, but I respect you and your brave efforts and words.

Your opinion means more than a hundred bloggers who have never put on uniform.

Anonymous   September 7th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

Hee hee, good one Pickles!
xtina is showing her patriotism by supporting Mitt. Hey, wait a minute. Isn't that how Mitt's children are also showing patriotism??????

Efren C.Tomas   September 7th, 2007 12:46 pm ET

The moveon .org are coward people and dont' remember how this country is coming from.USA need strong military and use it when somebody try to harm us like the 9/11.

Pickles, Monaca, PA   September 7th, 2007 12:37 pm ET

Yeah xtina. You have a big mouth and you talk a lot of hate. If you are such a great patriot, when are you serving?

Tim, Atlanta, GA   September 7th, 2007 1:01 am ET

It's a good thing that Ron Paul voted AGAINST the war in Iraq. Something Clinton cannot claim.

Dan, TX   September 7th, 2007 12:30 am ET

I don't like these types of ads at all. Not promoting a useful discussion. Shame on MoveOn. You want to use the tactics of the NEOCONS, you will have no more respect from regular Americans than the NEONAZIs….oops, NEOCONS do.

Ron Nebraska   September 6th, 2007 11:21 pm ET

Well along with training a new generation of military people I sincerely hope we could train a new generation of thinkers who can understand that military means will never be what causes a successful outcome of this 'war on terror'

SGT David Tenorio, Iraq   September 6th, 2007 8:59 pm ET

Im a combat medic in the 3rd Infantry Division currently deployed in Iraq. I cant believe that some liberal organization would stoop so low as to show children in fatigues to sell their anti-war rhetoric. Im sure the United States would be just fine for 5 or 10 years if we would withdraw from Iraq before the job is done. Then we wouldnt have to fight as the ad calls it "an enless civil war," we'd be fighting in our very own country. If the author of these ads wants to lose their precious civil liberties and allow the military to take over in the U.S. so that we can fight terrorists on our own soil, so be it. However Im not willing to risk that. I fight because I believe in this cause. Its not the President Bush's cause. Its America's cause. Its for Freedom. Let us not forget that we alone didn't fight for our freedom…we had help. Lets start training our children now. I wonder if the author remembers it was a democrat who first suggested that we restart the draft. No one forced me to join the army. I did it to fight for my country! no for a few senators, or the president, for my country. I wish there were ways to stop these organizations from spewing out the mouth in such ways, however that woulnt be very democratic. Enjoy your freedoms america. if these guys have their way we'll all be fighting terrorist here at home before too long. Thats when our children will be fighting a war. Are you really willing to risk that?

HomeoftheBrave   September 6th, 2007 8:37 pm ET

What are they talking about?? Its obvious the Moveon.org is already training its children for warfare. We see them at every anti-Ameican rally in the country..

bprossersme   September 6th, 2007 8:36 pm ET

What sophmoric moron came up with this pitiful ploy for attention.

RJ Greenwood, Newport Beach, CA   September 6th, 2007 8:19 pm ET

As usual, only sophomoric responses from the partisan right… They should ENLIST NOW and save their children and grandchildren!

As to the beyond dead remark, "democrats that voted for the war"… The congress voted to give Bush authority to act in protecting our nation; remember 'walk softly and carry a big stick'?

Bush just 'played' our people to fix his agenda (War Profiteering) and it's horribly obvious Bush blew it…

xtina chicagoIL   September 6th, 2007 7:33 pm ET

Hee hee, no don't start training your children now, moveon.org people! the military only wants patriots !

Greg Grice, St Petersburg, Florida   September 6th, 2007 6:01 pm ET

Groups like moveon.org and those that support them are so completely vested in their "white hot" hatred of President Bush that they refuse to accept that the surge is indeed working and that the war in Iraq is beginning to go America's way. As unthinkable as it is to most Americans, they would rather have the United States lose the war, regardless of the terrible long term consequences, than have our President and his policies be vindicated. I would think that anyone who considers themselves “politically moderate” but who loves our country and support the troops will find it difficult to side with those liberal Democrats that are so politically dependent on our country’s defeat. Especially over the next year or so as the troops are coming home as heroes, we can see the good that has been done over there and a renewed sense of patriotism washes over the nation.

ReadBtwthlins   September 6th, 2007 5:48 pm ET

Where is this political blood money coming from and who is expecting favors in return? Highlighting another broken campaign promise from the dems. What do you expect?

spinstopper   September 6th, 2007 5:46 pm ET

"Should we start training our children now?" Askes the passive Moveon.org…

While ignoring the fact that terrorist are training their children to hate and kill Americans. George Soro may not have to worry about protecting his children but America does..

Peg, Brookeland, Texas   September 6th, 2007 5:31 pm ET

This is the uniform I fear for my grandchildren someday if we pull out of the war on terror too soon. Had Bill Clinton done something after the WTC attack in 1993, the African bombings, the Cole attack, etc…..it may have saved thousands of lives in New York, Washington, Pennsylvania, Iraq and Afganistan. I'm just glad a gutsy president was in office in 2001.

JP Chicago, IL   September 6th, 2007 4:56 pm ET

interesting that the fringe leftist sites convienently forget about the democrats that voted for the war, only to flip flop as soon as the American public got cold feet.

If they're going to wage a campaign against war, then levy the attacks on everyone who had a hand in it. It's becoming tiresome to see the partisan crap continue.

J Houston, TX   September 6th, 2007 4:53 pm ET

War is bad, we get it.

Abandoning those in need of help, the good people trying to rebuild…that's worse.

Anonymous   September 6th, 2007 4:43 pm ET

Didn't MoveOn.org announce the surge had failed within the first month of the 6 month surge?

Cindy Stevens Colorado Springs Colorado   September 6th, 2007 4:40 pm ET

Pictures of kids in camo? Big deal. I don't understand why every mother of a killed soldier isn't at her local news station, holding a picture of a baby, toddler or a teenager!!! Saying this is what died! My baby!! President Bush you killed MY BABY!

Carl, Dallas, Texas   September 6th, 2007 4:27 pm ET

Why is this strictly a Republican issue… i don't believe it for one second…

Democrats are simply realizing people dont' want war, so they are removing themselves from it at all costs since a Republican is President.

If this was Al Gore in the same position, then Republicans would be doing the same thing.

Too bad these guys weren't serious and showed pregnant women running around in uniforms… that would have been funny.

Tom Dedham, Mass   September 6th, 2007 3:05 pm ET

Will all the MSM show this, but not the video with real hero soldiers saying that the mission should go on and how much the majotity of people fighting it, support it.

I don't really give a bleep what anyone sitting at home in a cushy chair thinks on this aspect, the people who are fighting it have more credence than ANYBODY.

The brave men and women who have come back and NOT supported it, I respect their thoughts and views as well.

Funny how this will play out as some of the MSM would not show the other pro-war video, but if they show this, it will show their bias that most of us know of already.

Eric, THE Republic of Texas   September 6th, 2007 2:52 pm ET

MoveOn.org's 15 minutes were up eight years ago.

They're about as relevant today as labor unions or pet rocks.

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