MoveOn.org shutters its 527
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/20/art.moveon.cnn.jpg caption="MoveOn.org is getting out of the 527 business."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - The political advocacy group MoveOn.org is getting out of the 527 business.
"While MoveOn Political Action has always been funded exclusively by small donors like you, we've held open the MoveOn.org Voter Fund – a separate "527" organization – which can raise money from big donors. We haven't actually taken any big-money checks since 2004," MoveOn.org Executive Director Eli Pariser wrote in an email to the group's members. "In light of the new politics offered by Barack Obama, I've come to believe it's time to close the 527 forever."
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has said he does not want "527s" and outside, independent groups advertising on his behalf in the general election. A "527" is an political organization that can raise money in high dollar amounts and launch political advocacy campaigns, including television ads.
Past prominent "527s" include the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," a group that in 2004 attacked Sen. John Kerry's war record and arguably contributed to him losing his White House bid. But few had the impact of MoveOn's.
The group will retain its political action committee, which can take donations up to $5,000, though the group says the average donation hovers in the $50 range.
Even though its 527 is going away, MoveOn.org is not completely heeding Obama's request to stay off the airwaves. Last week, the group teamed up with one of the biggest labor unions, the American Federartion of State, County and Municipal Employees, to go up with a national television ad criticizing Sen. John McCain's position on the Iraq war.
The impact of outside groups this cycle is still up for debate. Since Obama's request some Democratic leaning groups have seen their donor base thin, forcing them to abandon paid media plans and instead shift gears to focus more on research and message. Obama referenced the past power of 527 groups as a factor in deciding to opt out of public financing for the general election.
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Another example of Obama's transparency and keeping his word. Can we say the same about john mcwar. How any one cannot vote for Obama is mind boggling, he is a gift to us.
Just go away. Barack also should go away with you.
admirable, but what happens when the republican 527's start throwing mud? just wondering... will you reopen?
Obama – already changing how things are done, for the better.
Yet, somehow, all the McCain/Hillary nuts convince themselves that he is evil for turning down money from lobbyists/pacs. Pathological lunacy I guess.
Whatever will Obama do now to get out his "message"
Wow. Now THAT'S change; I presume this was coordinated. Obama's decision to reject public financing makes more sense in this light. Now . . . tell McCain you'll accept public financing, but only if he calls off his 527 dogs as well.
Who was that that was saying Obama couldn't control outside groups in his party? I'm guessing that McCain won't be telling those 527s that support him to disarm. That's going to be McCain's entire fall campaign. Slime and smear.
MoveOn.org has convinced me. I am supporting John McCain.
Let's see if McSame's little swift boat buddies have the same integrity as MoveOn.org...If Herr Rove is involved I'd say that would be a porcine No...
Talk the talk, walk the walk Obama.
Where is John McShame?
they sold out to highest bidder and thr trader wanting to run our country obama shame on them
Changing the face of politics one day at a time, this is what I call Change!..
Obama 08!!
It's a lot easier for Sorro's and his liberal billionaires to send their money to Obama via the internet, and multiple users..
I always believed that organizations Independent of Senator Obama's or Senator McCain'sCampaign were speaking on behalf of the American people. I believe that they have every right to speak out. I only ask that they not lie or mislead the American people with their advertisements.
Nooooooo .. don't go! If you go, who's gonna counter the Republican smut campaign?
I think it's shrewd of the Obama campaign to get people used to seeing him standing at a podium with a presidential-type seal on it.
Change is coming. This whole election will be in the record books. Yes We Can!!!
Obama '08
Change is already starting. You can be the new majority who can lead this nation out of a long political darkness – Democrats, Independents and Republicans who are tired of the division and distraction that has clouded Washington; who know that we can disagree without being disagreeable; who understand that if we mobilize our voices to challenge the money and influence that’s stood in our way and challenge ourselves to reach for something better, there’s no problem we can’t solve – no destiny we cannot fulfill. WE are the ones – WE have been waiting for.
Meanwhile the McCain 527's are just getting started. This truly IS change we can beleive in. Let's see if McCain has the power to do the same on his end. I seriously doubt it.
Obama for America
I am not sure if this is a smart move.
I respect the fact that Moveon.org wants to respect the new type of politics that Obama is tring to bring. However, Senator Obama will be bombarded with other republicab 527 groups.
This is a sham...moveon will try to use George Soros and other rich people's money to spew their venom, regardless is if it through their 527, or simply through their organization which defamed General Petreaus. I dont trust Obama, since he lied many times throughout the elections. He supports back door 527s who operate under a different name, but do the same thing, as long as it helps him.
Its amazing that we have a system set up called "public financing", which is really tax money and allows for 527's (which aren't much different than lobbying groups)... Obama raised his millions of dollars through true PUBLIC FINANCING – IE – the public went to his website and donated – thus financing his campaign – yet the republicans would have us demonize him for this. Who came up with these ridiculous names in the first place?
Does anybody really have a problem with the fact that SO many people support Obama and are willing to donate to his campaign out of their own pockets? Would these people rather Exxon pay for Obamas campaign as they've paid for McCains???
The new politics offered by Obama? You got that right- he won't accept public funding, apparently the first candidate to do so since 1976 law was put in place.
That's new politics, all right.
It's all about leader ship coming from the top...
Change We Can Believe In
Senator Obama is that change...
DAMM....CAN'T YOU ALL SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE A LEADER. HE IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE FACE OF POLITICS AND HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
THIS MAN IS SOMEONE WE NEED RUNNING WASHINGTON