MoveOn ad raises money for GOP

Washington Times:

Capitol Hill Republicans are getting a much-needed fundraising boost from a newspaper advertisement in which the liberal group MoveOn.org accused Iraq war commander Gen. David H. Petraeus of lying, strategists say.

Republican candidates and party committees are frequently citing the ad in fundraising solicitations and campaign materials to attack Democratic opponents for not condemning the ad, which was published in the New York Times three weeks ago today.

While it's too early to tell how much money Republicans have raised using the tactic, party spokesmen say it has been an effective fundraising tool.

"The [MoveOn ad] issue is very hot with our base right now," said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher. "We are using the controversy to reinforce our message that the Democrats in the Senate are beholden to the liberal wing of the party — and this is a perfect example of [their] pandering to the extreme wing."

The NRSC used the ad in a recent e-mail fundraising pitch, and has circulated an online petition to supporters asking Congressional Democrats to return any contributions they've received from MoveOn. The NRSC also has posted an ad on YouTube accusing Democrats of being beholden to group.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the fundraising arm for House Republicans, has criticized several House Democrats for receiving MoveOn donations and for voting against a resolution last week to condemn the ad.

While the tactic isn't expected to reverse the Democrats strong fundraising advantage over Republicans for 2008 House races, the MoveOn ad has provided the chamber's Republicans an easy political target.

"Not only has the MoveOn debacle confirmed the American public's suspicion that Democrats, since the 1960s, remain beholden to the far-left fringe of their party's base, but it also speaks to the more current problem that Democrats face, which is their inability to act decisively on any measure," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said.

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Republicans see Democrats as boxed into a corner. The public does not like the ad, but MoveOn has "bought" the Democrats and is insisting that they stay bought. I think MoveOn will be a whipping post for Republicans through 2008. It is now a net negative despite its money, and smart Republicans are not going to let voters forget it.