September 10, 2007
Posted: 02:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, criticized MoveOn.org Monday for taking an ad out in The New York Times criticizing Gen. David Petraeus. The general is testifying before Congress today about the situation in Iraq. (Related: Dems join GOP in slamming ad attacking Petraeus)

“I don’t like any kind of characterizations in our politics that call into question any active duty, distinguished general,” Kerry told CNN, adding “who I think under any circumstances serves with the best interests of our country.”

Kerry is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who was awarded two Purple Hearts. In his 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry was attacked by the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who questioned his service in the war.

Kerry called the MoveOn.org ad “over the top” and specifically noted that he did not like the wording in the text.

“I didn’t like the terminology,” he said. “I didn’t like it.”

The ad shows a picture of Petraeus with the words “General Petraeus or General Betray us?”

-- CNN’s Ted Barrett and Xuan Thai

Filed under: Uncategorized


Jeff, ColdSpring,NY   September 20th, 2007 7:29 pm ET

The General “betray us” argument is but another smoke screen! Come on America, wake up! See this junk for what it is.
As a formal, republican (disgusted with them), I am amazed at how many people don’t see the same old, tired, republican tactics used over and over by these deceitful morons. That is – they take every opportunity they can to divert the public’s attention away from their blunders and then find, no… create an issue (smoke screen) to distract you from the important issues like this damned war and our young men and women who are sacrificed like pawns. These selfish politicians are playing a game with us and our lives. I believe the Dems and the Gop are putting on a show. I can imagine them laughing “behind the curtain” hi fivin each other about how well they fooled us. Think back about some of the past, juicy “news stories” that were the headlines that squashed the real stories – the political blunders they need us to forget. I’d bet anyone who keeps themselves informed would probably be able to come up with at least a dozen instances within the past year. Probably hundreds in the last 6 years.
I am not a member of Moveon.org but I do try to keep an open mind and give everyone a chance. I’ve seen a few representatives of Moveon talk about important issues like the war and they seem to be very smart people who can debate and think “quick on their feet”! Maybe they would make better official representatives of the people then the clowns we have now! Disgusted American

Carroll, Longmont, CO   September 16th, 2007 5:26 pm ET

MoveOn.org is not a radical organization. It's a grass roots organization of people who are concerned about this country and want to protect it and the Constitution. The real radicals are in the current Administration. You know, the ones who support torture, elimination of habeas corpus, attacking countries who are not an imminent threat to us, repudiation of the Geneva Conventions. Ask yourself, "who are the radicals here?"

Scarabus » Blog Archive » Kerry, MoveOn, and Petraeus/Betray Us   September 13th, 2007 5:22 pm ET

[...] published an ad attacking the credibility of General David Petraeus. Sen. John Kerry criticized the organization for doing so. I think MoveOn is right and Kerry is wrong. Following the [...]

Mark Hecht, Boonton, NJ   September 13th, 2007 1:51 pm ET

Let's get our people the hell out of Iraq first, and worry about MoveOn's etiquette later.

Sharon Binghamton New York   September 13th, 2007 12:09 pm ET

This is why John Kerry is not the President today.

Rummy Dummy   September 12th, 2007 11:10 pm ET

If this country hadn't gotten so damn wimpy over the last 40 years we'd have millions inthe streets demanding we get out of Iraq and impeach the criminal element that took us there instead of some pansy ads in the papers.

Sarah McKee   September 12th, 2007 6:03 pm ET

My understanding is that the "Betray-us" tag actually originated with some of the general's colleagues. 190,000 weapons, plus body armor and other military equipment, went "missing" on Petraeus's watch in Iraq a few years ago. The general reportedly did not even retain the serial numbers, and has no idea to whom they were handed over. Some have undoubtedly been used to arm insurgents attacking U.S. troops and mercenaries in Iraq. During 2004 – 2005, moreover, this general also helped train and arm the Special Police Commandos who have become anti-Sunni death squads. Now he's reportedly funding and arming their enemies, the Sunni militias, who have supposedly stopped shooting us for a while. (There are also splits between Shiia groups, and possibly others.) Our own troops and mercenaries are now caught in a multi-party bloodbath that their own general enabled. If you were a U.S. soldier patrolling the streets as part of our occupation of Iraq, would you have trouble with the tag?

Patrick, Bartlesville Oklahoma   September 12th, 2007 3:36 am ET

I respect Kerry so much more for coming out against this ad. MoveOn is trying to completely take hostage the democratic party. The far left is quickly becoming the mainstream of the democratic party and its getting hard for moderate democratic politicians to come out against it. Heaven forbid you support the way if you are a liberal, it's almost impossible to hold both positions these days. MoveOn should be rejected by the main stream democrats before it gains too much power.

Chip Celina OH   September 11th, 2007 7:47 am ET

I didn't like Kerry during the 2004 campaign, he always 'had a plan' but never any details. This is a good move on his part. It's name calling for the sake of name calling. The Senator was right to denounce it whetheer you agree with MoveOn's position or not.

Pickles, Monaca, PA   September 11th, 2007 7:42 am ET

Kerry didn't have the spine to conduct a serious campaign against Bush in the last election. He's pathetic and I don't want to listen to his opinion about anything.

Mike Dallas, TX   September 11th, 2007 3:59 am ET

Senator Kerry has very little credibility after his 2004 awful campaign.

Sam, IA   September 11th, 2007 3:53 am ET

I figured this ticker would pull in the hate radio , koolaid drinking crowd. Who better to point out moveons over the top attack against a military person than one who was attacked and defamed himself. Thank You Mr. Kerry for your service and your integrity.

Asheville, NC   September 11th, 2007 3:30 am ET

It high time to hear powerful groups such as move on to start turning the heat up on this disgrace of a president and his puppet staff. As to Kerry he is nothing..he did not have what it took to win the white house and I am pissed I voted for the moron. As the husband of a fallen solider I say it is time to bring back the troops and get the hell out of Iraq. The blood of my wife and her fellow soldiers is on the hands of every bush puppet white house staff that takes part in this..including this disgrace of a general..he should remove his uniform and not soil it with his disgraceful soul.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   September 11th, 2007 2:45 am ET

You still don't get it Sen. Kerry. All's fair in love and war, and poilitics is war. The republicans cut you apart with their Swift Boat tactics, while you sat there not knowing which way to turn.
Bush has gotten rid of the generals who had the courage to disagree with the way his has conducted the war in Iraq. If the democrats did not become the majority in congress in the last election we would not even be having these hearings, would we? So don't knock "MoveOn" they're fighting back against the rightwing conservatives who have been beating up on the democrats since Reagan took office.
"MoveOn" has said no more, and are fighting back. Try it you'll like it.

Moveon.org shoots itself in the foot… : Herd Watching   September 11th, 2007 2:18 am ET

[...] in their head or a political aspiration has condemned the ad or at least distanced themselves. The latter group (in both cases) includes John Kerry. who was way to wishy washy to actually go on record with anything like condemnation (no shock [...]

John, Lynchburg VA   September 11th, 2007 12:28 am ET

This country was born out of different ideas and different opinions. The problem exists in Moveon's inability to get their facts straight on a consistent basis. They remind me of Stalin's thought police or Mao's red party without any teeth, just a lot of noise. I think they haven't made a salient point politically in over a year. It's all screeching opinions without any doable solutions from them. Turn on the TV and listen to white noise its just as effective. America needs solutions not more of the same.

ToddonCapeCod   September 10th, 2007 11:58 pm ET

Kerry's always finding ways of undermining our troops and their leaders, much like he did in 1971

ToddonCapeCod   September 10th, 2007 11:57 pm ET

Oh please!
What is this with the sudden distancing themselves from the moonbats of MoveOn? First Harry Reid, now Kerry.
Because they know if they don't, it will definitely mean a lost majority and a lost White House next year, so they have to say this.

Steven in Charleston, SC   September 10th, 2007 11:06 pm ET

I have always respected Senator Kerry, even if I didn't always agree with him. But he has greatly dimished himself in my eyes with his recent comments criticizing MoveOn.org.

What he, Fred Thompson, the RNC, and everyone else criticizing the ad seem to miss is that MILLIONS of Americans are fighting mad. We truly do feel betrayed — betrayed by our President, betrayed by our Congress, and now it appears that our Military leaders are betraying our fighting force — good, decent men and women who are simply trying to serve their country.

So yes, we feel betrayed, and we use a mouthpiece such as MoveOn to express our displeasure. And one more key point Sen. Kerry seems to have missed — unlike the Swift Boat Veterans campaign, which was funded by a few shaddowy, wealthy individuals — MoveOn collects small donations from millions of supporters. We feel angry and betrayed, and we are voicing our displeasure, which is our RIGHT as American citizens.

Amy, FL   September 10th, 2007 10:56 pm ET

The Dems hate this country, they want us to lose in Iraq…blah blah…When will the republican politicos get another mantra? These are old and only play on the simple minded. God willing the American people will see through it this time around.

Steve, Ithaca, NY   September 10th, 2007 10:55 pm ET

I find it odd that the NYTimes normally charges over $167,000 for a full-page one-day ad in their publication, yet MoveOn only paid $65,000. (the NYTimes price quote came from their webpage while ABC's website has the amount the NYTimes charged MoveOn.)

Why does the extreme left fringe group get such a massive discount?

James D. Dopp Palm Coast, FL   September 10th, 2007 9:38 pm ET

It is so sad to see the people of the US degenerate into name callers and labelers who are unable to engage in mature debate of the issues. I am sure the founding fathers would be proud that people invite fellow Americans to leave the country for disagreeing or label them 'traitors' or 'betrayers' for having a different perspective. Where are the adults?

Bill Eagle, St. Helens Oregon   September 10th, 2007 9:12 pm ET

Too bad that you don't have the guts that Move on's editors have. They, at least are standing up for America, not corporate interests.

The only way we will get out of this nasty war, is if we stop mining the country and establish something like the Marshal plan to help Iraqi's, not US Corporations, get their country back on its feet.

Tom Dedham, Mass   September 10th, 2007 8:32 pm ET

I also don't think our Vietnam vets liked it much when you said "they raped and pillaged, murdered etc, etc, reminicent of "Ghenghis Khan". Who??

He has been on vacation for many months and now "Liveshot" is hopping in front of cameras (his only other vices being a gigilo or Kennedy's coat holder) to make it appear that he too like the general was unfairly scapegoated.

This General by the way was UNANIMOUSLY nominated by Dems and Repubs and was quoted by the "left" when he was speaking the truth when things were going badly, but now he is speaking the truth again that things are a "bit" better and he sucks and is a liar, lapdog or a treasonous betrayer.

Thank you Moveon for reminding us how bleeped up you people are, how bleeped up any Democrat will be for siding with you and you have been exposed for all to see.

Vinny, NYC, NY   September 10th, 2007 8:07 pm ET

Although I was never a big fan of Kerry, I didn't like the ads in 2004 attacking Kerry's service in the Navy. I am glad that Kerry was able to see past partisan politics and speak out against the ridiculous moveon ad, as many other democrats have.

sadamerica, Portland, Oregon   September 10th, 2007 7:57 pm ET

the hate spewed in this those comments are sad. we are all americans, and I don't think Sen Kerry hates this country anymore than Sen John Warner R-Virginia who is not in agreement with this war. We should still be able to stand by each other if we disagree, without that there is no democracy. The "R" and "D" next to peoples names didn't use to denote such hatred. NOt all dems are bad and not all gop'rs are bad. Come one people, what happened to the "united" in united states. This country is in a sad state. we are all americans and I think we all love this country, even Duke Cunningham R-California, who embezzeled over a million dollars from this country, he didn't hate america, he jsut got greedy. Sad!!!

Scott Malensek, Akron, Ohio   September 10th, 2007 7:25 pm ET

Everyone wants out of Iraq (though for political reasons many will pretend there's a cabal that doesn't), but this MoveOn bit is completely out of line with the 56% of the nation that thinks the war is winnable. Maybe that's why the Democrats' Congress has an approval barely HALF as "high" as W's. They must be doing something terribly wrong to go from the post election high to the lowest recorded approval for Congress in history.

Mike, Milwaukee, WI   September 10th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

So people who want this war to come to a close hate this country? WOW that's breaking news!

MCD, San Francisco, CA   September 10th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

Oh, Cory, true to form… if you are against the war then you must be a traitor!!! Do you even KNOW what this country is all about?! Did you fail history?! Also, if I might just point out to you, the MAJORITY of the people in this country want us to leave Iraq!

M. Shai, Salt Lake City, UT   September 10th, 2007 6:59 pm ET

Strange, I don't recall this much of an uproar over the Swift Boat ads, directed at another "decorated veteran". In my opinion the grunts deserve more of our respect than their illustrious generals.

Jay   September 10th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

I don't care what side of the Iraq issue you are on, MoveOn's characterization of the General is disgusting. It shows their complete lack of class and character. General Petraeus is doing his best to follow the orders of his commander in chief, in a war that Congress approved and has yet to vote to terminate, all the while trying to protect his troops. To call him a traitor is beyond scandalous. I hope he's allowed under military law to sue them. I would.

Tom, Anaheim, CA   September 10th, 2007 6:19 pm ET

Kerry told CNN, adding “who I think under any circumstances serves with the best interests of our country.”

I say to John Kerry, prove to me that he serves the best interests of our country under any circumstances. I am skeptical that a elite level general military officer does that. Like I said, prove it with details.

Rick Vanderhook   September 10th, 2007 6:06 pm ET

Sorry, JFK, but you and your fellow Dems have pandered to, romanced, and mainstreamed these MoveOn clowns into your sorry party . . . now you're stuck with them. Good luck trying to scrape them off the bottom of your shoe.

Cory, San Diego, CA   September 10th, 2007 5:24 pm ET

The ONLY ones doing any betraying are MoveOn and other leftists in this country who want to see us lose in Iraq. The Dems have made this bed when they chose to side with those who hate this country, and now they need to lie in it.

Kerry Hater San Diego, CA.   September 10th, 2007 5:23 pm ET

I don't understand why the traitor Kerry is upset about it. His fellow Congress critters are calling the good Gen a liar also.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   September 10th, 2007 5:16 pm ET

Sorry if MoveOn.org offended your Boston Brahmin sensibilities, Senator, but you were also too timid to attack Bush in your campaign when he needed attacking. End this war now or not.

Justin, Kansas City, MO   September 10th, 2007 4:57 pm ET

As a liberal democrat, it's very disappointing to see an ad like this. Just when more people are starting to see things our way, MoveOn pulls out its gun and shoots itself — and therefore, Democrats — in the foot.

Also, can't we come up with smarter ads than this? Aside from its sophomoric shock value, the wordplay on which the ad is based (Petraeus = Betray Us) is just so stupid and unimaginative.

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