WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani Wednesday sharply criticized the MoveOn.org newspaper ad attacking Gen. David Petraeus, and said New York Sen. Hillary Clinton was expressing 'political venom' during her recent questioning of the general.
During an appearance on the "Randy and Spiff Radio Show" in Atlanta, Georgia, the Republican White House hopeful called the ad "one of the more disgusting things that has happened in American politics," and said "it's unfortunate" more Democratic candidates haven't spoken out against the liberal advocacy group's ad.
"I think the failure of the Democratic candidates to really condemn that, given how much money Moveon.org spends on behalf of Democratic candidates, which is millions if not hundreds of millions, is really, I really think it’s very, very unfortunate," he said
Giuliani then scolded Clinton directly for her comments during Petraeus' testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday when she said his progress report required "a willing suspension of disbelief."
"I really do think to accuse a general of the ‘willing suspension of disbelief,' - particularly in the atmosphere that Moveon.org has created with these terrible attacks - I think that’s not the way in a responsible way to go about forging the foreign policy of the United States and the military policy of the United States," he said.
What we need right now is a reasoned account, we need statesmanship not political venom," he added.
The ad in question was published in the New York Times Monday and displayed a large black-and-white picture of Petraeus with the caption "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" Below the picture, the ad alleged the general would likely be untruthful in his testimony on Iraq for political reasons.
For the record, Moveon.org supporters have contributed over $108,000 to Democratic presidential candidates this year through the group’s political action committee, according to Federal Election Commission records. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, led his party’s field in contributions received through Moveon.org, with just over $30,000 since the start of his campaign.
Related: Lawmakers seek to condemn Petraeus 'betray us' ad
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney